Surah
Juz
This Surah marks the beginning of the third stage of Prophethood in Makkah, as previously outlined in the introduction to Surah 6. This stage spanned from the fifth to the tenth year of Prophethood. Unlike the second stage, where the Quraysh mainly used ridicule, threats, and false propaganda, during this stage, they resorted to persecution, physical harm, and economic pressure. This harsh treatment led many Muslims to emigrate from Arabia to Abyssinia. Those who remained faced a social and economic boycott, and the Prophet ﷺ and his family were besieged in Shi’ib Abi Talib. The third stage began with the death of Abu Talib and Khadijah, influential figures who had provided some support. Their absence marked the start of severe persecution, culminating in the fourth stage, where the Prophet ﷺ and his companions were compelled to emigrate from Makkah. The Surah, likely revealed at the start of the third stage, addresses the situation before the migration to Abyssinia. It shares the story of 'The Sleepers of the Cave' to offer comfort and encouragement to the persecuted Muslims, demonstrating how righteous people throughout history have preserved their faith in challenging times.
This Surah addresses three questions posed by the polytheists of Makkah in collaboration with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) to test the Prophet's ﷺ divine knowledge: (1) Who were 'The Sleepers of the Cave'? (2) What is the real story of Khidr? (3) What do you know about Dhul-Qarnain? These questions and their associated stories belonged to the history of Christians and Jews, unfamiliar in the Arabian Peninsula. The polytheists used them to challenge the Prophet's ﷺ knowledge, but God provided complete answers and utilised these stories in the conflict between Islam and disbelief. Regarding 'The Sleepers of the Cave,' the Prophet ﷺ was informed that they believed in the same Monotheistic doctrine presented in the Quran. Their situation resembled that of the persecuted Muslims in Makkah, highlighting a warning to the Makkah chiefs mistreating the nascent Muslim community. The persecutors of 'The Sleepers' mirrored the behaviour of the Quraysh disbelievers toward Muslims. The story served as a caution to Makkah's leaders, instructing them not to compromise with persecutors and not to prioritise the chiefs over the followers. The Prophet ﷺ was guided not to consider the chiefs more important than his own followers, and the chiefs were reminded to focus on the eternal life of the hereafter rather than the temporary life of this world.
