Surah
Juz
The internal evidence within the Surah suggests that it was revealed in Madinah. The Surah warns against hypocrites who pray only to be seen, a phenomenon more prevalent in Madinah where Islam had gained strength. In Madinah, people, out of expediency, joined congregational prayers for social acceptance. In contrast, Makkah presented a different scenario, where believers faced persecution and prayed secretly. The hypocrites in Makkah were those who recognized the truth but hesitated to accept Islam due to fear of losing status or facing hardships. This distinction aligns with the descriptions of hypocrites in other Madinan revelations, like Surah 29: Al-Ankabut.
The Surah's theme revolves around illustrating the moral traits that develop in individuals who deny the existence of the Hereafter. It contrasts the behaviour of disbelievers who openly reject the concept of the Hereafter with that of hypocrites who claim to be Muslim but lack belief in the Hereafter and its consequences. By portraying these contrasting attitudes, the Surah emphasises the importance of belief in the Hereafter for nurturing strong, steadfast, and virtuous character traits.
