Surah
Juz
The first seven verses of Surah al-Muddathir were among the earliest revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They were revealed after a period of suspension in revelation, during which the Prophet ﷺ experienced deep distress. However, each time he reached the edge, the Angel Gabriel appeared, reassuring him of his prophethood and calming his fears. The rest of the Surah, from verses 8 to 56, was revealed during the first Hajj season after the public preaching of Islam had begun in Mecca. This indicates a later period of revelation when the Prophet's ﷺ mission had gained momentum and was actively confronting opposition from the Quraysh.
The initial revelation to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consisted of the first five verses of Surah al-Alaq (The Clinging Substance). These verses introduced him to the concept of prophethood and the duty of conveying God's message to humanity. After a period of suspension in revelation, during which the Prophet ﷺ experienced distress, the revelation resumed with the first seven verses of Surah al-Muddathir. In these verses, the Prophet ﷺ was commanded to arise and warn the people of their way of life and to proclaim the greatness of God. He was instructed to purify his life and carry out his mission sincerely, enduring hardships with patience for the sake of his Lord. As the Prophet ﷺ began preaching Islam and reciting the Quranic revelations, the Quraysh in Mecca grew alarmed and plotted to discredit him during the Hajj season. They settled on accusing him of sorcery, claiming that his message was causing divisions within families. However, their efforts to discredit him only served to spread his message further throughout Arabia. The Surah concludes by emphasising that God does not depend on anyone's faith to fulfil His will. The Quran serves as a clear admonition to humanity, and those who choose to accept it may do so willingly. God has the power to forgive those who repent and turn to Him in piety, regardless of their past actions.
