Surah
Juz
According to a story told by Bukhari and Muslim, this chapter was the first one in which a verse required people to prostrate during recitation. It's said that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited this chapter publicly, and both believers and non-believers were present. When he reached the verse that required prostration, everyone, even the leaders who opposed him, fell down in prostration with him in awe of these powerful verses. Only one man, Umayyah bin Khalaf, didn't prostrate and instead rubbed a little dust on his forehead. Later, he died as a disbeliever. Another witness, Muttalib bin Abi Wada’ah, who wasn't yet Muslim, confirmed this incident. He admitted to not prostrating at the time but made up for it by always doing it whenever he recited this chapter. The chapter was likely revealed during Ramadan in the fifth year of Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mission. Before this, a small group of his followers had emigrated to Abyssinia. When news of the prostration incident spread, some thought the people of Mecca had embraced Islam, but that wasn't the case. The conflict between Islam and disbelief continued, leading to more people leaving Mecca for Abyssinia. This chapter reveals the challenges Muhammad ﷺ faced in spreading Islam. For the first five years of his prophethood, he could only share revelations in private because of strong opposition. When he finally recited publicly, even his opponents were moved, though they later made excuses to save face.
The Surah serves as a stern admonition to the non-believers of Mecca, cautioning them against their dismissive and hostile attitude towards the Quran and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It begins by refuting the accusations that Muhammad ﷺ is misled or fabricating teachings, asserting instead that his message is divinely inspired. The Surah highlights that Muhammad ﷺ has witnessed angelic revelations and profound signs from God, underscoring the authenticity of his mission. Furthermore, the Surah rebukes the non-believers for adhering to baseless beliefs and idolatry, such as worshipping deities like Lāt, Manat, and Uzza, which lack any divine authority. It challenges their misconceptions and urges them to seek knowledge and truth rather than blindly following their desires. Moreover, the Surah emphasises God's sovereignty over the universe and underscores the importance of righteousness. It warns that God will judge individuals based on their actions, regardless of their self-perceived righteousness or claims of purity. Additionally, the Surah reiterates fundamental principles of religion that were preached by previous prophets, emphasising continuity rather than novelty in Muhammad's ﷺ message. It draws parallels with historical events, such as the destruction of past civilizations due to their disobedience, to highlight the consequences of rebellion against God. Finally, the Surah concludes with a powerful reminder of the impending judgement, urging the non-believers to heed the warning and submit to God. Despite their initial resistance, even the staunchest deniers were moved by the message, as evidenced by their prostration alongside the Prophet ﷺ.
