Period of Revelation
From the internal evidence of the subject matter it appears that this Sura too was revealed in the same stage of the Holy Prophet's life at Makkah in which the Sura Adh-Dhariyatwas revealed. While going through it one can clearly feel that during the period of its revelation the Holy Prophet (peace and bleesings of Allah be upon him) was being showered with objections and accusations but there is no evidence yet to show that severe persecution of the Muslims had started.
Subject Matter and Topics
The subject matter of its first section (vv. 1-28) is the Hereafter. As arguments for its possibility
necessity and occurrence had already been given in Sura Adh-Dhariyat
these have not been repeated here. However
swearing an oath by some realities and signs which testify to the Hereafter
it has been stated most emphatically that it will surely come to pass
and none has the power to prevent its occurrence. Then
it has been stated as to what will be the fate of those who deny it when it actually occurs
and how will those who believe in it and adopt the way of piety and righteousness accordingly
be blessed by Allah. Then
in the second section (vv. 29-49) the (Quraish:>diQuraish} chiefs' attitude towards the message of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah he upon him) has been criticised. They called him a sorcerer
a madman
or a poet
and would thus mislead the common people against him so that they should not pay any serious attention to the message he preached. They looked upon him as a calamity that had suddenly descended on them and would openly wish that he met with a disaster so that they were rid of him. They accused him of fabricating the Qur'an by himself and of presenting it in the name of Allah
and this was
God forbid
a fraud that he was practising. They would often taunt him
saying that God could not have appointed an ordinary man like him to the office of Prophethood. They expressed great disgust at his invitation and meseage and would avoid him as if he was asking them for a reward for it. They would sit and take counsels together to devise schemes in order to put an end to his mission. And while they did all this they never realized what creeds of ignorance they were involved in and how selflessly and sincerely was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) exerting himself to deliver tbem from their error. While criticising them for this attitude and conduct
Allah has put them certain questions
one after the other
each of which is either an answer to some objection of theirs
or a criticism of some error. Then
it has been said that it would absolutely be of no avail to show them a miracle in order to convince them of his Prophethood
for they were such stubborn people as would misinterpret anything they were shown only to avoid affirming the faith. In the beginning of this section as well as in its end
the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has been given the instruction that he should persistently continue giving his invitation and preaching his message in spite of the accusations and objections of his opponents and enemies
and should endure their resistance patiently till Allah's judgement comes to pass. Besides
he has been consoled
as if to say "Your Lord has not left you alone to face your enemies
after raising you as a Prophet
but He is constantly watching over you. Therefore
endure every hardship patiently till the Hour of His judgement comes
and seek through praising and glorifying your Lord the power that is required for exerting in the cause of Allah under such conditions.