Period of Revelation
The subject matter itself indicates that this Sura was sent down at Makkah in the period when persecution of the Muslims was at its climax and the disbelievers of Makkah were trying their utmost by tyranny and coercion to turn away the new converts from Islam.
Theme and Subject Matter
Its theme is to warn the disbelievers of the evil consequences of the persecution and tyranny that they were perpetrating on the converts to Islam
and to console the believers
so as to say: "If you remain firm and steadfast against tyranny and coercion
you will be rewarded richly for it
and Allah will certainly avenge Himself on your persecutors on your behalf" In this connection
first of all the story of the people of the ditch (ashab al-ukhdud) had been related
who had burnt the believers to death by casting them into pits full of fire. By means of this story the believers and the disbelievers have been taught a few lessons. First
that just as the people of the ditch became worthy of Allah's curse and punishment
so are the chiefs of Makkah also becoming worthy of it. Second
that just as the believers at that time had willingly accepted to sacrifice their lives by being burnt to death in the pits of fire instead of turning away from the faith
so also the believers now should endure every persecution but should never give up the faith. Third
that Gods acknowledging Whom displeases the disbelievers and is urged on by the believers
is Dominant and Master of the Kingdom of the earth and heavens; He is self-praiseworthy and is watching what the two groups are striving for. Therefore
it is certain that the disbelievers will not only be punished in Hell for their disbelief but
more than that
they too will suffer punishment by fire as a fit recompense for their tyranny and cruelties. Likewise
this also is certain that those
who believe and follow up their belief with good deeds
should go to Paradise and this indeed is the supreme success. Then the disbelievers have been warned
so as to say: "God's grip is very severe. If you are proud of the strength of your hosts
you should know that the hosts of Pharaoh and Thamud were even stronger and more numerous. Therefore
you should learn a lesson from the fate they met. God's power has so encompassed you that you cannot escape His encirclement
and the Qur'an that you are bent upon belying
is unchangeable: it is inscribed in the Preserved Tablet
which cannot be corrupted in any way."