Period of Revelation
Its subject matter so closely resembles that of Sura Ad-Duhathat both these Sura seem to have been revealed in about the same period under similar conditions. According to Hadrat Abdullah bin Abbas
it was sent down in Makkah just after wad-Duha.
Theme and Subject Matter
The aim and object of this Sura too is to console and encourage the Holy Messenger (upon whom be Allah's peace). Before his call he never had to encounter the conditions which he suddenly had to encounter after it when he embarked on his mission of inviting the people to Islam. This was by itself a great revolution in his own life of which he had no idea in his life before Prophethood. No sooner had he started preaching the message of Islam than the same society which had esteemed him with unique honour
turned hostile to him. The same relatives and friends
the same clansmen and neighbours
who used to treat him with the highest respect
began to shower him with abuse and invective. No one in Makkah was prepared to listen to him; he began to be ridiculed and mocked in the street and on the road; and at every step he had to face new difficulties. Although gradually he became accustomed to the hardships
even much severer ones
yet the initial stage was very discouraging for him. That is why first Sura Ad-Duhawas sent down to console him
and then this Sura. In it
at the outset
Allah says: "We have favoured you
O Prophet
with three great blessings; therefore you have no cause to be disheartened. The first is the blessing of Sharh Sadr (opening up of the breast)
the second of removing from you the heavy burden that was weighing down your back before the call
and the third of exalting your renown the like of which has never been granted to any man before. Further below in the notes we have explained what is implied by each of these blessings and how great and unique these blessings indeed are! After this
the Lord and Sustainer of the universe has reassured His Servant and Messenger (upon whom be peace) that the period of hardships which he is passing through
is not very long
but following close behind it there is also a period of ease. This same thing has been described in Sura Ad-Duha
saying: "Every later period is better for you than the former period
and soon your Lord will give you so much that you will be well pleased." In conclusion
the Holy Prophet has been instructed
so as to say
You can develop the power to bear and resist the hardships of the initial stage only by one means
and it is this: `When you are free from your occupations
you should devote yourself to the labour and toil of worship
and turn all your attention exclusively to your Lord'.
This same instruction has been given him in much greater detail in Sura Al-Muzzammil1-9.