Period of Revelation
Where it was revealed
at Makkah or Madinah
is also disputed. Some commentators say it is a Makki revelation according to most scholars; others say it is a Madani revelation according to most scholars. Ibn Az Zubair and Ata bin Yasar hold the view that it is Madani. Ibn Abbas and Qatadah are reported to have held two views
first that it is Makki
second that it is Madani. Hadrat Aishah regards it as a Makki Sura. Abu Hayyan
author of Bahr al-Muhit
and Abdul Munim ibn al- Faras
author of Ahkam al-Quran
alsa have preferred to regard it as Makki. As for its contents
there is nothing in it to indicate whether it was revealed at Makkah or at Madinah.
Theme and Subject Matter
Its having been placed after Suras Al-Alaqand Al-Qadrin the arrangement of the Quran is very meaningful. Sura Al-Alaqcontains the very first revelation
while Sura Al-Qadrshows as to when it was revealed
and in this Sura it has been explained why it was necessary to send a Messenger along with this Holy Book. First of all the need of sending a Messenger has been explained
saying: The people of the world
be they from among the followers of the earlier scriptures or from among the idolaters
could not possibly be freed from their state of unbelief
until a Messenger was sent whose appearance by itself should be a clear proof of his apostleship
and he should present the Book of God before the people in its original
pristine form
which should be free from every mixture of falsehood corrupting the earlier Divine Books; and which should comprise sound teachings. Then
about the errors of the followers of the earlier Books it has been said that the cause of their straying into different creeds was not that Allah had not provided any guidance to them
but they strayed only after a clear statement of the Right Creed had come to them. From this it automatically follows that they themselves were responsible for their error and deviation. Now
if even after the coming of the clear statement through this Messenger
they continued to stray
their responsibility would further increase. In this very connection
it has been stated that the Prophets who came from Allah and the
Books sent down by Him
did not enjoin anything but that the way of sincere and true service to Allah be adopted
apart from all other ways
no one else's worship
service or obedience be mixed with His
the salatbe established and the zakatbe paid. This same has been the true religion since ever. From this also it automatically follows that the followers of the earlier scriptures
straying from this true religion
have added extraneous things to it
which are false
and Allah's this Messenger has come to invite them back to
the same original faith. In conclusion
it has been pointed out clearly that the followers of the earlier Books and the idolaters who would refuse to acknowledge this Messenger are the worst of creatures: their punishment is an everlasting Hell; and the people who would believe and act righteously
and would spend life in the world in awe of God
are the best of creatures: their reward is eternal Paradise wherein they will live for ever. Allah became well pleased with them and they became well pleased with Allah.