Period of Revelation
The subject matter and the style clearly show that it is one of the earliest Suras to be
revealed at Makkah.
Theme and Subject Matter
It has two themes: the Hereafter and the institution of Apostleship. In the first six verses
the first stage of the Resurrection has been mentioned when the sun will lose its light
the stars will scatter
the mountains will be uprooted and will disperse
the people will become heedless of their dearest possessions
the beasts of the jungle will be stupefied and will gather together
and the seas will boil up. Then in the next seven verses the second stage has been
described when the souls will be reunited with the bodies
the records will be laid open
the people will be called to account for their crimes
the heavens will be unveiled
and Hell and Heaven will be brought into full view. After depicting the Hereafter thus
man has been left to ponder his own self and deeds
saying: "Then each man shall himself know what he has brought with him." After this
the theme of Apostleship has been taken up. In this the people of Makkah have been
addressed
as if to say "Whatever Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) is
presenting before you
is not the bragging of a madman
nor an evil suggestion inspired by Satan
but the word of a noble
exalted and trustworthy messenger sent by God
whom Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) has seen with his own
eyes in the bright horizon of the clear sky in broad day light. Whither then are you going
having turned away from this teaching?"
