Sūrah al-‘Aṣr

Introduction to this pair

Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The first sūrah verifies the law of retribution of the Almighty, while the second sūrah, with reference to this very law, warns the leadership of the Quraysh of dire consequences.

Both sūrahs are directed at the leadership of the Quraysh. It is evident from their topics that, like the previous sūrahs, they were also revealed in Makkah a little before Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) migration to Madīnah in the phase of conclusive communication of the truth (itmām al-ḥujjah) of his preaching mission.

The theme of Sūrah al-‘Aṣr is to validate God’s law of retribution according to which the divine court of justice was about to deliver its verdict about the Quraysh.

The theme of Sūrah al-Humazah is to warn, with reference to this very law, the leadership of the Quraysh of their fate. These leaders were inebriated with the conceit of their wealth and were adamant on showing a rebellious, slanderous and contemptuous attitude towards the Prophet (sws).