Sūrah 109
Sūrah al-Kāfirūn
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The first is a declaration of acquittal from the Quraysh, while the second gives glad tidings of divine help and victory to God’s Messenger (sws).
It is evident from the topics of these sūrahs that they were revealed in Makkah at the end of the phase of migration and acquittal (hijrah wa barā’ah) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
Sūrah al-Kāfirūn is directed at the Quraysh, and its theme is to declare acquittal by Muḥammad (sws) from their disbelieving leadership. Such an acquittal, in accordance with the Almighty’s established practice about His messengers, necessarily becomes a prelude to the dominance of the truth for the messenger and his followers.
Sūrah al-Naṣr is addressed to Prophet Muḥammad (sws), and its theme is to give glad tidings to him about the supremacy of Islam, and, as its consequence, to direct him to prepare for his meeting with his Lord.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
Declare you [O Prophet!]: “O Disbelievers! I shall not worship those you worship. And you will never worship [alone] He whom I worship. And [before this] never was I prepared to worship those you have worshipped. And neither were you ever prepared to worship [alone] whom I have been worshipping.
[So, now] to you your religion and to me mine.”