Sūrah 81
Sūrah al-Takwīr
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. In the first sūrah, the basis of argument is the authenticity of the Qur’ān, and in the second one, it is the signs of the Almighty in a human being’s creation.
The sūrahs are directed at the leadership of the Quraysh, and it is evident from their topics that like the previous sūrahs, they were also revealed in Makkah in the phase of open warning (indhār-i ‘ām) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
The themes of both sūrahs is to warn their addressees with reference to the huge upheaval that will occur on the Day of Judgement: this great cataclysm will only take place to inform them what each person has sent forward and left behind.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
When the sun ceases to shine, when the stars are bedimmed, when the mountains are set moving, when ten-month pregnant camels are left untended, when wild beasts [forgetting all their enmities] are herded together at one place, when the seas burst forth, when souls are grouped [according to their deeds], when the infant girl who was buried alive is asked for what sin was she slain, when the scrolls are laid open, when the hide of the sky is stripped apart, when Hell is set ablaze, when Paradise is brought close, at that time [O People!] Every person [among you] will know what he has brought forward.
[This is the message of the Qur’ān. What has it got to do with the devils?]
Therefore, No! [This Book certainly is not inspired by some devil.] I present as witness the stars that recede, traverse [the skies, pelting fire on these devils, then] hide, and the night when it retreats and the dawn when [being relieved of the night’s burden] it breathes that this indeed is the word brought by a noble messenger, endued with great power, held in very high honour before the Lord of the Throne. He is obeyed there and is also very trustworthy.1
And [O People of the Quraysh!] your companion is also not one possessed. In reality, he saw this noble messenger on the absolutely clear horizon. [You know that] he has never been avid for the Unseen. [So, certainly not!] This is not the utterance of an accursed devil.
Where then are you wandering about? This is nothing but a reminder to the people of the world, for those among you who intend to take the right path. And you cannot intend unless the Almighty intends so [according to His law].