Sūrah al-Tīn (95) — The Qur’ān Translated

Introduction to this pair

Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The law of retribution which is validated by the first sūrah is used to warn a prominent chief of the Quraysh in the second one. He is informed that if he does not mend his ways, he shall become a victim of this unchanging law. Both sūrahs apparently address the Prophet (sws); however, a little deliberation shows that the actual addressees are the leaders of the Quraysh whose defiant and rebellious attitude was now reaching its peak. It is evident from the topics of the sūrahs that they were revealed in Makkah, just before the Prophet’s migration to Madīnah, in the phase of conclusive communication of the truth (itmām al-ḥujjah) of his preaching mission.

The theme of Sūrah al-Tīn is to validate the Day of Judgement and to warn the Quraysh with reference to it that the truth has been communicated to them in a conclusive manner in every respect; hence, they are left with nothing but stubbornness and obstinacy to deny the Day of Judgement.

The theme of Sūrah al-‘Alaq is to sound a note of severe warning and threat to an eminent leader of the Quraysh that if even after being taught and reminded through a Book like the Qur’ān he is persisting in his arrogance, he should get ready to face its consequence: very soon the guards of the Almighty shall drag him and cast him into the deep pit of Hell, and none of his comrades and associates will be able to help him.

The mountains of Fig and Olive bear witness and the vastness of mount of Sinai and this secure city of yours too that when We created man [in these places], he was in the best of moulds at that time. Then We reverted him to a low state when he himself wanted to become low. As for those who adhered to faith and did righteous deeds, for them shall be a reward unending.