The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 87
CHAPTER 51 ADH-DHARIYĀT (Revealed before Hijrah) Title, Date of Revelation, and Context This is a Meccan Sūrah. Like its predecessor it was revealed early in the Holy Prophet's ministry. Its contents and style seem to support this view. Nöldeke assigns its revelation to the fourth year of the Call. It derives its title from its first word-Adh-Dhāriyāt. It has 61 verses. The preceding Surah had dealt with two resurrections a spiritual resurrection which was to be brought about by the teaching of the Quran, and the Final Resurrection in the life after death, the former resurrection being cited as an argument in support of the latter. In the present Surah it is stated that a body of highly righteous men would come into existence through the influence of Quranic teachings on their lives. Like moisture-laden clouds which give rain to vast areas of parched and burnt land and make them blossom into new life, this holy band of righteous believers, having themselves awakened to a new spiritual life would carry the Quranic Message to the ends of the earth, sweeping all opposition before their onward march. The prediction, seemingly impossible of fulfilment at the time of revelation of the Surah, would constitute, when turned into a palpable reality, a strong argument to establish the fact of the Great Resurrection in the afterlife. Subject Matter The Surah says that whenever a Divine Messenger appears in the world to tell his people that there is a life beyond the grave in which they will have to account for their deeds they laugh him to scorn, and oppose and persecute him. But from among these very people there arise a company of good men who accept the Divine Message. The Rejecters are punished and the believers receive God's favours. The Surah proceeds to cite the case of Patriarch Abraham who was visited by certain messengers who came to tell him that a dreadful fate awaited the people of Lot because of their iniquities and unnatural and highly immoral practices. Next, it briefly refers to the punishment that overtook Pharaoh, ‘Ād, Thamūd and the people of Noah. Towards the end the Surah draws pointed attention to the supreme object of man's creation which is to cultivate and demonstrate in himself Divine attributes, and to discharge fully and faithfully his obligations to God and his fellow beings. 2983