The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 102
CHAPTER 52 AṬ-ṬŪR (Revealed before Hijrah) Title, Date of Revelation, and Context This Surah, like its two predecessors, was revealed at Mecca in the early period of the Call. Nöldeke places it after chapter 51, while according to Muir it was revealed somewhat later. The contents of the Surah show that it was revealed at a time when opposition to Islam had become severe and persistent, and even plots had begun to be hatched against the life of the Holy Prophet. The Surah has 50 verses and takes its title from its second verse. In the preceding Surah attention was drawn to the great spiritual revolution which was to be brought about by the Quran. It was in the fitness of things and quite in accordance with the laws of nature (the Surah stated) that because men had become corrupt and had forsaken God, a new Revelation should have come, like rain that descends upon dry land at the proper time and quickens it into a new life. The Sūrah had ended on the note that like former Prophets the Holy Prophet will meet with severe opposition, but the cause of truth will triumph and disbelievers will be punished. The present Surah refers also to the Biblical prophecies about the Holy Prophet and warns disbelievers that if they persisted in their opposition they will be seized with Divine punishment. Summary The Surah opens with a direct and emphatic reference to the prophecies about the Quran and the Holy Prophet in the Bible, and states that the Bible, the Quran and the Ka'bah all bear evidence to the truth of Islam and the Holy Prophet, and proceeds to warn disbelievers that opposition to truth is never productive of good results and that their power would be broken and disgrace and humiliation would be their lot. But those righteous servants of God who accept the Divine teaching and mould their lives in accordance with it would receive Divine favours. Not only they but also those of their children who followed in their footsteps and led righteous lives would be made to join with them in the Abode of Eternity. Next, the Surah says that the Holy Prophet is neither a soothsayer, nor a madman or a poet but a true Messenger of God, because the great moral and spiritual revolution brought about by him could not be the work of a madman or a poet; nor could the great Divine Book-the Quran that has been revealed to him, be the work of a forger of lies or a fabricator. The Quran has been revealed by the Great Creator of the heavens and the earth. The Prophet seeks no reward from them nor would their plans against him succeed because he is under God's protection. On the contrary Divine punishment would overtake disbelievers and the time of their chastisement is fast approaching. 2998