The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 194
CHAPTER 57 AL-HADID (Revealed after Hijrah) Title, Date of Revelation, and Context This is the first of the last ten Medinite Surahs of the Quran which end with chapter 66. It seems to have been revealed after the Conquest of Mecca or the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah, as is clear from the mention of (the Victory) in v. 11 which refers to the Fall of Mecca or, according to some, more appropriately to the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah. The series of the Meccan Surahs which began with Surah As-Saba' and which, with the exception of the three intervening Medinite chapters, i. e. Muḥammad, Al-Fath and Al-Hujurat, had continued without interruption ended with the preceding chapter. This series completes the subject matter of the Meccan Surahs. With the present Surah, however, begins a new series of Medinite chapters which end with Surah At-Tahrim. The Surah takes its title from the word (the iron) occurring in v. 26. In the preceding Surah (v. 79) it was stated that the Quran is ciło to (well-preserved Book), which among other things signifies that the teachings of the Quran are in perfect harmony with natural laws and with the dictates and demands of human nature, reason and common-sense. The present Surah opens with the Divine attributes: the Mighty, the Wise. And quite naturally, the Being Who is Wise and Mighty must have revealed a Book whose teachings are consistent with the laws of nature and with human reason and conscience. And, befittingly the Surah opens with the words "Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares the glory of Allah," and this is because the preceding Surah had ended on the Divine command, viz. "So glorify the name of thy Lord, the Incomparably Great. " It is significant that five, out of these ten Medinite Surahs, open with the words, "Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth declares the glory of Allah, the Mighty, the Wise. " Subject Matter In the previous seven Meccan Surahs, especially in the three immediately preceding Al-Qamar, Ar-Raḥmān, and Al-Waqi'ah it was repeatedly declared, in forceful though metaphorical language, that a great reformation, a veritable resurrection, was about to be brought about by the Holy Prophet among a people who for long centuries had grovelled in dust and dirt; and who because they had no living relation with civilized society, were looked down upon as pariahs among the comity of great nations. The present Surah points out that the great day of the phenomenal progress and power of that pariah nation the Arabs has already dawned and that the 3090