The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 404

General Remarks CHAPTER 79 AN-NĀZI ĀT (Revealed before Hijrah) The Surah takes its title from the first word of its opening verse. All competent authorities, including ‘Abdullah bin 'Abbās and Ibn Zubair, agree that, like its predecessor, this is a very early Meccan Surah. In the preceding Surah, the Muslims were promised power, prosperity and predominance in the world at a time when in the whole of Mecca hardly forty persons had accepted Islam. In the present Surah, however, light is shed on the ways and means by which the Muslims were to achieve greatness and glory, as well as on the signs and marks that point towards the imminent fulfilment of that promise. The Surah opens with a description of some of the special traits of character of the Holy Prophet's Companions and of other groups of righteous men who, by bringing into play these characteristics, achieve glory, power, victory and prominence. The Surah then points out that power will come to Muslims as a result of wars that will break the strength of the enemies of Islam. Pharaoh's case is then cited to show that opposition to truth never goes unpunished. Next, we are told that in the extremely weak condition of early Muslims, prophecies about a glorious future of Islam seemed impossible of fulfilment, but the Great God Who created the vast heavens and earth, and Who placed on it rivers and mountains and highways had the power to make the impossible possible, as He can give a new life to the dead in the next world. Towards the close of the Surah it is stated that when the great event- the complete triumph of Truth or the Final Resurrection—takes place, the guilty will burn in the fire of Hell, but those who had lived a life of righteousness will enjoy the blessings of Paradise. 3300