The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 468
Date of Revelation CHAPTER 88 AL-GHASHIYAH (Revealed before Hijrah) The Surah, like its predecessor, was revealed early at Mecca. Eminent early Muslim scholars such as Ibn 'Abbās and Ibn Zubair regard it as of Meccan origin. The famous German orientalist Nöldeke places it in the fourth year of the Call. Context and Subject Matter This and the preceding Surahs deal with the collective life of the Muslim Community in the time of the Holy Prophet and also in the latter days, when the Promised Messiah was to appear. This is why the Holy Prophet generally used to recite these two chapters during Friday and ‘Īd Prayers. In previous Sūrahs it was stated that the progress of Islam will never be due to material means but will come about through Divine Reformers. When Muslims will decline and decay and the Quran will, as it were, go up to heaven, God will raise the Promised Messiah who will bring it back to earth and will make its ideals and principles shine in resplendent glory. It was also stated that Islam will continue to have, in every age, sincere and devoted followers who will preach and propagate the teaching of the Quran, and that other unpredictable circumstances will also arise that will contribute to the progress and prosperity of Islam. In the present Surah, we are told that Muslims will have to face severe opposition and cruel persecution, and that after they will have patiently stood the test, success will come to them. Though the Surah deals primarily with the vicissitudes through which Muslims have to pass in this life, it also refers, as its name shows, to the Day of Resurrection. On the Day of Reckoning whether in this or in the next life, when the scales are set up, some faces will be downcast, covered with disgrace and ignominy and some others will beam with joy, being pleased with the results of their labour. Incidentally, the Surah contains a subtle hint that sometimes the followers of Islam will have to take up arms, and its success will then be due to the swords and spears of its warriors. 3364