Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur
Themes and purpose:
This Makkan surah establishes the singular divinity of Allah and the absolute certainty of the Resurrection through proofs from creation. It strongly refutes those who follow their own desires instead of divine law. The surah warns the disbelievers of the final day where they will be kneeling, and commands the believers to forgive and persevere.
Context of Revelation:
Era: Makkan according to the majority of scholars.
Context: The surah was revealed during a period of severe confrontation.
Chronology: It is counted as the 64th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Dukhān and before al-Aḥqāf.
Name and Ayah Count:
Name: The surah is known as "Sūrat al-Jāthiyah" (The Kneeling) or "Ḥā-Mīm al-Jāthiyah" due to this word appearing in ayah 28. It has also been known by other words appearing in it, namely "Sūrat Sharīʿah" (The Law) [18], and "Sūrat al-Dahr" (The Time) [24].
Ayah Count: 36 ayahs (Madīnah/Makkah/Shām/Baṣrah) or 37 (Kūfah).
Surah Overview:
- The Quran Challenge: Asserting the Quran’s truth and divine origin through the opening letters and the statement that it is revealed with truth. [1]
- Monotheism and Creation: Establishing Allah’s sole divinity by citing the miraculous signs of creation (heavens, earth, rain, and the governance of the cosmos). [2-6]
- Warning against polytheism and desires: Condemning the mushrikūn who follow their own corrupt desires and take false gods. [7, 18, 23]
- The Command of Forgiveness: Commanding the believers to overlook and forgive the offenses of the disbelievers, leaving their reckoning to Allah. [14]
- Historical Warning: Comparing the state of the polytheists to the Israelites, who disputed over their revelation after receiving clear knowledge, warning that such arrogance leads to destruction. [16]
- Consolation: Consoling the Prophet (ﷺ) by asserting that his law (sharīʿah) is the only true path, and he should not heed those who follow their own desires. [18]
- Refuting Atheism: Directly refuting those who deny the Resurrection and say, "It is only time (al-dahr) that destroys us." [24]
- The Day of Judgment: Describing the humiliation of the disbelievers, who will be seen kneeling (jāthiyah), and the honor and reward for the pious. [28-35]