Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is a profound consolation for the Prophet (ﷺ), strengthening him amid denial and mockery. It begins with the challenge of the Quran, affirms Allah as the protector of His revelation, and uses the stories of past nations especially the people of Al-Ḥijr (i.e. Thamūd) to warn the arrogant deniers in Makkah of their inevitable fate, culminating in the command to proclaim the message openly.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Entirely Makkan according to the majority. Claims that some verses are Madinan all prove weak upon careful examination.

Context: It was revealed towards the end of the 4th year of the Prophethood, as it contains the famous directive: “Openly proclaim what you have been commanded” [94]. This verse marked the beginning of the public preaching of the message towards the end of the 4th year of the Prophethood.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Ḥijr." It is the only surah to mention [80] this name for the region of the Thamūd people.

Ayah Count: 99 by unanimous agreement of the regions.

Surah Overview:

• The implied challenge to match the Quran and an explicit elevation of the Quran’s clarity. [1, 9]
• Warning polytheists of the day they will deeply regret not having accepted Islam even though the truth was clear. [2]
• Rebuke: their heedlessness—“let them eat and enjoy”—and that desire-driven distraction keeps them from guidance. [3]
• A law of history: no punishment/destruction comes except at an appointed, known term in Allah’s decree. [4–5]
• Consolation to the Prophet ﷺ: mockery and slander are the perennial habit of deniers toward messengers; and requested miracles would not reform them anyway—they would rationalize and persist. [6–15]
• Assurance: Allah Himself preserves the Quran from their plots and distortions. [9]
• Establishing proof: signs in the heavens and earth and Allah’s favors—supporting tawḥīd and the possibility/inevitability of resurrection; including the repelling of devils from eavesdropping as part of the cosmic order guarding revelation. [16–25]
• Recounting the story of human creation and the refusal of Iblīs, and the resulting path of temptation versus sincerity. [26-44]
• Interwoven encouragement and warning: depiction of the righteous (muttaqīn) and the balancing proclamation of Allah’s vast forgiveness alongside severe punishment. [45–50]
• Warning the Quraysh through the stories of past nations: Abraham, Lot, the people of the Thicket (al-Aykah), and especially the People of Thamūd (al-Ḥijr). [51-84]
• Cosmic closure: Allah created the heavens and earth “in truth” and the Hour is surely coming. [85]
• Renewed focus on the Quran and a warning: gift of the Seven Oft-Recited Verses and the Glorious Recital (Surat al-Fatihah), the command not to covet their enjoyments, declaration of clear warning, and threat to those who fragment the Qur’an. [87–93]
• Final directives, reassurance, and spiritual anchoring: proclaim openly what you are commanded and turn away from those who harass you; Allah will suffice you against the mockers/enemies; and when their speech aggrieves you, respond with glorification and worship until your decreed death. [94–99]