Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is dedicated to proving the Resurrection and the divine origin of the Quran against the polytheists. It establishes Monotheism through proofs in creation and uses the historical destruction of the powerful people of ʿĀd as a warning. The surah concludes with a command to the Prophet (ﷺ) to be steadfast.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan according to the consensus of commentators.

Context: The surah was revealed during the Makkan period when persecution was high and the Prophet (ﷺ) needed consolation and strengthening. This is confirmed by the final command to "be patient as the resolute messengers were patient."

Chronology: It is counted as the 65th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Jāthiyah and before al-Dhāriyāt.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah’s established name is "Sūrat al-Aḥqāf" (The Sandy Dunes). It is the only surah in the Quran to mention "al-Aḥqāf" [21], which refers to the region where the mighty people of ʿĀd, the nation of Prophet Hūd, lived and were destroyed.

Ayah Count: 34 ayahs (Majority) or 35 (Kūfan).

Surah Overview:

• Affirming the Quran's divine origin and challenging the polytheists to produce a similar work. [1-3]
• Proving Monotheism by showing the perfection of creation and refuting the power of all partners besides Allah. [3-6, 33]
• Witnesses to Prophecy: Providing evidence of the Prophet’s truthfulness through the testimony of:
• A believing Jewish scholar (ʿAbdullāh ibn Salām). [10]
• A group of Jinn who heard and believed the Quran. [29-32]
• Establishing the certainty of the Resurrection and Judgment. [20]
• Historical Warning: Detailing the destruction of the mighty people of al-Aḥqāf (the nation of Hūd) as a severe lesson for the deniers of Makkah. [21-27]
• Ethics of Kinship: Commanding righteousness towards parents. [15]
• Consolation and Command: Concluding by commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to "be patient as the resolute messengers were patient" and to wait for Allah’s promised victory. [35]