Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah focuses relentlessly on proving the certainty of the Resurrection and the Day of Judgment. It employs powerful oaths and cosmic imagery to assert this truth. It warns the polytheists of the impending punishment and contrasts the eternal torment awaiting them with the sublime reward prepared for the pious.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by the consensus of the commentators. The surah is often cited as one of the earliest Makkan revelations.

Context: The surah was revealed to address the polytheists’ denial of the Resurrection and their constant mockery of the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) was known to recite it often in prayer, even shortly before his death.

Chronology: It has been counted as the 33rd surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Ṭāriq and before Ṣād.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah is known both as "Sūrat al-Mursalāt" (The Emissaries), and by its opening phrase, "Sūrat wa-al-Mursalāti ʿurfan".

Virtue: The Prophet (ﷺ) said this surah was one of those that contributed to his graying hair, due to the severity of its warnings about the Hereafter.

Unique Feature: The terrifying refrain "Woe that Day to the deniers!" is repeated ten times.

Ayah Count: 50 ayahs by consensus.

Surah Overview:

• Oaths and Affirmation: Opening with five powerful oaths to affirm the certainty of the Resurrection and Judgment. [1-7]
• The Refrain: The repeated, thunderous warning against the deniers of the truth. [15, 19, 24, 28, 34, 37, 40, 45, 47, 49]
• Cosmic Signs: Describing the terrifying upheaval and dissolution of the cosmos at the beginning of the Hour. [8-10]
• Proofs of Creation: Proving the reality of Resurrection by recalling the miraculous creation of man from a despised fluid and the creation of the earth and mountains. [20-27]
• Historical Warning: Warning the polytheists by recalling the historical destruction of past nations (who were the "first generations"). [16-18]
• The Final Scene: Contrasting the sorrowful fate of the deniers in Hell with the joyful reward of the righteous in Paradise. [38-44]
• Conclusion: Concluding with a challenge to the unbelievers to find another message if they reject the Quran. [50]