Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is founded on proving Monotheism, the Resurrection, and the truth of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mission. It achieves this by contrasting the believers’ felicity with the disbelievers’ disputes in the Hereafter. It establishes the prophetic lineage through Abraham, focusing particularly on the honor of the son who was to be sacrificed, and guarantees that victory is the eternal promise to all messengers.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by unanimous agreement.

Context: The surah was revealed to refute the core polytheistic beliefs of the Makkans, particularly their claim that angels were the daughters of Allah, and their denial of the Resurrection.

Chronology: It is counted as the 56th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Anʿām and before Luqmān.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Ṣāffāt" (Those in Ranks). It is named for the unique mention of this word in its opening oath [1], in reference to the angels. It is also sometimes called "Sūrat al-Dhabīḥ" (The Sacrificed Son), referring to Ismāʿīl (Ishmael), who submitted to his father’s divine dream before they were rescued from the test.

Ayah Count: 182 ayahs (Majority) or 181 (Baṣran).

Surah Overview:

• Monotheism: Establishing Allah's Oneness, proving His sole right to creation and sovereignty, and declaring Allah free from having partners or children (especially the claim that angels are His daughters). [1-11, 150-159]
• The Hereafter: Proving the Resurrection and Judgment. [12-21]
• The Judgment Scene: Describing the terrible fate and mutual blame of the polytheists, and the delightful state of the believers in Paradise. [22-61]
• Prophetic Narratives: Consoling the Prophet (ﷺ) by recounting the struggles and ultimate victory of previous messengers:
• Noah [75-82]
• Abraham [83-113], including the would-be sacrifice of Ishmael [100-111]
• Moses and Aaron [114-122]
• Elias, Lot, and Jonah. [123-148]
• Final Promise: Guaranteeing the Prophet (ﷺ) victory, in line with the eternal practice of Allah toward His messengers. [171-173]
• Concluding the surah with praise and glory to Allah, the Lord of Might. [180-182]