(Revealed before Hijrah)
Like the other Chapters of the Ha Mim group, this Surah was revealed at Mecca. But no exact date can be assigned to its revelation, though Noldeke places it immediately after 41st Surah. It opens with the statement that just as timely rain gives new life to dead earth, similarly a Divine Prophet is raised when men become morally corrupt. As men had become corrupt, so God now has raised the Holy Prophet Muhammad to regenerate them.
Like the preceding five Chapters the present Surah also opens with the subject of the Qur’anic revelation and Divine Unity which constitute its main themes, and adduces the creation of man and of all animal and vegetable life on earth, the coming down of timely rain from the clouds which quickens the dead earth, the marvellous creation of the universe and the complete and consummate design and order that pervade and permeate it as great Signs to establish the existence of an Unerring and All-Powerful Being behind all this, and proceeds to invite disbelievers to consider how the Wise Being, Who has made such wonderful provision for man’s short and temporary life on earth, could have failed to make similar provision for his eternal life. This provision for man’s spiritual sustenance has been made in the revelation that descends upon God’s Messengers to lead him to the achievement of the great goal of his life. The Surah then says that God does not allow the arrangement which He has made for the moral and spiritual regeneration of man to be interfered with, and so He does not allow a forger of lies to prosper. Sooner or later the impostor comes to grief. But the Holy Prophet’s mission is making uniform progress. This is proof positive of the fact that he is not a liar but a true Messenger of God. The Surah then gives one more argument to prove and substantiate the claim of the Holy Prophet, viz. that all the forces of nature are working in support and furtherance of his cause. It is, therefore, bound to succeed. Next, a brief reference is made to the Mosaic Dispensation and it is stated that the Qur’an has been revealed because the Torah had failed to satisfy the spiritual needs of man. It also fulfils the prophecies made in the Torah about the advent of a Prophet from among the brethren of the Israelites (Deut. 18:18). The Surah further tells disbelievers that God has created man to achieve a great and noble goal; therefore, a better and fuller life which knows no end awaits him in the next world. It is only in this way that the creation of man can be justified. The Surah closes with a brief but very effective description of the Day of Judgment. But before that day comes, the disbelievers will have to give an explanation in this very life, why they disobeyed and defied the Prophets of God. They are warned that if they did not repent and mend their ways, they will be doomed to a life of failure and frustration.