(Revealed before Hijrah)
The Surah is so similar in style and subject-matter to the one preceding it that it forms, as it were, its counterpart, but with a separate name. It is characteristic of the Qur’an that, in view of their importance, it takes out certain parts of the text of a particular Surah and in order to draw pointed attention to the subject dealt with in the separated parts and in order also that the separated parts may be easily committed to memory, it gives them a distinct name and individuality. The Surah deals particularly with the conditions that were to prevail in the Latter Days when Christian doctrines and ways of life will have impressed very deeply the conduct and concepts of non-Christian peoples, especially the Muslims. All the prophecies mentioned in the Surah have been literally fulfilled. It was revealed at Mecca in the early years of the Call about the time of the revelation of the preceding Chapter.