(Revealed before Hijrah)
Like the preceding three Chapters, the present one was revealed early at Mecca. These four Chapters very much resemble one another in style, composition and subject-matter. Noldeke and Muir agree with Muslim scholars about the early date of the revelation of this Surah. In fact, it completes the chain of Surahs of which the preceding three Chapters form the component parts. Towards the end of the last Chapter disbelievers were warned in emphatic terms that their power would break and their glory depart. In the present Chapter, however, it is stated that belief will take the place of disbelief and from the ruins of the old decadent and decrepit order a new, vigorous and vibrant order would emerge. The Surah continues the theme of Surah Al-Infitar, the intervening Surah At-Tatfif being merely its extension. Surah Al-Infitar had opened with the subject of the cleaving asunder of the heaven; and the present Surah begins with an analogous expression, with this difference that whereas in Surah Al-Infitar 'the cleaving asunder of the heaven' was connected with the false doctrines of Christianity, in the present Surah by 'the bursting asunder of the heaven' is meant the descent of Divine revelation and the emergence and spread of spiritual sciences. Thus, along with the three preceding Chapters, this Surah forms a chain of Chapters which deal with the subject of the renaissance of Islam in the Latter Days and with the sins and iniquities of the preceding period. It specifically deals with the renaissance of Islam while the preceding Chapters deal especially with Christian corruption and immorality.