(Revealed before Hijrah)
The Surah, like the preceding one, was revealed early at Mecca. Eminent early Muslim scholars such as Ibn ‘Abbas and Ibn Zubair hold this view. The famous German Orientalist Noldeke places it in the fourth year of the Call. This and some of the preceding Chapters deal with the collective life of the Muslim Community in the time of the Holy Prophet and also in the Latter Days. This is why the Holy Prophet generally used to recite it in the Friday and the ‘Id Prayers. In some previous Chapters it was stated that Islam will never prosper by the employment only of material means. When Muslims will decline and decay and the Qur’an will, as it were, go up to Heaven, a Divine Reformer will appear who will bring it back to earth and will make its ideals and principles shine in resplendent glory. It was also stated that Islam will continue to have, in every age, sincere and devoted followers who will preach and propagate its Message, and that other unpredictable circumstances will also arise which will greatly contribute to its progress and prosperity. In the present Surah, it is stated that Muslims will have to face severe opposition and cruel persecution, and after they will have patiently stood the test, success will come to them. Though the Surah deals primarily with the vicissitudes through which Muslims have to pass in this life, it also refers, as its name shows, to the Day of Resurrection. On the Day of Reckoning whether in this or in the next life, when the scales are set up, some faces are downcast, covered with disgrace and ignominy, and some others beam with joy being pleased with the results of their labour.