(Revealed before Hijrah)
The Surah was revealed very early at Mecca. This is the view of Ibn ‘Abbas and Ibn Zubair. Noldeke places it after Chapter 85. In the preceding Surah arguments based on reason and common sense were given in support of the claim that the Holy Prophet will have a glorious future as he possesses all those qualities which are necessary for making a success of one’s mission. In the present Surah examples of some Divine Messengers have been cited to show that as the Holy Prophet’s own circumstances resembled their circumstances, so, like them, he, too, will achieve success. In Chapters 89-94 the Holy Prophet’s Emigration to Medina and his subsequent success were hinted at in one form or another—in some by implication, in others by oblique reference and in yet others in clear words. In the Surah under comment, it is implied that like the Holy Prophet the former Prophets also had to leave their homes for the sake of their missions.