This Surah was revealed in the last stage of the middle Makkan period when the Prophet and his Companions were passing through very difficult and discouraging circumstances.
- Allah Himself testifies that your God is one and the shaitans do not have any access to the exalted assembly of angels.
- Life in the hereafter and the Day of Judgement are real.
- Scenes from the Day of Judgement:
- Dialogue between the followers and the leaders who mislead them.
- A view from the scenes of Paradise.
- An sample of conversation between the residents of Paradise.
- A view from the scenes of Hell.
- Prayer of the Prophet Nuh and Allah's response.
- The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim:
- He questioned his people for worshipping idols.
- His people threw him in the furnace, but Allah saved him.
- He prayed for a son and Allah granted him a son.
- Allah tested by asking him to offer the sacrifice of his only son and he passed the test.
- Risalat (Prophethood) of Musa, Haroon, Ilyas and Lut, peace be upon them all.
- Story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah).
- Allah has promised to help His Rasools and His devotees.
The disbelievers of Makkah have been severely warned for their attitude of mockery and ridicule towards the Prophet's message of Tawhid and the Hereafter, and for their utter refusal to accept and acknowledge his claim to Prophethood. In the end, they have been plainly warned that the Prophet, whom they are mocking and ridiculing, will overwhelm them in spite of their power in the very courtyards of their houses. Brief and impressive arguments have been given about the validity of the doctrines of Tawhid and the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of the Mushrikin to show the absurdity of their beliefs; they have been informed of the evil consequences of their deviations, which have been contrasted with the splendid results of the faith and righteous acts. Then, in continuation, precedents from past history have been cited to show how Allah had treated His Prophets and their followers, how He has been favoring His faithful servants and punishing their deniers and rejecters.
The most instructive of historical narratives presented in this Surah is the importance of the pious life led by the Prophet Ibrahim, who became ready to sacrifice his only son as soon as he was asked by Allah to do so. In this, there was a lesson not only for the disbelieving Qureysh who were proud of their blood relationship with him, but also for the Muslims who had believed in Allah and His Messenger. By narrating this event they were told about the essence and the real spirit of Islam, and how a true believer should be ready to make sacrifices for the pleasure of Allah. The believers are given the good news that they should not be disheartened at the hardships and difficulties that they had to encounter in the beginning, for in the end, they will attain dominance. The bearers of falsehood, who appeared to be dominant at the time, would be overwhelmed and vanquished at the hands of the Muslims. A few years later, the turn of events proved that it was not an empty consolation but an inevitable reality of which the believers were foretold in order to strengthen their hearts.