This is also one of the earliest Surahs revealed at Makkah. The persecution of the Muslims had not yet started; however, the message of the Qur'an was being openly opposed and the people were refusing to acknowledge that resurrection would ever take place and that they would have to appear before Allah to render an account of their deeds.
- On Doomsday heaven will split asunder and earth will be spread out.
- The books of deeds will be distributed and the righteous will be happy while disbelievers will be calling for death.
- The people are asked to believe while they have time during their life on earth.
The theme of this Surah is the Resurrection and Hereafter. In the first five verses the state of resurrection is described and the argument of its being true and certain is also given: that, one Day, the heavens will split asunder, the earth will be spread out plain and smooth, and it will throw out whatever lies inside it. It will be so because it will be the command of Allah, the Rabb of the heavens and the earth.
On that Day, all human beings will be divided into two groups:
- Those whose records will be given in their right hands, will be forgiven without any severe reckoning;
- Those whose records will be given to them from behind their back, will wish for death but they will not die; instead they will be cast into hell. They will meet with this fate because in this world they remained heedless and they would appear before Allah to render an account of their deeds.
In conclusion, the disbelievers who oppose the teachings of the Qur'an instead of bowing down to God when they hear it, are forewarned of a grievous punishment and the good news of limitless rewards has been given to the believers and the righteous.