Surah As-Saffat

The honour of the Friends of Allah and the humiliation of the enemies of Allah. The disbelievers of Makkah are warned of their mockery and derision to Allah’s message of Monotheism (Tawhid) and the Hereafter, and their refusal to acknowledge the Prophet ﷺ. In the end, they have been plainly warned that the Prophet ﷺ, whom they are mocking and ridiculing, will overwhelm them in spite of their power and wealth and they will find the army of Allah encamping in the very courtyards of their houses (v. 171-179).

This notice was given at a time when there appeared to be no chance of success for the Prophets ﷺmission. The Muslims (who have been called Allah’s army in these verses) were under severe persecution. Three quarters of their population had already emigrated and hardly 40 to 50 of the Companions were left with the Prophet ﷺin Makkah, helplessly experiencing excessive persecution. Under such circumstances, no one would think that the Prophet ﷺand this mere handful of illequipped companions would ultimately attain dominance. Rather, people thought that the new movement would be buried in the ravines of Makkah. Despite this, within hardly 15 to 16 years, the conquest of Makkah occurred, the precise thing which the disbelievers had been forewarned about.

Along with administering warnings, this Surah covers the themes of inducement and instruction in a balanced way. Brief but impressive arguments have been given about the validity of the doctrines of Monotheism and the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of the polytheist, showing the absurdity of their beliefs and the evil consequences of their deviations, contrasting this with the splendid results of faith and righteous acts.

The most instructive of the historical narratives presented in this Surah, is from the important life of the Prophet Abraham, and the event where he was ready to sacrifice his only son after receiving inspiration from Allah. This was a lesson not only for the disbelieving Quraysh, who were proud of their blood relationship to him, but also for the Muslims. By narrating this event, they were shown the real spirit of Islam and how a true Believer should be ready to sacrifice his all for the pleasure of Allah.

In these verses, the Believers were given glad tidings and told not be disheartened by their difficulties, for they would eventually attain power against the people of falsehood. A few years later, the turn of events confirmed that this was not an empty promise but an inevitable reality, which had been foretold to strengthen their hearts.

Connection between the beginning and the ending of the Surah Arranged in rows, “By those lined up in rows” (37:1) “And indeed, we are those who stand in rows.” (37:165)