Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Anbiya?. [172] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/317.
It was narrated from ?Abdullah ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Bani Isra?il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta-Ha and Al-Anbiya? are among the earliest surahs and are among the first surahs that I learned. [173] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4739.
Virtues and characteristics
It is one of the earliest surahs to be revealed and was one of the first to be memorized and learned by the Companions, as was mentioned in the report of ?Abdullah ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted above.
Many names of Prophets are mentioned in it. [174] Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 17/5.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Anbiya? is Makki, and more than one commentator narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [175] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 4/89; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 3/184; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 11/266.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Al-Anbiya? include:
Explaining fundamentals of Tawhid and establishing proof for them; and what the prophets went through when calling people to believe in Tawhid. [176] See: Abu Zahrah: Zahrat At-Tafasir, 9/4824.
Affirming the resurrection and giving proof that it will come to pass. [177] Al-Biqa?i: Nazm Ad-Durar, 12/378.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Anbiya? include:
Warning of the resurrection, and affirming that it will indeed come to pass.
Mentioning a number of the specious arguments that the polytheists stirred up about the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his call, and refutation thereof.
Consoling the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for what the polytheists said about him.
Reminding of what befell earlier nations of punishment for their rejecting their messengers.
Establishing proof for the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and for the His absolute might and power.
Telling about some of the prophets, including Musa and Harun, Ibrahim and Lut, Is-haq and Ya?qub, Nuh, Ayyub, Dawud, Sulayman, Isma?il, Idris, Yunus and Zakariyya (peace be upon them).
Mention of the prophets is followed by mention of the basic objective of their message, which is to call all people to devote all worship to Allah alone.
Some of the portents of the Hour, some of the terrors thereof, and the different states people will be in at that time.
The surah ends by speaking of what Allah has decreed that cannot be altered, which is that the good end will be for the believers; and speaking about the message of His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his attitude towards his enemies.