Names
This surah is called Surat Ash-Shu?ara?. [205] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/344; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 19/89.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Ash-Shu?ara? is Makki. [206] Ibn ?Atiyyah and Ibn Al-Faras attributed the view that the surah in its entirety is Makki to the majority of scholars. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 4/224; Ibn Al-Faras: Ahkam Al-Qur?an, 3/402.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Ash-Shu?ara? include:
Pointing out the high status of the Holy Qur?an and that the polytheists are unable to produce anything like it. [207] See: Al-Biqa?i: Nazm Ad-Durar, 14/1.
Consoling the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for what he faced of his people turning away from him. [208] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/344
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Ash-Shu?ara? include:
The high status of the Qur?an; the attitude of the polytheists towards the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and consoling him for their turning away from him.
Some stories of the Messengers with their people, and what they suffered from them.
Some aspects of the story of Allah?s Prophet Musa and his brother Harun (peace be upon them) with Pharaoh, and the story of the magicians, and how the story ended with the drowning of Pharaoh and his troops, whilst Musa (peace be upon him) and those who were with him were saved.
Some aspects of the call of Allah?s Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to his father and his people.
Some aspects of the story of Allah?s Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) and his calling his people, and how the story ended with the drowning of the disbelievers, whilst the believers were saved.
The story of Allah?s Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) and his call to his people, and the fate of those of them who disbelieved.
The story of Allah?s Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and his call to his people, and what resulted from their hamstringing the she-camel of the punishment coming down upon them.
The story of Allah?s Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) and his call to his people, and how they turned away from him, then Allah saved him from them and destroyed them.
The story of Allah?s Prophet Shu?ayb (peace be upon him) and his people, and what befell them of punishment as a result of their disbelief.
The sending down of the Holy Qur?an and the testimony of the People of the Book that it was true, and that it could not be poetry or words of the devils; the command to the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to warn his clan; explanation that the fate that will befall those who do wrong.