Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Ahqaf. [298] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/428; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 26/5.
This is indicated by the report from Ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) taught me Surat Al-Ahqaf? [299] Narrated by Ahmad, 4322. Also narrated by At-Tabarani: Al-Mu?jam Al-Awsat, 3418; Al-Hakim, 2885, both of whom mention Ha-Mim instead of Al-Ahqaf. According to another report: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) taught me one of the thirty-verse surahs among the Family of Ha-Mim ? meaning Al-Ahqaf ?. If a surah was a little longer than thirty verses, it was called a thirty-verse surah (At-Thalathin). [300] Narrated by Ahmad, 3981.
Virtues and characteristics
It was narrated that Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufrah said: Someone who heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told me that he said: ?If you are attacked at night, let your watchword be Ha-Mim; they will not prevail.? [301] Narrated via Abu Dawud, 2597; At-Tirmidhi, 1682; Ahmad, 16615.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Ahqaf is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [302] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include Al-Mawardi, Al-Qurtubi and Al-Fayruzabadi. See: Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 5/270; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 16/178; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/428.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Al-Ahqaf include:
Establishing proof of the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and the perfect nature of His might. [303] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/428; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 13/174.
Affirming that this Qur?an is indeed from Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and that the Day of Resurrection is true. [304] Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 2/480; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 13/174.
Topics
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Ahqaf include:
Praise for the Holy Qur?an.
Some aspects of the manifestations of Allah?s power.
Refutation of the polytheists, and disproving the notion that their objects of worship are deserving of any type of worship whatsoever.
The good outcome for those who say ?Our Lord is Allah? then remain steadfast.
The wise counsel that Allah gives to sons with regard to their fathers, and the good consequences for those who act in accordance with that counsel.
The bad consequences for the disbelievers who turn away from the call of truth.
Warning the polytheists against persisting in their association of others with Allah, and reminding them of what befell the polytheists who came before them, such as the people of ?Ad and Thamud.
Consoling the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) by reminding him that a group of the jinn came and listened attentively to the Holy Qur?an, and they called their people to believe in the truth that they had heard and in the Prophet who had brought it.
The surah ends with a command to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to bear with patience the annoyance of his people, and not to seek to hasten the punishment for them.