Names
This surah is called Surat At-Tur. [336] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/441. The evidence for that includes the following:
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Mut?im (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting At-Tur in Maghrib. [337] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 765; Muslim, 463.
It was narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (S) that I was sick and he said: ?Circumambulate behind the people riding.? She said: So I circumambulated (the Ka?bah) and at that time the Messenger of Allah (S) was praying beside the House, and reciting, Wa?l-turi wa kitabin mastur (By Mount Sinai, and by a Book inscribed) At-Tur 52. [338] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 765; Muslim, 1276.
Virtues and characteristics
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited it in his prayer, and it had an impact on the heart of Jubayr (may Allah be pleased with him).
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Mut?im (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting At-Tur in Maghrib, and when he reached this verse ?
Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather they lack certainty of faith.
Or do they possess the treasuries of your Lord? Or do they rule supreme?
At-Tur 52:35-37 ? my heart was about to soar. [339] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4854. His heart was about to soar because of the eloquent way in which this passage presents the argument. See: Sharh Al-Qastallani, 7/358.
Makki or Madani?
Surat At-Tur is Makki [340] See: Hibatullah ibn Salamah: An-Nasikh wa Al-Mansukh, p. 169; Abu ?Amr Ad-Dani: Al-Bayan fi ?Addi Ayi Al-Qur?an, p. 233; Ibn Al-Faras: Ahkam Al-Qur?an, 3/508; Tafsir Al-Baydawi, 5/152. ; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [341] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/166; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/175; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 17/58.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Affirming the resurrection, highlighting the bad consequences for the disbelievers and the good consequences for the believers. [342] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 14/35; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 27/36, 67.
Refuting the fabrications and lies of the polytheists. [343] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 14/35.
Topics
The most significant topics addressed in Surat At-Tur include:
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, swears by His creations which are indicative of the perfect nature of His might and the wonder of His creation, and by His Book, that the resurrection is true, and that the requital is true and will happen on the Day of Resurrection.
The bad consequences for the disbelievers; what Allah has prepared for the righteous, a description of the bliss they will enjoy, and their praise of Allah for what He has bestowed upon them.
Refutation of the specious arguments and lies of the polytheists.
The wrongdoers will be punished in this world before they are punished in the hereafter.
Consoling the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), promising him support, and commanding him to be patient and to glorify and praise Allah.