Names
This surah is called Surat At-Tahrim. [409] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/471.
Makki or Madani?
Surat At-Tahrim is Madani; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [410] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Al-Mawardi, Ibn ?Atiyyah and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 6/38; Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/302; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 18/177.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Explaining guidelines and advice having to do with the family. [411] See: At-Tafsir Al-Mawdu?i li Suwar Al-Qur?an Al-Karim, 8/245.
Topics
The most significant topics addressed in Surat At-Tahrim include:
Some of what happened between the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and some of his wives, Allah?s gentle rebuke to him and to his wives; Allah?s defence of His Prophet.
The call to the believers, instructing them to protect themselves and their families from Hell.
The command to repent sincerely, and highlighting the positive effects thereof, namely expiation for bad deeds and admittance to paradise.
The command to strive in jihad against the disbelievers and hypocrites.
The surah ends by giving two likenesses, the first of which is a likeness of those who believe, which is represented in the wife of Pharaoh and in Maryam bint ?Imran; the second of which is a likeness of those who disbelieve, which is represented in the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut (peace be upon them).