Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Mursalat. [454] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/495.
It was narrated that ?Abdullah ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whilst we were with the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in a cave in Mina, By the winds sent in succession i.e., Surat Al-Mursalat 77 was revealed to him. I learned it directly from his lips, when he was still reciting it. [455] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 1830; Muslim, 2234.
It is also called ?Al-Mursalati ?urfan (the winds sent in succession). [456] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 29/419.
It was narrated that Umm Al-Fadl bint Al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her) said: I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting in Maghrib ?Al-Mursalati ?urfan (the winds sent in succession),? then he did not lead us in prayer after that until Allah took his soul. [457] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4429; At-Tirmidhi (308); An-Nasa?i (985).
Virtues and characteristics
It was revealed all at once. [458] See: As-Suyuti: Al-Itqan fi ?Ulum Al-Qur?an, 1/136.
It was narrated that Ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in a cave, and By the winds sent in succession i.e., Surat Al-Mursalat 77 was revealed to him. [459] Ibn Al-?Arabi said: This surah is unique in the Qur?an, as it is the only surah that came down to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when he was underground. Ahkam Al-Qur?an, 4/356. I learned it directly from his lips, when he was still reciting it, and I do not know with which verse it ended: In what message after this Qur?an will they then believe? Al-Mursalat 77:50 or When it is said to them: Bow in prayer, they do not bow Al-Mursalat 77:48. [460] Narrated by Ahmad, 3574; Ibn Hibban, 707; At-Tabarani, 10/145, 10154.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited it in the last prayer in which he led the people.
We have quoted above the hadith of Umm Al-Fadl bint Al-Harith, in which she said that she heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting Surat Al-Mursalat in Maghrib prayer, and she said: Then he did not lead us in prayer after that until Allah took his soul. What is meant ? and Allah knows best ? is that he did not lead the people in prayer after that. [461] See: Ibn Rajab: Fat-h Al-Bari, 7/21.
According to another report, she said: It that is, Surat Al-Mursalat is the last thing I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting in Maghrib. [462] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 763; Muslim, 462.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Mursalat is Makki. [463] Ibn Al-Jawzi attributed this view to the majority. Those who said that it is Makki include: Al-Hasan, ?Ikrimah, ?Ata? and Jabir. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/382; Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 6/175.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Alarming the disbelievers and warning them against disbelief. [464] See: Tafsir ar-Razi, 30/770. He listed ten types of alarming statements mentioned in this surah (30/770-771).
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Mursalat include:
The oath attesting that the Resurrection will indeed happen, and that it is undoubtedly coming; listing some of the horrors of the Day of Resurrection.
Quoting evidence that the resurrection will happen; mention of some of the manifestations of Allah?s power, such as creating man, the earth and the mountains.
Warning the disbelievers and describing their punishment in the hereafter.
Describing the bliss and good fate that the righteous will enjoy, and different ways in which they will be honoured.
Expressing astonishment at the attitude of the disbelievers, and the severity of their stubbornness.