Name
This surah is called Surat At-Takwir. [474] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/503.
It is also called Surat Idha Ash-Shamsu kuwwirat (When the sun ceases to shine). [475] This title was given to the surah in Tafsir ?Abd ar-Razzaq, 3/395; Sahih Al-Bukhari, 6/166; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, 5/433; and Tafsir Ibn Jarir, 24/128.
It was narrated that Ibn ?Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ?Whoever would like to view the Day of Resurrection as if he could see it with his own eyes, let him read Idha Ash-Shamsu kuwwirat? (When the sun ceases to shine) At-Takwir 81, Idha As-Sama?u infatarat (When the sky breaks apart) Al-Infitar 82 and Idha As-Sama?u inshaqqat (When the sky has split open) Al-Inshiqaq 84. [476] Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, 3333; Ahmad, 4806.
Virtues and characteristics
For the one who recites this surah, it is as if he is watching the Day of Resurrection and seeing it with his own eyes, as mentioned in the hadith of Ibn ?Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) quoted above.
Makki or Madani?
Surat At-Takwir is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [477] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/414; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/405; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 19/226.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Highlighting the events and terrors of the Day of Resurrection. [478] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/503.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat At-Takwir include:
The terrors of the Day of Resurrection;? affirming that this Holy Qur?an is from Allah (%), and is not the speech of any human; description of the angel who brought it and the Prophet who received it; affirmation of his prophethood.
Highlighting that the Qur?an is an exhortation and a reminder for the one who seeks guidance.
Affirmation that a person?s will is subject to the will of the Lord (%).