Names
This surah is called Surat Ash-Shams and also Wa?sh-shams (By the sun).
It is also called Wa?sh-shamsi wa duhaha (By the sun and its light). [523] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/522; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/365.
It was narrated that Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Mu?adh used to pray with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), then he would come and lead his people in prayer. One night, he prayed ?Isha? with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), then he came to his people and led them in prayer, and he started to recite Surat Al-Baqarah? And in this hadith it states that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Mu?adh (may Allah be pleased with him): ?O Mu?adh, are you causing trouble [524] Are you causing trouble? That is, are you putting people off religion and barring people from it? ? Are you causing trouble, O Mu?adh? Recite Wa?sh-shamsi wa duhaha (By the sun and its light) Ash-Shams 91, Wa?d-duha (By the morning brightness) Ad-Duha 93, Wa?l-layli idha yaghsha (By the night when it covers) Al-Layl 92 and Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A?la 87. [525] Narrated by Muslim, 465. ??
Makki or Madani?
Surat Ash-Shams is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [526] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Al-Mawardi, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 6/281; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/450; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 20/72.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Encouraging people to do acts of worship and obedience, and warning against acts of disobedience and sin. [527] See: Tafsir ar-Razi, 31/173.
Warning the polytheists that soon a punishment will befall them because of their disbelief, as happened to those who came before them. [528] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/365, 366.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Ash-Shams include:
The surah begins with an oath by mighty creations, which is indicative of the brilliant way in which Allah (%) shaped them.
Mention of the states of individual souls and the extent to which they are guided or misguided.
Highlighting the good fate of the one who purifies and disciplines himself and the bad fate of the one who follows his whims and desires.
Telling of the destruction of Thamud, and warning the polytheists that punishment will befall them as it befell Thamud if they persist in their disbelief.