Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah marks the formal commencement of the Prophet’s mission, following the initial pause in revelation. Its primary purpose is to command the Prophet (ﷺ) to rise and warn the people, affirm Monotheism, establish the necessity of spiritual and physical purity, and issue a severe warning of Resurrection and Hellfire to the arrogant deniers of Makkah.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by consensus, though ayah 31 must have a later revelation, and some suggested that was in Madinah.

Context: The surah was revealed immediately after the period of pause in revelation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet (ﷺ), who was covered and resting. The revelation acted as a direct command to end the retreat and begin the public work of warning. The surah also established the initial, general duty of prayer before the five fixed daily prayers were formally mandated.

Chronology: It is likely to be the second surah revealed, after the initial revelation of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq, and before al-Muzzammil.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Muddaththir" (The Cloaked/Enveloped One), for the intimate opening address to the Prophet (ﷺ).

Ayah Count: 55 ayahs (Madīnah) or 56 (Kūfah/Baṣrah).

Surah Overview:

• Honoring the Prophet (ﷺ) and commanding him to arise and deliver the warning. [2]
• Establishing the necessity of purifying Allah, one's self, clothing, and actions (abstaining from sin). [3-5]
• Commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to be patient for the sake of his Lord and to expect a great reward. [7]
• Warning of the Hour and describing the terrifying sound of the trumpet blast. [8-10]
• Condemning the Deniers: Detailing the arrogance and final punishment of the chief deniers (such as Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah) who accused the Quran of being human speech or magic. [11-30]
• Refuting Mockery: Refuting the polytheists’ mockery of the keepers of Hellfire and establishing the wisdom of Allah’s trial. [31]
• The Final Reckoning: Describing the deeds and fate of the believers and contrasting them with the disbelief and subsequent punishment of the sinners. [38-48]
• Concluding with a reminder that the Quran is a warning and remembrance for all humankind. [54-56]