In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Gentle Commentary on the Book "Identification Cards for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an"
by Dr. Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz ibn Umar Nasif, may Allah preserve him.
Surah At-Tur.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
We continue with our gentle commentary on the identification cards, focusing today on Surah At-Tur.
I have three reflective points to make regarding it.
The first point concerns what was mentioned regarding the order of its revelation; he stated:
"Its style is powerful." Naturally, having a powerful style suggests a relatively late period of revelation.
For generally, surahs intensify in power, debate with the disbelievers, and severe warnings
predominantly in what is conceived to be a relatively late stage of the Meccan period.
What corroborates the strength of its style is its profound impact upon those who heard it.
In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is reported on the authority of Jubayr ibn Mut'im—
who was a disbeliever at the time of this incident he relates, and only embraced Islam later,
years afterward—who said: "I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, reciting Surat At-Tur in the Maghrib prayer."
This took place, as scholars have clarified, when he went to ransom the captives of Badr;
he came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, in Medina while still a disbeliever.
He said: "He was reciting Surat At-Tur in Maghrib, and when he reached this verse: 'Were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?'
'Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief. Or do they possess the treasuries of your Lord? Or are they the controllers?'
my heart almost took flight."
The hadith is recorded in both Sahihs. If you wish to examine further reports demonstrating the impact of this
this surah and its power upon those who heard it, then consult
Tafsir Ibn Kathir at the beginning of the surah as well as in his commentary on some of its verses.
Consult also the book Masā'id an-Nazar by al-Biqa'i,
for he cited several reports illustrating the tremendous impact of this surah upon whoever recited it or heard it.
Among its verses is the saying of the Exalted: "Burn therein! Then endure it patiently or do not endure it; it is all the same to you. You are only being recompensed for what you used to do."
And before it: "Is this magic, or do you not see? Burn therein! Then endure it patiently or do not endure it."
These are immensely powerful verses.
The second point concerns the central theme of the surah.
The reality is that the themes of the surahs, especially in the Mufassal section, have not been sufficiently reviewed,
and they require further refinement; among these is what was stated regarding this surah.
It was stated regarding its theme: "Many verses of the surah pertain to warning the disbelievers and giving glad tidings to the believers."
Yet if you reflect slightly—or indeed, even without reflection—you will realize that this is common across the surahs of the Qur'an:
warning the disbelievers and giving glad tidings to the believers.
Thus, it is not suitable to designate this as the distinguishing theme of the surah.
Rather, what is mentioned after that is what truly distinguishes the surah,
because there are elements shared across multiple surahs,
and there are elements unique to a surah, and it is the latter that ought to form the discussion of a surah's theme.
He noted: "along with the rational discourse that occupies approximately the last third of the surah."
This rational discourse is precisely what distinguishes the surah.
In fact, you hardly find another surah featuring a debate structured in this specific manner,
where the interrogative "Am" (or) and "Bal" (nay) are repeated so frequently as in this surah.
Here we ought to pause and reflect upon these rational arguments,
and how profoundly they affected that man while he was still a disbeliever:
"Were they created by nothing, or were they the creators?" along with what precedes and follows it.
This rational discourse is the most prominent and distinguishing feature of the surah.
Therefore, its central theme is perhaps establishing the proof against them while persistently reminding them.
This brings us to the third point.
The third point concerns the words of the Exalted: "Therefore remind: by the grace of your Lord, you are neither a soothsayer nor a madman."
This verse comes after the reminders at the beginning of the surah, the threats, the warnings, and the promises—
the punishment and the reward—whereupon He said: "Therefore remind."
Continue to remind, for he is the master of all who remind, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
It is as though this verse serves as the core pivot of the surah and its ultimate purpose:
to persistently remind while dispelling misconceptions and establishing the definitive proofs.
What precedes it is reminder, and what follows it is the substantiation of proofs and the elimination of doubts.
This verse deserves a lengthy pause for reflection.
My master at-Tahir ibn Ashur said concerning it:
"And this noble phrase has encompassed..."
meaning: "Therefore remind: by the grace of your Lord, you are neither a soothsayer nor a madman,"
"...qualities befitting the veneration of the one to whom it was addressed."
Then he elaborated—concisely yet richly—expounding profound meanings
through succinct words that cannot be adequately reproduced here or elaborated upon at length.
It requires contemplation, deep understanding, study, and perhaps collective examination.
I highly recommend referring to it.
It serves as definitive proof of the importance of studying the Arabic language sciences in general,
and the science of rhetoric (balaghah) in particular;
for it is an indispensable aid in grasping the meanings of the Magnificent Qur'an,
discerning its subtle secrets and fine nuances,
and identifying the overarching objectives of its surahs,
among many other benefits that would take too long to recount.
I shall suffice with this much.
And may Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and Companions.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.