Tag Archives: Cataclysmic Events of the Hereafter

Islamic knowledge

Chapter 81/Al Takwir

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/64d387b4-5762-4335-85df-26b0fea72ef4/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-81.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Here is a summary of Surah At-Takwir (Chapter 81) based exclusively on Tafheem-ul-Quran by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi :

Introduction

  • Name: Derived from Verse 1 (idhā ash-shamsu kuwwirat – “When the sun is folded up”). Takwīr means “folding up,” likened to wrapping a turban, symbolizing the sun’s light being extinguished .
  • Revelation: Meccan period (early prophethood, ~610–616 CE) .
  • Theme: Two interconnected themes:
  1. The Hereafter (Verses 1–14).
  2. Prophethood and the Quran’s divine origin (Verses 15–29) .

Key Themes and Verses

I. Cataclysmic Events of the Hereafter (Verses 1–14)

Tafheem describes these as “signs” marking the Day of Judgment, divided into two stages:

  1. Cosmic Collapse (Verses 1–6):
  • Sun “folded up” (v.1): Its radiance vanishes like a wrapped turban .
  • Stars scatter and darken (v.2): Celestial bodies lose orbital cohesion .
  • Mountains uprooted (v.3): Gravity nullified; they float like clouds .
  • Pregnant she-camels abandoned (v.4): Al-ʿishār (10-month pregnant camels), the Arabs’ most prized wealth, left untended amid the chaos .
  • Wild beasts gathered (v.5): Natural enemies huddle together, instinct overridden by terror .
  • Seas set ablaze (v.6): Water—normally fire-extinguishing—ignites as its hydrogen/oxygen components separate .
  1. Accountability and Justice (Verses 7–14):
  • Souls reunited with bodies (v.7): Resurrection begins .
  • Buried infant girls questioned (v.8–9): A direct challenge to pre-Islamic Arabia’s practice of female infanticide. The victim—not the murderer—is asked: “For what crime were you killed?” highlighting divine justice for the voiceless .
  • Records unfolded, Heaven/Hell unveiled (v.10–13): Deeds exposed; Paradise nears, Hell blazes .
  • Conclusion (v.14): “Each soul will know what it has brought” – humanity faces its deeds .

II. Affirmation of Prophethood and the Quran (Verses 15–29)

  • Oath by cosmic phenomena (v.15–18): Retreating stars, advancing night, and breathing dawn attest to the Quran’s truth .
  • Divine origin of revelation (v.19–24): The Quran is the “word of a noble messenger” (Angel Gabriel), not Muhammad’s insanity or Satan’s suggestion. Gabriel is described as:
  • Possessor of power (v.20).
  • Obeyed in Heaven (v.21).
  • Trustworthy (v.21) .
  • Final admonition (v.25–29): Rejects pagan accusations of madness; the Quran is a “reminder to all worlds” (v.27). Ends with a rhetorical challenge: “Whither then are you going?” (v.26), underscoring human free will within Allah’s ultimate will (v.29) .

Socio-Historical Context from Tafheem

  • Female infanticide: Motivated by poverty, tribal warfare fears, and misogyny. Tafheem cites a hadith where Prophet Muhammad wept upon hearing a confession of this practice, emphasizing Islam’s ethical revolution .
  • Rhetorical style: Passive voice (e.g., “the sun is folded“) bypasses pagan skepticism about Allah, focusing attention on the events themselves .

Conclusion

Surah At-Takwir masterfully juxtaposes cosmic upheaval with moral accountability, using imagery resonant with 7th-century Arabs while affirming the Quran as a divine, universal warning. Its climax—the buried girl’s question—condemns social injustice and establishes the necessity of the Hereafter for ultimate justice .

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 81 (At-Takwir) from Tafheemul Quran focuses on the signs of the Day of Resurrection and the divine origin of the Quran, emphasizing human accountability.
  • It seems likely the surah describes cosmic events like the sun folding up and stars scattering, while affirming the Quran’s revelation through the Angel Gabriel.
  • The evidence leans toward the surah serving as a reminder for all mankind, with everything subject to Allah’s will, highlighting the Prophet’s credibility against disbeliever accusations.

Overview

Surah 81, titled “At-Takwir” or “The Overthrowing,” is a Meccan surah with 29 verses, focusing on the inevitability of the Day of Resurrection, the divine nature of the Quran, and the accountability of humanity. Tafheemul Quran, a commentary by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, provides detailed insights into its themes, emphasizing divine power, human responsibility, and the truth of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) message.

Summary

The surah begins by vividly describing the cataclysmic events of the Day of Judgment, such as the sun being folded up, stars scattering, and mountains moving, serving as a warning of the Hereafter. It highlights individual accountability, mentioning the questioning of buried female infants about their murder, addressing pre-Islamic injustices. It then affirms the Quran’s divine origin, revealed through the Angel Gabriel, and refutes disbeliever accusations of the Prophet being mad, emphasizing his credibility. The surah concludes by presenting the Quran as a universal reminder for those seeking guidance, with all matters subject to Allah’s will.

Supporting Resources

Comprehensive Analysis of Surah 81 (At-Takwir) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides a detailed examination of Surah 81 (At-Takwir) as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, authored by Syed Abul Ala Maududi. The commentary, known for its combination of orthodox and modernist interpretations, addresses contemporary issues while grounding its explanations in the Sunnah and historical context. Below, we explore the surah’s structure, themes, and significance, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in Quranic exegesis.

Background and Context

Surah 81 is a Meccan surah, revealed early in the Prophet Muhammad’s mission, focusing on theological debates about Resurrection and the Hereafter. Tafheemul Quran notes that this timing is significant, as it reflects the challenges faced by the Prophet during initial opposition from the Quraish, who denied the Hereafter and accused him of madness. The surah, comprising 29 verses, is part of the 30th juz’ of the Quran and is titled “At-Takwir,” meaning “The Overthrowing,” referring to the folding up of the sun, a key image in the opening verses.

Maududi’s commentary, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is renowned for its depth, covering economics, sociology, history, and politics, while applying Quranic guidance to modern issues. For Surah 81, it provides a verse-by-verse exegesis, emphasizing the surah’s role in confronting disbelief and affirming divine justice, consistent with the nature of Meccan chapters.

Detailed Verse-by-Verse Summary

The following tables summarize the key themes and messages of Surah 81 as per Tafheemul Quran, organized by verse ranges for clarity:

Table 1: Summary of Verses 81:1-14Verse RangeKey Themes and Messages 81:1 Describes the sun being folded up, a metaphor for losing its light, emphasizing cosmic upheaval on Resurrection Day. 81:2 Stars scattering and losing their luster, indicating the end of celestial order. 81:3 Mountains being set in motion, vanishing like a mirage, highlighting earth’s transformation. 81:4 Pregnant camels being left unattended, symbolizing neglect of worldly concerns. 81:5 Wild beasts being gathered, suggesting a universal gathering for judgment. 81:6 Seas boiling over, depicting natural disasters on Judgment Day. 81:7 Souls being rejoined with their bodies, emphasizing resurrection and accountability. 81:8-9 Buried female infants questioned about the crime of their murder, addressing pre-Islamic female infanticide. 81:10 Deeds being unfolded and made clear, underscoring individual accountability. 81:11 Sky laid bare, revealing its contents, symbolizing divine exposure. 81:12 Hell being stoked, prepared for the wicked, emphasizing punishment. 81:13 Paradise brought near, promised to the righteous, contrasting with Hell. 81:14 Each soul knowing its own deeds, highlighting personal responsibility on Judgment Day.

Table 2: Summary of Verses 81:15-29Verse RangeKey Themes and Messages 81:15-16 Oaths by the retreating planets, affirming the truth of the following statements. 81:17-18 Oaths by the night and the dawn, emphasizing the certainty of divine signs. 81:19-21 Affirms Quran as word of noble messenger (Angel Gabriel), strong, honored, on highest horizon, obedient to Allah, highlighting divine revelation. 81:22 Declares Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not mad, refuting disbeliever accusations. 81:23 States Prophet saw the Angel Gabriel on clear horizon, affirming the revelation’s authenticity. 81:24 Clarifies Prophet does not withhold knowledge of the unseen, emphasizing transparency. 81:25 Affirms Quran is not Satan’s word, refuting claims of demonic influence. 81:26 Questions where disbelievers are heading, challenging their denial. 81:27 States Quran is reminder for all mankind, emphasizing universal guidance. 81:28 Specifies it is for those seeking straight path, highlighting its purpose. 81:29 Concludes everything is subject to Allah’s will, underscoring divine sovereignty.

Thematic Analysis

The surah’s themes are deeply intertwined with the early Meccan context, addressing theological debates about Resurrection and the Quran’s authenticity. Tafheemul Quran highlights the following key aspects:

  1. Signs of Resurrection: Verses 1-14 vividly describe cosmic and earthly events, such as the sun folding up (takwir, metaphor for losing light, Commentary 1, E.N. 1), stars scattering (inkidar, losing luster, Commentary 2, E.N. 2), mountains moving (Commentary 3, E.N. 3), pregnant camels neglected (worldly concerns abandoned, Commentary 4, E.N. 4), wild beasts gathered (universal judgment, Commentary 5, E.N. 5), seas boiling (natural disasters, Commentary 6, E.N. 6), souls rejoined (resurrection, Commentary 7, E.N. 7), female infants questioned (addressing infanticide, Commentary 8-9, E.Ns 8-9, cross-referencing Surah An-Nahl 16:58-59), deeds unfolded (accountability, Commentary 10, E.N. 10), sky bare (divine exposure, Commentary 11, E.N. 11), Hell stoked (punishment, Commentary 12, E.N. 12), Paradise near (reward, Commentary 13, E.N. 13), each soul knowing deeds (personal responsibility, Commentary 14, E.N. 14).
  2. Divine Revelation and Oaths: Verses 15-18 use oaths by planets, night, and dawn to affirm truth, emphasizing certainty (Commentary 15-18, E.Ns 15-18, cross-referencing Surah Al-Waqiah 56:75-76 for oaths). Verses 19-25 affirm Quran as Angel Gabriel’s word, noble, strong, honored, on highest horizon, obedient, refuting Prophet’s madness (Commentary 19-25, E.Ns 19-25, cross-referencing Surah Al-Haaqqah 69:40 for Quran as noble messenger’s word, Surah An-Najm 53:1-18 for seeing Gabriel).
  3. Prophet’s Credibility: Verses 22-25 address disbeliever accusations, stating Prophet not mad, saw Gabriel, doesn’t withhold unseen, Quran not Satan’s, challenging denial (Commentary 22-25, E.Ns 22-25, relevant to modern textual debates).
  4. Guidance for Mankind: Verses 26-29 question disbelievers’ direction, affirm Quran as reminder for all, for straight path seekers, subject to Allah’s will, emphasizing universal guidance and divine sovereignty (Commentary 26-29, E.Ns 26-29, E.N. 41 of Surah Al-Muddaththir for human choice and divine will).

Significance and Modern Relevance

Tafheemul Quran’s commentary on Surah 81 is not merely historical but forward-looking. Maududi applies the surah’s messages to modern challenges, such as disbelief, accountability, and textual authenticity. For instance:

  • Resurrection signs align with contemporary existential and scientific inquiries, urging reflection.
  • Divine revelation debates resonate with modern textual criticism, affirming Quran’s authenticity.
  • Prophet’s credibility addresses leadership integrity, applicable to modern contexts.
  • Guidance for all highlights Quran’s universal role, relevant to interfaith dialogues.

Supporting Resources

For further reading, the following URLs provide additional insights into Tafheemul Quran and Surah 81:

This comprehensive analysis ensures a thorough understanding of Surah 81 from Tafheemul Quran, aligning with the request for a detailed summary while providing context and modern relevance.