81. Surah At-Takwir; The Wrapped up 🌟⛰️🐫
(Believed to be the 7th surah to be revealed)
Surah At-Takwir is a Meccan surah consisting of 29 verses that powerfully describe the events of the Day of Judgment. It was revealed as a direct message to those who denied resurrection and the hereafter, making it highly relevant even for contemporary atheists.
The surah begins with dramatic cosmic signs: “the sun will be wrapped up” (verse 1), with the Arabic word 'kuwwirat', meaning continuous wrapping up, leading to complete darkness; “the stars will fall down” (verse 2); and “the mountains will be removed” (verse 3), a striking image that interestingly aligns with modern scientific findings that mountains can slightly move.
The following verses describe the chaos on Earth: “the pregnant she-camels who are ready to deliver will be neglected” (verse 4), symbolizing total disruption, while “all the wild beasts will gather and be all together” (verse 5), an almost impossible occurrence. The surah continues with the awe-inspiring scene where “oceans will be on fire” ('bihaaru' meaning all the oceans, verse 6), emphasizing the scale of the destruction. Souls will then be gathered in pairs (verse 7), and those wronged in this world, such as “a small girl who was buried alive” (verse 8), will be questioned about their unjust deaths—reflecting the pre-Islamic practice of burying infant girls alive. Everyone’s deeds will be displayed openly: “our books of good/bad deeds will be made public in front of everyone” (verse 10).
The surah then describes the sky being “stripped away” (verse 11), “Hellfire set ablaze” (verse 12), and “paradise will be brought near” (verse 13), so that both Heaven and Hell are visible to all. Allah swears “by a retreating star which runs really fast and disappears” (verses 15-16), a statement echoed in modern astronomy with the discovery of fast-moving, almost invisible stars. The surah also highlights the role of “the noble Angel Gibreel” ('rasoolin kareem', verse 19), the trustworthy messenger who brought revelation to the Prophet ﷺ.
In the closing verses, Allah reassures the Prophet ﷺ with, “And your companion is not [at all] mad” (verse 22), affirming his sanity despite accusations, and “Muhammad is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen” (verse 24), emphasizing that he only conveys what Allah reveals. The surah challenges the disbelievers by asking, “So where are you going?” (verse 26), urging reflection on their rejection of truth. It ends by emphasizing free will and the necessity of constant prayer: whoever truly wills may follow the right path, but ultimately, it is all “Allah’s will.”
- The Day of Judgment will bring immense cosmic upheaval—sun wrapped up, stars falling, mountains removed
- Natural order will be completely disrupted and every soul will be gathered and held accountable
- Hellfire and Paradise will both be clearly visible to all on that day
- Guidance is ultimately by Allah’s will; sincere prayer and desire are essential to remain on the right path
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