Sūrah Aṭ-Ṭūr The Mount
الطور
49 verses, Makkī. Oaths by Mount Sinai, the parchment written upon, the visited house (Bayt al-Maʿmūr), the raised roof, and the sea set ablaze all swearing to the truth of divine punishment. The disbelievers who plotted against the Prophet ﷺ: are they the creators of themselves or of creation? Paradise described. The command to patience until the judgement.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
The rational refutation of disbelief (52:35–37): "Or were they created by nothing, or are they the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather they are not certain. Or do they have the depositories of your Lord? Or are they the controllers?" Ibn Kathīr records that Jubayr ibn Muṭʿim still a polytheist heard the Prophet reciting this surah and when he reached these verses, his heart almost flew out of his chest. He said: "My heart almost left me when I heard these verses, and that was the beginning of faith settling in my heart."
Children joining their parents in Paradise (52:21): "We will join their offspring to them and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds." Ibn Kathīr: the mercy of Allah believing children who die young are elevated to their parents' rank in Paradise; believers' believing children join them regardless of their own level of deeds. This verse gives hope to every parent.
- Bayt al-Maʿmūr (52:4): Ibn Kathīr cites the ḥadīth of the Night Journey the Prophet ﷺ saw Ibrāhīm ﷺ leaning against the Bayt al-Maʿmūr in the seventh heaven. 70,000 angels enter it daily for worship, leave, and never return so vast the angelic host that none repeat the visit.
- The sea set ablaze (52:6): Ibn Kathīr records two interpretations: the sea will literally be set on fire on the Day of Judgement; or "masjūr" means filled to overflowing. He prefers the first the seas becoming fire as part of the upheaval of the Day of Judgement.
- No food for the people of Hell (52:43–47): The disbelievers who said the Prophet was a poet just wait, they will see. "Have they a god other than Allah? Glory be to Allah above what they associate with Him." The coming punishment is certain patience until it arrives.
- Enjoying what they have been given (52:18–20): The righteous in Paradise reclining, calling for fruit of every kind, drinking with no intoxication, with pure-eyed companions. "With those who believed and whose offspring followed them." Ibn Kathīr: the communal joy of Paradise not solitary bliss but shared celebration.
- The night glorification (52:49): "And glorify the praise of your Lord when you arise and at night and at the setting of the stars." Ibn Kathīr: the adhān, the prayer, and the night supererogatory prayers all encoded in this brief command.