Surah Tur

Surah Tur (سُورَةُ الطُّور), the 52^nd surah of the Quran, was revealed in Mecca and is located in juz 27. It is the initial surah of juz 27 and derives its name from the Arabic word “Tur,” meaning “mountain,” which alludes to Mount Sinai, where Prophet Musa (Moses) received revelation. In this Islam4u article, we will delve into the themes Allah discusses in this surah.

Facts About Surah Tur

The surah named “Tur,” meaning mountain derives its name from the very mountain where Moses (a) would receive divine revelations. Allah initiates this surah by taking an oath by that sacred mountain. Surah Tur is the 76^th surah that Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s) in Mecca. In the current arrangement of surahs, it is the 52^nd surah. It has 49 verses, 313 words, and 1324 letters.

Arabic Text and Translation of Surah Tur

Verse One: The Mountain

The first verse of Surah Tur reads:

وَٱلطُّورِ ‎﴿١﴾

By the Mount [Sinai].

Certain surahs in the Quran commence with Allah taking oaths by entities of immense importance, leading to crucial matters being addressed. In Surah Tur, Allah begins by swearing by Mount Sinai, the very mountain where Moses (a) received revelations from Allah. The Quran informs us that Moses (a) spent forty nights on this mountain, during which he received the Tablets of Stone containing comprehensive guidance and elaboration on various matters. Thus, this mountain holds a sacred status, and Allah swears by it for this reason. It is worth noting that Allah has the authority to swear by anything He wishes, as everything is under His creation. However, it is common for Allah to swear by objects of great significance.

Verse Two: The Book Inscribed

 The second verse of Surah Tur reads:

وَكِتَٰبٍ مَّسْطُورٍ ‎﴿٢﴾

By the Book inscribed.

The book inscribed or written could mean any holy scripture, such as the Quran or the Torah. If we consider this verse as being semantically related to the previous one, then it could mean the Torah, the Holy Scripture that was revealed to Moses (s) on Mount Sinai.

Verse Three: The Open Book

فِى رَقٍّ مَّنشُورٍ ‎﴿٣﴾

On an unrolled parchment.

This verse talks about a scripture that is always open and not closed or rolled. This could be a reference to Lawh al-Mahfuz (لَوحُ المَحفُوظ), the safeguarded tablet in which everything concerning the events of the entire universe, in the present, past, and future is written.

Verse Four: The Sacred Bayt al-Ma‘mur

Verse four of Surah Tur reads:

وَٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْمَعْمُورِ ‎﴿٤﴾

By Bayt al-Ma’mur.

Bayt al-Ma‘mur, according to some narrations, is a house of Allah situated above the Kaaba in the fourth heaven where the angels are constantly circumambulating it and glorifying and worshipping Allah.^[1]

Verse Five: The Firmament

Verse five of Surah Tur reads:

وَٱلسَّقْفِ ٱلْمَرْفُوعِ ‎﴿٥﴾

By the vault raised high.

The word saqf means ceiling, vault, or firmament. It is a reference to the first heaven, or the sky of the earth with all of its adornments, such as the stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets. Some say it is impossible to pierce the sky as Allah has made it “protected.”^[2] They say that no one has been able to leave the Earth, and all the claims made by people of going to “outer space” are lies and hoaxes to deceive the public. There is also a growing trend on the Internet claiming that the moon landing was an elaborate hoax and that no one has gone to outer space. Allah knows best.

Verse Six: The Sea of Fire

Verse six of Surah Tur reads:

وَٱلْبَحْرِ ٱلْمَسْجُورِ ‎﴿٦﴾

By the sea filled [with fire].

As for what exactly the fiery sea is, there are at least two views based on our narrations. According to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a), it is a sea that is below the Throne of Allah.^[3] Others have said that it is a sea that will become fiery on the Day of Judgment.^[4]

Verse Seven: Allah’s Punishment Is Inevitable

Verse seven of Surah Tur reads:

إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ لَوَٰقِعٌ ‎﴿٧﴾

Indeed your Lord’s punishment will surely befall.

After swearing by different things, Allah mentions an important fact. His punishment will certainly be meted out to the wrongdoers and those who deny Allah and His punishment. It is on the Day of Judgment when everyone will be brought to account for all their deeds. Those who have disbelieved in Allah will taste His punishment.

Verse Eight: No One Can Stop Allah From Punishing the Wrongdoers

Verse eight of Surah Tur reads:

مَّا لَهُۥ مِن دَافِعٍ ‎﴿٨﴾

There is none who can avert it.

Allah is the one who will resurrect the dead on the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah). He is the sovereign on that day, as the verse reads:

ٱلْمُلْكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ ۚ وَكَانَ يَوْمًا عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَسِيرًا ‎﴿٢٦﴾

On that day true sovereignty will belong to the All-beneficent, and it will be a hard day for the faithless.^[5]

Allah will reign supreme on the Day of Judgment. He will judge people based on justice and fairness. Those who deserve punishment will be punished, and no one can avert His punishment on that day. Of course, He will handsomely reward the righteous.

Verses Nine to Ten: Two of the Signs of the Day of Judgment

Verses nine to ten of Surah Tur read:

يَوْمَ تَمُورُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ مَوْرًا ‎﴿٩﴾‏ وَتَسِيرُ ٱلْجِبَالُ سَيْرًا ‎﴿١٠﴾

On the day when the sky whirls violently, (9) and the mountains move with an awful motion. (10)

When will this punishment be administered? It will be on a day when the skies are ripped apart and all celestial bodies will fall out of orbit. Events that are unexpected and deviate from the norm will occur. Mountains will move and be crumbled like carded wool.^[6] What is going on? Why are the laws of nature being violated? It is because a new order is about to be created. All living things will die with the first blow of the horn, and all of them will be resurrected with the second blow.^[7]

Verse 11: Woe to the Deniers

Verse 11 of Surah Tur reads:

فَوَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ‎﴿١١﴾

Woe to the deniers on that day.

What a hard day will it be for those who used to deny Allah and His signs. They were those who ridiculed Allah’s prophets and teachings. They denied the existence of Allah. They denied the final Prophet and the true religion of Islam. Most importantly, they denied the Day of Judgment and thought they will not be resurrected to be held accountable for their misdeeds. Woe to them on that day. The punishment that Allah talked about in the previous verses will be inflicted on these people.

Verse 12: The Characteristics of the Deniers

Verse 12 of Surah Tur reads:

ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى خَوْضٍ يَلْعَبُونَ ‎﴿١٢﴾

Those who play around in vain talk.

Who are the deniers? Allah introduces them by first saying that they used to engage in false and vain talk. They were the ones who said the verses of the Quran are nothing but “lies.” They were the ones who said the miracles of the Prophet (s) were “magic.” They called the Prophet a “madman.” They would make a mockery of the truths that the prophets of Allah brought. Yes. These people are the deniers who deserve to be punished.

Verse 13: Hell Welcomes the Deniers

Verse 13 of Surah Tur reads:

يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا ‎﴿١٣﴾

The day when they will be shoved forcibly toward the fire of hell.

The deniers will be forcibly taken to hell. No matter how much they resist, they will be thrown into hell to remain in it forever. What a dreadful fate awaits the deniers. All of those who deny the existence of Allah, the truthfulness of His prophets, the Quran, and the Day of Judgment should take heed of these verses and avoid becoming one of the deniers.

Verse 14: Denial of the Fire

Verse 14 of Surah Tur reads:

هَٰذِهِ ٱلنَّارُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ ‎﴿١٤﴾‏

 ‘This is the Fire which you used to deny!

When the deniers are thrown into the fire of hell, they will know then that they were the ones who were mistaken and not Allah and His prophets. If only they had listened to Allah’s prophets, they would be saved from such punishment.

Verse 15: Is This Also Magic?

Verse 15 of Surah Tur reads:

أَفَسِحْرٌ هَٰذَآ أَمْ أَنتُمْ لَا تُبْصِرُونَ ‎﴿١٥﴾

Is this, then, [also] magic, or is it you who do not perceive?

Those who denied the signs of Allah used to say that they are nothing but magic. Now that they are about to go to hell, Allah will ask them, “Is this also magic, or are you blind?” Indeed, the punishment of Allah is true and will befall those who denied Allah and the Day of Judgment.

Verse 16: Patience Will Not Do You Any Good Now

Verse 16 of Surah Tur reads:

ٱصْلَوْهَا فَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ أَوْ لَا تَصْبِرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ‎﴿١٦﴾

Enter it, and it will be the same for you whether you are patient or impatient. You are only being requited for what you used to do.’

Patience will be of no avail now that they have become the inmates of hell. This punishment is worthy of them because they were the ones who transgressed and committed all kinds of sins, the worst of them being the denial of Allah, His prophets, angels, Holy Scriptures, and the Day of Judgment.

Verse 17: The Rewards of the Godwary

Verse 17 of Surah Tur reads:

إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَنَعِيمٍ ‎﴿١٧﴾

Indeed the Godwary will be amid gardens and bliss.

Now Allah talks about the other side of the coin. Those who had been wary of Allah will enter paradise, to be blessed with all kinds of rewards. Just how difficult was it to believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment? If it were not for the stubbornness of the disbelievers, they would be saved from the punishment of the Fire.

Verse 18: The Inhabitants of Paradise Rejoice

Verse 18 of Surah Tur reads:

فَٰكِهِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ‎﴿١٨﴾‏

Rejoicing because of what their Lord has given them, and that their Lord has saved them from the punishment of hell.

The inhabitants of paradise will be extremely happy and pleased with their Lord for granting them paradise and saving them from hell. How fortunate they are and how unfortunate are the dwellers of hell.

Verse 19: Enjoy Your Food and Drink!

Verse 19 of Surah Tur reads:

كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـَٔۢا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ‎﴿١٩﴾

[They will be told:] ‘Enjoy your food and drink, [as a reward] for what you used to do.’

Allah never breaks His promise. He had promised the righteous the rewards of paradise. If anyone believes in Allah, His prophets, the Day of Judgment, and everything Allah has said in the Quran, Allah will surely reward them in the best manner. They will enjoy delicious food and drinks that you cannot compare to anything on earth.

Verse 20: Marriage With Houris

Verse 20 or Surah Tur reads:

مُتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَّصْفُوفَةٍ ۖ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ ‎﴿٢٠﴾

They will be reclining on arrayed couches, and We will wed them to big-eyed houris.

Allah talks about two other rewards for those who enter paradise. The first is arrayed and lined-up couches. Second, Allah will marry them to fair heavenly women with big, lovely eyes who are known as houris. They are beautiful and perfect women whom Allah has described in many verses of the Quran. They are chaste and modest and only love their husbands.^[8]

Verse 21: The Believing Offspring of Believers Shall Enter Paradise

Verse 21 of Surah Tur reads:

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَٰنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَآ أَلَتْنَٰهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ كُلُّ ٱمْرِئِۭ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ ‎﴿٢١﴾‏

The faithful and their descendants who followed them in faith—We will make their descendants join them, and We will not stint anything from [the reward of] their deeds. Every person is hostage to what he has earned.

This is another great blessing that the inhabitants of paradise enjoy. Their children, grandchildren, and descendants also join them in paradise while none of their good deeds is reduced. They will enjoy their company just as they did in their lives in the world. At the end of the verse, Allah says that people will be recompensed according to their deeds and nothing else.

Verse 22: Heavenly Fruits and Meat

Verse 22 or Surah Tur reads:

وَأَمْدَدْنَٰهُم بِفَٰكِهَةٍ وَلَحْمٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ ‎﴿٢٢﴾

We will provide them with fruits and meat, such as they desire.

Many material blessings exist in heaven. The inhabitants of paradise will be rewarded with all kinds of fruits and any meat that they desire. The fruits of heaven always exist, unlike worldly fruits where some are only available in specific seasons. No matter how much they eat from those fruits or meat, they will not diminish. In other words, they are so abundant that all the inhabitants of paradise can benefit from them as many times as they wish. The part of the verse that says, “such as they desire,” denotes that they have a wide variety of choices they can make as to what food they want.

Verse 23: The Special Wine of Paradise

Verse 23 of Surah Tur reads:

يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا لَّا لَغْوٌ فِيهَا وَلَا تَأْثِيمٌ ‎﴿٢٣﴾

There they will pass from hand to hand a cup wherein there will be neither any vain talk nor sinful speech.

By cup, Allah is talking about the pure wine of paradise that does not intoxicate. Rather, it invigorates and increases the joy of the drinker. Moreover, it will not be accompanied by vain talk or sinful speech as it does not cause drunkenness.

Verse 24: The Handsome Servants of Paradise

Verse 24 of Surah Tur reads:

وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ غِلْمَانٌ لَّهُمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَّكْنُونٌ ‎﴿٢٤﴾

They will be waited upon by their youths, as if they were guarded pearls.

In another surah, Allah has depicted these devoted beings as eternal youths. These youthful individuals, akin to young lads, dutifully cater to the inhabitants of paradise, presenting them with heavenly wine and other delightful offerings. Regardless of the passage of time, these youths perpetually retain their youthful vigor.

Considering the servants of paradise possess such extraordinary beauty, resembling radiant pearls, one can only imagine the unparalleled charm and attractiveness of the believers they serve!

Verse 25-28: Why Did We Become the Inhabitants of Paradise?

Verses 25-28 of Surah Tur read:

وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ ‎﴿٢٥﴾‏ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا قَبْلُ فِىٓ أَهْلِنَا مُشْفِقِينَ ‎﴿٢٦﴾‏ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَوَقَىٰنَا عَذَابَ ٱلسَّمُومِ ‎﴿٢٧﴾‏ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلُ نَدْعُوهُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْبَرُّ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ‎﴿٢٨﴾

They will turn to one another, questioning each other. (25) They will say, ‘Indeed, aforetime, we used to be apprehensive about our families. (26) But Allah showed us favour and He saved us from the punishment of the [infernal] miasma. (27) We used to supplicate Him aforetime. Indeed He is the All-benign, the All-merciful.’ (28)

The inhabitants of paradise start conversing with one another. Some of them will say, “We feared the punishment of this day among our families and relatives lest their sins entangle us.” They will say that Allah saved them from the punishment of that day because they believed in Allah and followed all of His commands. They confess that Allah has shown enormous kindness toward their insignificant deeds, and how He has encompassed them with His mercy despite their slip-ups. They say how they would supplicate Allah in their life in the world and how He has answered their supplication now.

 Verses 29-31: The Prophet Is the Apostle of Allah, Not a Madman

Verses 29-31 of Surah Tur read:

فَذَكِّرْ فَمَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَتِ رَبِّكَ بِكَاهِنٍ وَلَا مَجْنُونٍ ‎﴿٢٩﴾‏ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ شَاعِرٌ نَّتَرَبَّصُ بِهِۦ رَيْبَ ٱلْمَنُونِ ‎﴿٣٠﴾‏ قُلْ تَرَبَّصُوا۟ فَإِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُتَرَبِّصِينَ ‎﴿٣١﴾‏

So admonish. By your Lord’s blessing, you are not a soothsayer, nor mad. (29) Do they say, ‘[He is] a poet, for whom we await a fatal accident’? (30) Say, ‘Wait! I too am waiting along with you.’ (31)

In these verses, Allah addresses the Noble Prophet (s) assuring him that he is neither a soothsayer nor a madman, despite all of the accusations they had leveled at him. The people of Quraish used to say that Prophet Muhammad (s) is nothing but a poet. They would say, “Like all other poets, if he dies, his religion, teachings, and the Quran will be forgotten.” The verse commands the Prophet (s) to say, “Wait for your [own] time to come. I am also waiting for that time.” This means that their expectations will not be fulfilled. On the contrary, the Quran will become an everlasting book that is beyond the limits of time.

Verse 32: Do the Deniers Use Their Intellect?

Verse 32 of Surah Tur reads:

أَمْ تَأْمُرُهُمْ أَحْلَٰمُهُم بِهَٰذَآ ۚ أَمْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ ‎﴿٣٢﴾

Is it their intellect which prompts them to [say] this, or are they a rebellious lot?

These accusations and slanders do not arise from their intellect, but rather the manifestation of disobedience and rebelliousness that dominates the essence of these individuals.

Verses 33-34: The Quran is the Word of Allah Not the Prophet (s)

Verses 33-34 of Surah Tur read:

أَمْ يَقُولُونَ تَقَوَّلَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ ‎﴿٣٣﴾‏ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِحَدِيثٍ مِّثْلِهِۦٓ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ ‎﴿٣٤﴾

Do they say, ‘He has improvised it [himself]?’ Rather, they have no faith! (33) Let them bring a discourse like it, if they are truthful. (34)

The polytheists claimed that the Quran was not the words of God, but rather the words of Prophet Muhammad (s) himself. They would say that he was the one who improvised the Quran and had the scribes write them down. Verse 33 firmly rejects such a claim, stating that they say such a thing because they do not have faith in Allah and His Prophet (s). The next verse offers them a challenge. If what they say is correct, then they too should be able to bring the like of it. This verse was revealed when there were many Arab poets and literary figures. However, none of them despite their skill in composing poetry and creating literary works was able to bring the like of the Quran in terms of eloquence and coherence. This is one of the strongest arguments of the Quran concerning its truthfulness and miraculous nature.

Verse 35: The Argument of Creation

Allah says in verse 35 of Surah Tur:

أَمْ خُلِقُوا۟ مِنْ غَيْرِ شَىْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُونَ ‎﴿٣٥﴾

Were they created from nothing? Or are they [their own] creators?

Is it possible that we came into existence without a cause and without a creator? Did we come into existence by accident and from nothing? When we trace back our lineage to the first human being, who do we find? If it is Adam, who was before him? How did he come into being? Does this chain of having a father and mother continue indefinitely? The answer is obviously no. Allah created Adam and through him He created us. Likewise, we are not our own creators, but rather it is Allah who created us.

Verse 36-43: Allah Asks a Series of Rhetorical Questions

Verse 36-43 of Surah Tur read:

أَمْ خَلَقُوا۟ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ ‎﴿٣٦﴾ أَمْ عِندَهُمْ خَزَآئِنُ رَبِّكَ أَمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُصَۣيْطِرُونَ ‎﴿٣٧﴾‏ أَمْ لَهُمْ سُلَّمٌ يَسْتَمِعُونَ فِيهِ ۖ فَلْيَأْتِ مُسْتَمِعُهُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ ‎﴿٣٨﴾‏ أَمْ لَهُ ٱلْبَنَـٰتُ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ ‎﴿٣٩﴾‏ أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ ‎﴿٤٠﴾‏ أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ ‎﴿٤١﴾‏ أَمْ يُرِيدُونَ كَيْدًا ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْمَكِيدُونَ ‎﴿٤٢﴾‏ أَمْ لَهُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ‎﴿٤٣﴾

Did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they have no certainty! (36) Do they possess the treasuries of your Lord? Or do they control [them]? (37) Do they have a ladder [leading up to heaven] whereby they eavesdrop? If so, let their eavesdropper produce a manifest authority. (38) Does He have daughters while you have sons? (39) Do you ask them for a reward, so that they are [wary of] being weighed down with debt? (40) Do they have [access to] the Unseen, which they write down? (41) Do they seek to outmaneuver [Allah]? But it is the faithless who are the outmaneuvered ones! (42) Do they have any god other than Allah? Clear is Allah of any partners that they may ascribe [to Him]! (43)

In these verses, Allah asks a series of rhetorical questions. The answer to all of these questions is no.

1. They have not created the heavens and the earth.

2. They do not possess the treasuries of their Lord and have no control over them.

3. They do not have a ladder leading up to heaven where they can eavesdrop.

4. Allah does not have daughters.

5. The Prophet (s) does not ask them for a material reward in exchange for guiding them.

6. They do not have access to the Unseen.

7. They cannot outmaneuver Allah.

8. They have no god but Allah.

Verses 44-47: The Wrongdoers Are in Denial of Their Own Punishment

Verses 44-47 of Surah Tur read:

وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كِسْفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا۟ سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ ‎﴿٤٤﴾ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كِسْفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا۟ سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ ‎﴿٤٤﴾‏ فَذَرْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يُصْعَقُونَ ‎﴿٤٥﴾‏ يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ‎﴿٤٦﴾‏ وَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ عَذَابًا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ‎﴿٤٧﴾

[They are so stubborn that] if they see a piece of rock falling from the sky [to punish them] they say, ‘This is a dense cloud!’ (44) [Now that they cannot be guided by reason] leave them to see the day on which they will perish, (45) the day when their guile will not avail them in any way, nor will they be helped. (46) There is a punishment for the wrongdoers before that [in this world], yet most of them do not know. (47)

The wrongdoers are in denial. If they see a rock falling on their heads as a form of punishment, they will deny it and say it is just a dense cloud. This is how stubborn and obstinate they are. Allah tells the Prophet (s) to leave them and not waste his time on them because they would not be guided. They will see with their own eyes how they would be punished on the day they are brought to account. On that day, they cannot do anything to repel the punishment from themselves, and no one will help them. Even before the Day of Judgment, Allah will punish them in this world, but they do not know that they are being punished.

Verses 48-49: Having Patience and Offering Worship: Two Things Allah Urges the Prophet to Do

Verses 48-49 of Surah Tur read:

وَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا ۖ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ ‎﴿٤٨﴾‏ وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَإِدْبَٰرَ ٱلنُّجُومِ ‎﴿٤٩﴾‏

And have patience with the judgment of your Lord because you are under Our care. And praise and glorify your Lord when you rise [from sleep]. (48) And also glorify Him a part of the night and when the stars disappear. (49)

The Prophet (s) is invited to patience after facing all these accusations, disruptions in conveying the message of truth caused by his enemies, and insults. If they call you a soothsayer, madman, and poet, be patient. After all these clear pieces of evidence, if they still remain obstinate, be patient and do not weaken or become heartbroken. Allah says that He Himself is the guardian of the Prophet and oversees him. Then Allah tells the Prophet to purify his soul through glorifying and praising Him. By doing this, He would gain strength both spiritually and physically, and in this way, he will be able to perform his duty toward Allah in the best manner.

Benefits of Reciting Surah Tur

It is mentioned in Tafsir Majma‘ al-Bayan quoting the Prophet as saying, “Whoever recites Surah Tur, it is incumbent on Allah to save them from the punishment of hell and make him one of the inhabitants of paradise.

Moreover, it has been narrated that the Prophet (s) used to recite Surah Tur in his Maghrib prayer.

Another narration from Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a) states that whoever recites Surah Tur, Allah will grant him the good of this world and the next.

Conclusion

Surah Tur, the 52^nd surah of the Quran that was revealed in Mecca, begins with Allah swearing by different significant entities, such as Mount Sinai, the written book, the raised vault, and so on. He then says how the punishment of the wrongdoers is inevitable on the Day of Judgment. He then goes on to talk about the rewards of the righteous on that day and mentions some of the blessings they will enjoy. Then Allah mentions how the Prophet is neither a soothsayer, madman, nor poet. Then Allah continues by proving that He is the Lord of the universe by asking a series of rhetorical questions. In the end, Allah asks His Prophet (s) to be patient with all the difficulties they create for him and to praise and glorify Allah so he becomes invigorated and able to fulfill his duty.

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References

[1] Cf. Tabarsi, vol. 9, p. 247; Fakhr Razi, vol. 4, p. 46.

[2] Cf. Quran 21:32.

[3] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 55, p. 107.

[4] Al-Qummi, vol. 2, p. 331.

[5] Quran 25:26.

[6] Cf. Quran 101:5.

[7] Cf. Quran 39:68.

[8] Cf. Quran 37:48; 38:52; 55:56.