Surah Al-Takwir

The Winding Up

Introduction

Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name

The name of this chapter is Surah al-Takwir and it is from its opening verse in which the winding up of the sun at the end of earthly life and the dawn of eternity is discussed.

Chapter Number

Surah al-Takweer is the 81st chapter of the Holy Quran.

Number of Verses

This chapter has 29 verses.

Place of Revelation

Exegetes believe this chapter to be a Makki one.

Content

Important Concepts in this Chapter

Verses 1-14

The introductory verses of this chapter discuss the signs, preliminaries and occurrences of the Day of Judgement. They describe that Day to be one in which each and every action of man will be known.

Verses 15-29

This chapter goes on to protect the Prophet against the polytheists’ accusations of him being crazy. Furthermore, it also defends the Holy Quran against Satan’s accusations. The Quran itself claims to be the word of Allah which has been delivered through Jibrail -the angel of revelation. This angel under no circumstances would ever betray or compromise the revealing of such a sacred Book. The Quran is a reminder which through Allah’s will, guides whomsoever He desires to be guided to the straight path.

Discussions on this Chapter

According to the Sunni Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

عن رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: من قرأ سورة إذا الشمس کورت أعاذه الله آن یفضحه حین تنشر صحیفته

It has been narrated from the Messenger of Allah that he said: “Whoever recites the chapter ‘When the sun is wound up’ (Surah al-Takweer), Allah will protect him from being disgraced when his book is opened [on the Day of Judgement].

According to the Shia Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

ابْنُ عُمَرَ قَالَ قَالَ رسول‌الله ص مَنْ أَحَبَّ آن ینْظُرَ إِلَی یوْم الْقِیامَةِ فَلْیقْرَأْ إِذَا الشَّمْسُ کوِّرَتْ

Ibn Umar quotes the Messenger of Allah as having said: “Whoever would love to have a look at the Day of Judgement, should recite ‘When the sun is wound up’ (Surah al-Takweer). Verse 2: “When the stars scatter.”

وَإِذَا النُّجُومُ انْكَدَرَتْ٢ عَنِ النَّبِی ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ یجِی‌ءُ الْمَقْتُول ظُلْماً یوْمَ الْقِیامَةِ وَ أَوْدَاجُهُ تَشْخَبُ دَماً اللَّوْنُ لَوْنُ الدَّمِ وَ الرِّیحُ رِیح الْمِسْک مُتَعَلِّقاً بِقَاتِلِهِ یقُولُ یا رَبِّ سَلْ هَذَا فی‌ام قَتَلَنِی

It has been narrated from the Prophet that he said: “A person who was killed out of oppression will come on the Day of Judgement, while there will be blood flowing from his jugular veins; and its colour will be the colour of blood, but its smell will be that of musk. When he takes hold of his killer, he will say: ‘O my Lord! Ask him for what (crime) did he kill me?’” Verse 7: “When the souls are assorted.”

وَإِذَا النُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ٧ فِی رِوَایةِ أَبِی الْجَارُودِ عَنْ أَبِی جَعْفَرٍ فِی قَوْلِهِ: «وَ إِذَا النُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ» قَالَ: أَمَّا أَهْل الْجَنَّةِ فزوجوا الْخَیرَات الْحِسَان، وَ أَمَّا أَهْلُ النَّارِ فَمَعَ کلِّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْهُمْ شَیطَان - یعْنِی قَرَنت نُفُوسُ الْکافِرِینَ وَ الْمُنافِقِینَ بِالشَّیاطِینِ - فَهُمْ قرناؤهم.

Abu al-Jarood narrates from Abu Jafar regarding these words of Allah – ‘When the souls are assorted’ that he said: “As for the inmates of the Paradise, they will be married to [the maidens] good and lovely; and as for the inmates of the fire, there will be a shaytan (devil) with each one of them, meaning that the souls of the disbelievers and hypocrites will be in the company of devils. Thus they will be their companions.”