Surah 81 · Makki · 29 Ayahs
At-Takwir
The Overthrowing
التكويرDescribes in two stages the cosmic upheaval of the Hour and the subsequent judgment of souls, affirming both the Hereafter and the genuineness of the Prophet's revelation.
When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness]
And when the stars fall, dispersing,
And when the mountains are removed
And when full-term she-camels are neglected
And when the wild beasts are gathered
And when the seas are filled with flame
And when the souls are paired
And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
For what sin she was killed
And when the pages are spread [i.e., made public]
And when the sky is stripped away
And when Hellfire is set ablaze
And when Paradise is brought near,
A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it].
So I swear by the retreating stars -
Those that run [their courses] and disappear [i.e., set]
And by the night as it closes in
And by the dawn when it breathes [i.e., stirs]
[That] indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger [i.e., Gabriel]
[Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position],
Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy.
And your companion [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) ] is not [at all] mad.
And he has already seen him [i.e., Gabriel] in the clear horizon.
And he [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen.
And it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens].