Surah At-Takwir [81] | Overview, Themes, Lessons & More

Surah Name: At-Takwir (سورة التكوير)
Translation: The Overthrowing / Shrouding
Origin of name: The name "At-Takwir" is derived from the first verse, which describes the sun being shrouded or folded up, symbolizing the dramatic events of the Last Day.

Surah Number: 81
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 29

Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: Early period of the Makkan era

Historical Context

Surah At-Takwir was revealed during the early years of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission in Makkah. This was a time when Islamic teachings were just beginning to spread, and the Prophet faced strong resistance from the Quraysh. The people of Makkah, steeped in idol worship and tribal traditions, rejected the idea of resurrection and the Hereafter.

The Makkans were also skeptical of the Prophet himself. They accused him of being a poet, a madman, or someone possessed by jinn. Many doubted the authenticity of the Qur'an, claiming that it was not divine revelation but merely human words or something whispered by devils.

In this tense and hostile environment, Surah At-Takwir served to affirm the divine origin of the Qur’an. It vividly described the signs of the coming Day of Judgment, forcing listeners to reflect on their mortality and accountability. The Surah also defended the character of the Prophet Muhammad, insisting he was neither mad nor deceived but rather receiving revelation from a noble and trustworthy messenger—Angel Jibreel.

In a hadith narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever wishes to see the Day of Resurrection as if he were witnessing it with his own eyes should recite ‘When the sun is put out’ (Iḏā ash-shamsu kuwwirat), ‘When the sky splits open’ (Iḏā as-samāʾun infatarat), and ‘When the sky bursts open’ (Iḏā as-samāʾun inshaqqat).”[1,2]

In the Surah at-Takwir, the arrangement of words and sentences, along with the rhyming endings of the verses, produces sounds that are pleasing to the ear, while also conveying a profound sense of eloquence (fasāhat) and rhetorical mastery (balāghat).

References:
[1] Musnad, II, 27
[2] Tirmidhī, “Tafsīr”, 74

Main Themes of Surah At-Takwir

• The Collapse of the Natural Order at the End of Time:
  The surah opens with vivid descriptions of cosmic events that will occur at the end of the world. The sun will be darkened, the stars will fall, the mountains will disappear, and the seas will overflow. These images signal the coming of the Day of Judgment and reflect the complete breakdown of the natural order.

• The Reality of the Hereafter:
  The surah emphasizes that on that Day, every soul will know what it has done and what it has prepared for the afterlife. It reminds people to be aware of their deeds and their consequences.

• The Trustworthiness of the Revelation and the Prophet:
  The Quran is confirmed to be a true revelation sent by Allah. It was delivered by the noble and trustworthy angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It also defends the Prophet from accusations of madness or deceit, affirming that he speaks only what is revealed to him.

• The Divine Origin of the Quran:
  Through oaths by natural signs like the stars, night, and morning, Allah affirms that the Quran is not the word of devils or lies, but a truthful and divine message.

• Call to Reflect and Choose Guidance:
  The surah ends by asking, “Where are you going?”—calling people to reflect on their path and decisions. The Quran is described as a reminder for those who want to follow the right path, but true guidance depends on Allah’s will.

Key Lessons from Surah At-Takwir

• The universe will experience a complete collapse on the Day of Judgment.
• Every person will be fully aware of their past actions on that day.
• The Quran is a true revelation, sent by Allah through the trustworthy angel Jibreel.
• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not mad or misled; he delivers truth sincerely.
• The message of the Quran is not from a devil but from divine origin.

Notable Ayahs from Surah At-Takwir

• Verses 1–3:
  "When the sun is put out, and when the stars fall down, and when the mountains are blown away,…"
  A powerful description of the catastrophic events of the Day of Judgment and the awakening of every human being to their deeds.

• Verses 15–21:
  "I do swear by the receding stars which travel and hide, and the night as it falls and the day as it breaks! Indeed, this ˹Quran˺ is the Word of ˹Allah delivered by Gabriel,˺ a noble messenger-angel, full of power, held in honour by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there ˹in heaven˺, and trustworthy."
  These verses confirm the divine origin of the Quran and the high status of the angel who brought it (Gabriel).

• Verse 22:
  "And your fellow man is not insane."
  A direct defense of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) against claims that he was mentally unstable.

• Verse 25:
  "And this ˹Quran˺ is not the word of an outcast devil."
  Rejects the accusation that the Quran’s source was demonic.

• Verses 26–29:
  "So what ˹other˺ path would you take? Surely this ˹Quran˺ is only a reminder to the whole world— to whoever of you wills to take the Straight Way. But you cannot will ˹to do so˺, except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of all worlds."
  A reminder that true guidance comes with the willingness of the individual and the will of Allah.