The following is from a work-in-progress called The Qur'an: a Book Report, in which I read each surah of the Qur'an and write about what I learn.
This surah has a passionate, almost frustrated tone, as it harshly criticizes the people of Mecca who deny the prophet’s message. He swears on “the mountain” (Mt. Sinai, where Moses received his revelation) that the unbelievers will burn in hell on the Day of Judgment.
By contrast, those who believe the prophet’s message (and do good deeds) will go to the gardens of paradise, where they will be re-united with their children and “beautiful-eyed maidens.” It’s unclear whether these maidens are their wives, or different women.
The prophet ends by addressing the criticisms of unbelievers who say that he is a sorcerer, a madman, a poet, or that he simply made it all up. His response is basically that he will be vindicated on the coming Day of Judgment (an event which did not happen during the prophet’s lifetime, and has still not happened).
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| Mt. Sinai is located in Egypt. |
