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 is a Meccan surah, which means it comes from the first half of the prophet’s life, when he was preaching his message of radical monotheism to the largely polytheistic inhabitants of Mecca.
The prophet is convinced that, if the people reject his message, they will suffer the same destructive fate as previous communities who rejected their prophets, like Noah, Salih, Lot, and Moses. This destruction will happen on the Day of Judgment (a concept shared by Christians), when God will separate believers and unbelievers, and send them to either hell or paradise.
The title of the surah comes from the first line: “The hour draws near, the moon is split,” referring to an apocalyptic event that will happen on the Day of Judement—the moon will crack in two! Divine judgment aside, that would really fuck with the tides.
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| If you see this, stay away from the beach. |
