وَٱلطُّورِ 1
Translations
By the mount
Transliteration
Wa-al-tur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah At-Tur with an oath (qasam) by 'the Mount,' referring to Mount Sinai where Allah gave the Torah to Prophet Musa (Moses). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that Allah swears by this sacred mountain to emphasize the certainty and importance of what follows in the surah—namely, the promise of the Day of Judgment and resurrection. The oath serves to draw attention to the majesty of divine revelation and the seriousness of accountability on the Last Day.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tur is a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh were denying the resurrection and the final judgment. This opening oath by Mount Sinai connects the previous scriptures (Torah) with the Qur'an, establishing continuity of divine guidance while preparing listeners for the surah's central themes of resurrection, divine justice, and the punishment of deniers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned Mount Sinai in various contexts. Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet spoke of the virtues of the lands where prophets were sent. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there are references to the significance of Mount Sinai in relation to the revelation given to Musa, reinforcing the connection between past and present revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This opening reminds believers that Allah's revelations throughout history—from Moses to Muhammad—are unified in purpose and authenticity, encouraging us to reflect on the consistency of divine guidance. The oath emphasizes that the truths about the afterlife and divine accountability are as certain as the sacred revelations of the past, calling us to prepare for the Day of Judgment with sincerity.