Surat al-Tin is Makkan. (1)

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“By the fig and the olive; by Mount Sinai; and by this secure city.” (1–3)

Regarding “By the fig and the olive,” Ibn Abbas, al-Hasan, Mujahid, Ibrahim, Ata ibn Abi Rabah, Muqatil, and al-Kalbi said: They are these figs of yours (2) which you eat, and these olives of yours from which you press oil.

It was said: The fig was singled out for the oath because it is a fruit free of any pit, resembling the fruits of Paradise. The olive was singled out because of its many benefits and because it is a blessed tree, as mentioned in hadith. It is both a fruit and an oil, suitable for use as a condiment and as food.

Ikrimah said: They are two mountains. Qatadah said: “The fig” is the mountain upon which Damascus stands, and “the olive” is the mountain upon which Jerusalem stands, because they produce figs and olives.

Al-Dahhak said: They are two mosques in Syria. Ibn Zayd said: “The fig” is the mosque of Damascus, and “the olive” is the mosque of Jerusalem. Muhammad ibn Kab said: “The fig” is the mosque of the Companions of the Cave, and “the olive” is the mosque of Aelia.

“And by Mount Sinai”: that is, the mountain upon which Allah spoke to Moses, peace be upon him. We have already mentioned its meaning in connection with His words, “and a tree issuing from Mount Sinai” (3) (al-Muminun 20).

“And by this secure city”: that is, the safe city—meaning Mecca—where people are safe, both in the pre-Islamic era and in Islam. All of these are oaths, and that which is sworn to is His saying: