﴿1 - 8﴾ “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. By the fig and the olive * and Mount Sīnīn * and this secure city * We certainly created man in the finest form * then We reduced him to the lowest of the low * except those who believe and do righteous deeds—for them is a never-ending reward * What, then, causes you to deny the Judgment? * Is Allah not the wisest of judges?”

“The fig” is the familiar fig, and likewise “the olive.” Allah swears by these two trees because of the many benefits found in their trees and fruit, and because they are most prevalent in the Levant, where Jesus son of Mary—peace be upon him—received his prophethood.

“And Mount Sīnīn” means Mount Sinai, where Moses—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—received his prophethood.

“And this secure city” is honored Mecca, where Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—received his prophethood. Thus Allah Most High swore by these sacred places, which He chose and from which He sent forth the finest prophetic missions (1), the noblest of all.

The subject of the oath is His statement: “We certainly created man in the finest form.” That is, He created him fully formed, with proportionate limbs and an upright stature, lacking nothing he needs, outwardly or inwardly. Yet despite these immense blessings, for which he should duly give thanks, most people turn away from thanking their Benefactor and occupy themselves with amusement and play. They are content with the lowest pursuits and the basest character traits. Allah therefore relegated them to “the lowest of the low”—that is, the lowest depths of Hell, the abode of those who disobey and rebel against their Lord—except those whom Allah favored with faith, righteous deeds, and noble, lofty character. “For them” ⦗930⦘, on account of that, are lofty stations and “a never-ending reward”—that is, one that is never cut off. Rather, they will enjoy abundant pleasures, recurring joys, and ever-increasing blessings for an eternity that never ends, amid bliss that never passes away. Its fruit is everlasting, and so is its shade.

“What, then, causes you to deny the Judgment?” That is: What causes you, O man, to deny the Day on which deeds will be recompensed, when you have seen so many of Allah’s signs as should give you certainty, and so many of His blessings as oblige you not to disbelieve in anything He has told you?

“Is Allah not the wisest of judges?” Does His wisdom allow Him to leave creation aimless, without commands or prohibitions, reward or punishment?

Or is it not inevitable that the One who created man through successive stages, bestowed upon them more blessings, goodness, and beneficence than they could ever count, and nurtured them so well, must return them to an abode that will be their permanent home and ultimate destination, toward which they are proceeding and heading? It is complete, and all praise is due to Allah.

Commentary on Sūrat Iqraʾ

[It is] Meccan.