INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 8 verses, 34 sentences, 105 letters and 1 Ruku'.
The Sura has been so named after the very First word at-tin.
According to Qatadah, this Surah is Madani. Two different views have been reported from lbn Abbas: first that it is a Makki Surah, and second that it is Madani. But the majority of scholars regard it as a Makki revelation, a manifest symbol of which is the use of the words hadh-al-balad-il-amin (this city of peace) for Makkah. Obviously, if it had been revealed at Madinah, it would not be correct to use the words "this city" for Makkah. Besides, a study of the contents of the Surah shows that it belongs to the earliest period of Makkah, for in it there is no sign whatever to indicate that during the period of its revelation any conflict had started between Islam and unbelief. Morever, it reflects the same style of the earliest revelations of Makkah period in which briefly and succinctly the people have been made to realize that the judgement of the Hereafter is necessary and absolutely rational.
Its theme is the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter. For this purpose first swearing an oath by the habitats of some illustrious Prophets, it has been stated that Allah has created man in the most excellent of moulds. Although at other places in the Quran, this truth has been expressed in different ways, for example, at some places it has been said: "Allah appointed man His vicegerent on the earth and commanded the angels to bow down to him (Al-Baqara: 30,34, Al-Anam: 165, Al-Araf: 11, Al-Hijr 28,29, An-Naml: 62, Suad 71- 73);" at others that: "Man has become bearer of the Divine trust, which the earth and the heavens and the mountains did not have the power to bear (Al-Ahzab 72);" and at still others that: "We honoured the children of Adam and exalted them above many of Our other creatures (Banl Israil 70)," yet here the statement made on oath in particular by the habitats of the Prophets that man has been created in the finest of moulds, signifies that mankind has been blessed with such an excellent mould and nature that it gave birth to men capable of attaining to the highest position of Prophethood, a higher position than which has not been attained by any other creature of God.
Then, it has been stated that there are two kinds of men:. those who in spite of having been created in the finest of moulds, become inclined to evil and their moral degeneration causes them to be reduced to the lowest of the low, and those who by adopting the way of faith and righteousness remain secure from the degeneration and consistent with the noble position, which is the necessary demand of their having been created in the best of moulds. The existence among mankind of both these kinds of men is such a factual thing which no one can deny, for it is being observed and experienced in society everywhere at all times.
In conclusion, this factual reality has been used as an argument to prove that when among the people there are these two separate and quite distinct kinds, how can one deny the judgement and retribution for deeds? If the morally degraded are not punished and the morally pure and exalted are not rewarded and both end in the dust alike, it would mean that there is no justice in the Kingdom of God; whereas human nature and common sense demand that a judge should do justice. How then can one conceive that Allah, Who is the most just of all judges, would not do justice?
Maududi
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
95
: 1
1. Waaltteeni waalzzaytooni
By the fig and the olive -
95 : 2
2. Watoori seeneena
And by Mount Sinai -
95 : 3
3. Wahatha albaladi al-ameeni
And by this land rendered safe!
95 : 4
4. Laqad khalaqna al-insana fee ahsani taqweemin
Verily We created man with winsome features -
95 : 5
5. Thumma radadnahu asfala safileena
And then We reduced him into one baser than the basest, -
95 : 6
6. Illa allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati falahum ajrun ghayru mamnoonin
Except those who believe and perform righteous deeds for whom awaits an exceptional reward!
95 : 7
7. Fama yukaththibuka baAAdu bialddeeni
So who is there who can prevaricate the Judgement after this?
95 : 8
8. Alaysa Allahu bi-ahkami alhakimeena
Is not Allah mightier than the mightiest of judges? (R)
1. By the fig, and the olive,
2. By Mount Sinai,
3. And by this city of security (Makkah)[] ,
4. Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),
5. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low,
6. Save those who believe (in Islāmic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end (Paradise).
7. Then what (or who) causes you (O disbelievers) to deny the Recompense (i.e. Day of Resurrection)?
8. Is not Allāh the Best of judges?
095.001
YUSUFALI: By the Fig
and the Olive,
PICKTHAL: By the fig
and the olive,
SHAKIR: I swear by the
fig and the olive,
095.002
YUSUFALI: And the
Mount of Sinai,
PICKTHAL: By Mount
Sinai,
SHAKIR: And mount
Sinai,
095.003
YUSUFALI: And this
City of security,-
PICKTHAL: And by this
land made safe;
SHAKIR: And this city
made secure,
095.004
YUSUFALI: We have
indeed created man in the best of moulds,
PICKTHAL: Surely We
created man of the best stature
SHAKIR: Certainly We
created man in the best make.
095.005
YUSUFALI: Then do We
abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,-
PICKTHAL: Then we
reduced him to the lowest of the low,
SHAKIR: Then We render
him the lowest of the low.
095.006
YUSUFALI: Except such
as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.
PICKTHAL: Save those
who believe and do good works, and theirs is a reward unfailing.
SHAKIR: Except those
who believe and do good, so they shall have a reward never to be cut off.
095.007
YUSUFALI: Then what
can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?
PICKTHAL: So who
henceforth will give the lie to thee about the judgment?
SHAKIR: Then who can
give you the lie after (this) about the judgment?
095.008
YUSUFALI: Is not Allah
the wisest of judges?
PICKTHAL: Is not Allah
the most conclusive of all judges?
SHAKIR: Is not Allah
the best of the Judges?