Surah At-Takwīr (“The Overturning”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 29 verses. It was revealed in the early phase of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission. The name At-Takwīr means “the folding up,” referring to the opening verse that describes the moment when the sun will be rolled up at the end of the world.
According to Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurtubī, the surah portrays the cosmic upheavals of the Day of Judgment and confirms the truthfulness of the Prophetic message. As reported in a hadith from At-Tirmidhī (no. 3333), the Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever wishes to see the Day of Resurrection as if before his eyes, let him recite At-Takwīr, Al-Infitar, and Al-Inshiqaq.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
Surah At-Takwīr vividly depicts the signs of the Last Hour and reaffirms the authenticity of the Prophet’s mission. Its key lessons include:
- Depiction of the cosmic cataclysm that will accompany the end of the world: the sun will fold up, the stars will fade, and the mountains will be set in motion. (vv. 1–6)
- Reference to the resurrection of all beings and the reckoning of souls. (vv. 7–14)
- Affirmation of the truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ and the divine origin of revelation. (vv. 15–25)
- Refutation of the disbelievers’ claims that the Prophet was possessed: he conveys an inspired message, confirmed by the Angel Gabriel. (vv. 19–25)
- A final call to reflect on destiny and personal accountability. (vv. 26–29)
This surah combines powerful apocalyptic imagery with theological affirmation: the end of the world is certain, and the Qur’an is an authentic divine revelation.
Structure and Main Themes
- Cosmic signs of the Last Hour (vv. 1–14): universal upheaval and resurrection.
- Authenticity of the Prophetic message (vv. 15–25): oaths by celestial bodies and confirmation of Gabriel’s role as bearer of revelation.
- Free will and divine will (vv. 26–29): guidance is available to those who seek it, by God’s permission.
The tone of the surah is vivid, urgent, and revelatory: it seeks to awaken human consciousness through a vision of the world’s end and the certainty of divine truth.
Key Verses
The central verses of the surah are verses 27–29:
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ * لِمَن شَاءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ * وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
It is nothing but a reminder to all worlds — for whoever among you wills to walk straight. But you will not will unless God, Lord of the worlds, wills it.
Why these verses are key:
- They summarize the balance between human choice and divine will: man chooses, yet his will operates within God’s decree.
- They affirm the universal scope of the Qur’anic message: a reminder for all beings.
- They close the surah by emphasizing the interconnection between revelation, guidance, and submission to God.
In summary, Surah At-Takwīr offers a striking vision of the Last Day while confirming the truth of the Qur’anic revelation. It highlights God’s power, the authenticity of the Prophetic mission, and each person’s moral responsibility in choosing their path of faith.