This surah is called ash-Sham because it begins by swearing by the sun ‘as-shams,’ which brightens the earth with its light.
Surah ash-Shams was revealed in Makkah. The surah warns the disbelievers of Allah’s punishment and says that it will befall them just as it befell the former disbelievers if they insist on disbelieving in Allah’s Oneness. It also refers to some aspects of Allah’s ability in creating the wonderful universe with its amazing beauty and creatures.
Relationship between Surah as-Shams and Surah al-Balad
According to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf, surah ash-Shams comes after surah al-Balad.
Surah al-Balad is concluded by referring to the people of Paradise and the people of Hell. Then, surah as-Shams describes each party and mentions their behaviors.
91:9 Successful is indeed he who purifies it,
91:10 And failed has indeed he who corrupts it.
Surah al-Balad mentions that Hell will be the abode of the disbelievers in the Hereafter, and surah ash-Shams refers to the punishment of the disbelievers in this world, namely, destruction.
Main Topics Discussed in Surah ash-Shams
• Swearing by some great creatures in the universe and the human soul that one should reflect on the universe and its unique creation.
• Referring to man’s role in refining his soul and making it used to noble ethics to succeed in this world and enter Paradise in the Hereafter, or neglecting it and allowing it to follow its whims, which will lead it to lose in this world and the Hereafter.
• Mentioning an example of the evil end of following one’s whims, namely, the tribe of Thamud that neglected Allah’s commands and disobeyed Him. Thus, Allah’s severe punishment befell it and it was destroyed.
• In sum, surah ash-Shams invites people to worship Allah alone, obey His commands, and warns of the evil end of disobeying Allah’s commands and following the soul's whims.
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