People question the Great News of the Resurrection; God points to creation’s signs and the ordered cosmos as proof, then warns of the Day of Decision, when the disbelievers will face Hell and a fitting recompense for denying the truth.
The righteous are promised success: gardens, vineyards, pure companionship, and abundant drink—an honored reward from the Lord of the heavens and earth, who grants none the right to speak without His permission.
On the Day the Spirit and angels stand in ranks, no one speaks except by God’s leave and only with truth; the Qur’an warns that the Day is near, when people will see their deeds and the disbeliever will wish to be dust.
By the angels charged with taking souls and ordering affairs, the passage affirms that the Day of Resurrection will come with a single, overwhelming blast.
Moses is sent with a clear sign to Pharaoh, who rejects and claims lordship; God seizes him as a warning for those who fear.
The creation of the heavens and earth is cited as evidence of God’s power; at the Great Overwhelming Event, the rebellious face Hell, while the God-fearing gain Paradise.
People ask about the Hour, but its knowledge belongs to God; the Prophet is only a warner, and the world will seem brief when it arrives.
A rebuke for turning away from the earnest seeker, affirming that the message is a noble reminder carried by honored scribes for whoever seeks purification.
Verses 80:1-2 came down about Ibn Umm Maktum, a blind man. Al-Wahidi relates that he came to the Prophet while the Prophet was talking with Quraysh leaders, among them Utbah ibn Rabiah, Abu Jahl and al-Abbas, and inviting them to Allah. He kept calling out, "Teach me what Allah has taught you." The Prophet frowned and turned away, worried the leaders would say his followers were only the blind and the lowly. Afterwards he honoured Ibn Umm Maktum, greeting him as the man over whom his Lord had rebuked him. Al-Wahidi also gives a similar report from Aishah. Al-Fahl judges that report to be correctly mursal, without Aishah in the chain.
Humanity is censured for denial despite being created and guided by God; signs of His care are shown in rain, growth, and abundant food for people and livestock.
On the overwhelming Day, people flee even family ties; some faces shine with joy while others are darkened in disgrace for disbelief and wickedness.
Al-Wahidi reports from Anas ibn Malik that verse 80:37 came down after Aishah asked the Prophet whether people would be gathered naked, and he said yes. She cried out, "How shameful!" Then Allah revealed this verse. Al-Fahl says he could not find this report as a narration from Anas. He notes that a similar exchange is recorded from Aishah in al-Bukhari and Muslim. In that version the Prophet answers that the matter will be too grave for people to look at one another.
A series of vivid cosmic and earthly upheavals describe the collapse of the present order on the Day of Resurrection, ending with every soul realizing what it has brought forth.
An oath by celestial signs affirms that the message is conveyed by a noble, powerful messenger to Muhammad, who is not mad, and that it is not the word of an accursed devil.
People are challenged about where they are turning away, as the Quran is declared a reminder for those who seek uprightness, yet their willing is subject to the will of the Lord of all worlds.
Verse 81:29 came down in reply to Abu Jahl. Al-Wahidi reports from Sulayman ibn Musa that when Allah revealed verse 81:28, "to whoever of you wills to take the Straight Way," Abu Jahl said: "That is up to us. If we wish, we go straight, and if we do not wish, we do not." Allah then revealed verse 81:29, "But you cannot will, except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of all worlds."
Cosmic upheaval signals the Last Day as every soul sees its deeds; humanity is warned against neglecting the Generous Lord, while angels record actions and each person faces judgment with no helper besides God.
Condemnation of those who give short measure and weight, denial of the Day of Judgment, and warning of the record of the wicked and the fate of deniers.
Verses 83:1-3 came down about cheating traders in Medina. Al-Wahidi reports from Ibn Abbas that when the Prophet arrived in Medina, its people were among the worst at giving short measure, so Allah revealed these verses, and after that they measured fairly. Al-Fahl grades this chain weak. Al-Qurazi says Medina's merchants gave short measure and traded in gamble-like ways, and the Prophet went to the market and recited the verses to them. Al-Suddi says a man there named Abu Juhaynah kept two measures, one for buying and one for selling.