Surah 37
(The Rangers)
(Makkan Period)
Title
The word al-ṣaffät, meaning the rangers, used in the opening verse constitutes the surah's title.
Period of Revelation
It appears from the content and style of the surah that it was presumably revealed in the middle phase, and possibly even dur- ing the last stage of the middle phase, of the Prophet's Makkan life. The tenor of the discourse clearly reveals that fierce hostility to Islam was dominant, and that the Prophet (peace be on him) and his Companions were confronted with the most daunting of circumstances.
Subject Matter and Themes
The Makkan unbelievers are sternly warned in the surah against their rejection of the Prophet's call to monotheism and the Here- after. The unbelievers had greeted this call with a volley of jest, derision and ridicule. They had also vehemently dismissed his claim to be God's Messenger. These unbelievers are now being unequivocally told that soon enough the Prophet (peace be on him), whom they had mockingly dismissed, will prevail over them, and they will find God's hosts occupying their very courtyards (see vv. 171-179). Significantly enough, the unbelievers were served with this warning at a time when apparently there existed no tokens of the Prophet's success. Rather, these early Muslims, who have been designated as God's hosts (verse 173), were the victims of savage persecution. About three fourths of these Makkan Mus- lims had already migrated from their home town. No more than 40 to 50 Muslims were left with the Prophet (peace be on him) in Makkah and they had to put up with all manner of hardships. It was inconceivable in the face of these harsh realities that the Prophet (peace be on him) and his handful of resourceless fol- lowers would eventually triumph. On the contrary, it appeared that the Prophet's call would be buried in the sands of Makkah's valleys. But hardly 15 or 16 years had passed before Makkah was conquered by the Muslims and what was foretold in this surah (see vv. 171-173) came true.
The surah combines its warning to the unbelievers with an address providing words of counsel and a persuasive exposition of Islam's teachings. Convincing arguments are also succinctly advanced in the course of the surah to corroborate the Islamic doctrines of monotheism and the Hereafter. Furthermore, the fal- lacious notions entertained by the polytheists are also effectively critiqued to lay bare the absurdity of their beliefs. They are apprised of the dire consequences of the errors in which they were mired and also informed, by way of contrast, of the splendid results of adhering to sound belief and righteous conduct. In this context, examples are provided by referring to the annals of human his- tory. These examples clearly show how God dealt in the past with earlier Prophets and their nations; the myriad ways in which He lavished His favours on His loyal servants and punished those who gave the lie to His Prophets.
Of the historical stories narrated in this surah, the most instruc- tive one relates to the life of the Prophet Abraham (peace be on him).