Surah Al-Tin (Arabic: التين) is the 95th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 8 verses. It is a Meccan surah and was revealed after Surah Al Sharh. It contains significant scientific information, spiritual and ethical messages, with themes related to human creation, morality, and the concept of reward and punishment in the hereafter.
The Revelation:
As is commonly known about the Holy Qur'an, its verses are revealed in response to various events within the same surah, with each verse or group of verses addressing specific incidents.
“We have certainly created man in the best of stature”. It is reported that this verse was revealed concerning Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughira or Kalda ibn Asid, in response to their rejection of the resurrection after death. The verses serve as a reminder of Allah’s ﷻ power in creating humans in the best form and condition.
Another reason for the revelation is that some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ grew to an old age, to the point where they lost their mental capacities and could no longer perform their religious duties. When people inquired about their status, the verse “Then We return him to the lowest of the low” was revealed, along with the rest of the surah, to explain that these individuals were excused and that their rewards would continue as they were before they lost their mental abilities.
- Verse 1: By the fig and the olive
- Verse 2: And [by] Mount Sinai
- Verse 3: And [by] this secure city,
- Verse 4: We have certainly created man in the best of stature;
- Verse 5: But We will reduce them to the lowest of the low,
- Verse 6: Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward never-ending,
- Verse 7: Now, what makes you deny the ˹final˺ Judgment?
- Verse 8: Is Allah not the most just of all judges?
In depth:
1. The Oaths:
In Surah Al-Tin, the opening verses where Allah ﷻ swears by the fig, the olive, Mount Sinai, and the secure city (Makkah) serve a profound spiritual and symbolic purpose. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons scholars believe Allah ﷻ swears by these significant items and places:
a. Symbolism of Prophetic Missions
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The Fig and the Olive: These are believed to represent the land of Palestine, a region associated with the prophethood of Jesus (Isa), peace be upon him. Some scholars interpret the fig and the olive to symbolize the nourishment and spiritual blessings of these fruits, which are abundant in that region. The fig and the olive may also be metaphorical references to the places of revelation where prophets, particularly Jesus, peace be upon him, were sent.
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Mount Sinai (Tur Sinin): This mountain is where Moses (Musa), peace be upon him, received the Ten Commandments and communicated directly with Allah ﷻ. It symbolizes the revelation of divine law and guidance.
- The Secure City (Makkah): This refers to Makkah, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the holiest city in Islam. The city is known for its safety and as the central place of monotheism where the Kaaba is located.
b. Connection Between Past and Present Prophethood
By swearing by these sacred places, Allah ﷻ connects the prophethood of Jesus, Moses, and Muhammad, peace be upon them — representing different stages of divine revelation to humanity. It emphasizes the continuity of the monotheistic message and the unification of the prophetic missions, showing that the same God who guided earlier prophets is guiding Muhammad ﷺ.
c. The Greatness of Human Creation
After swearing by these significant locations, Allah ﷻ declares that humans are created in the "best of stature". The oath serves as a prelude to this statement, highlighting that the same God who created humans with such perfection is the one who sent prophets to guide them.
2. The Best Stature:
In this verse, Allah ﷻ has clarified that humans are His best creation, distinguished by the beauty of their marvelous structure. He created humans with a well-proportioned stature, gave them hands to use for eating, and clothed them to appear in the best form.
A scientific fact is that humans are the only creatures with a fully upright stature (bipedalism) as their natural mode of movement. While other creatures, can stand or walk on two legs temporarily, humans are unique in being naturally adapted to walking upright on two legs at all times.
This physical uniqueness is often seen as a sign of dignity and honor and is sometimes interpreted as a reflection of the higher spiritual and moral capacities endowed to humans by Allah ﷻ.
The verse also hints at the preceding verses, emphasizing the significance of the first verse, “By the Fig and the Olive,” in highlighting the health benefits these fruits offer in order to preserve our biological age and appearance.
3. The Human Decline:
The human decline mentioned in the verse "Then We return him to the lowest of the low", is understood by scholars in multiple ways. This verse immediately follows the statement that humans are created in the best of forms, suggesting a contrast between human potential and human decline.
Interpretations of Human Decline:
a. Physical Decline (Old Age and Frailty):
- Many scholars interpret this verse as a reference to the inevitable physical decline that comes with aging. After being created in the "best of stature," with physical strength and abilities, humans naturally face the deterioration of their bodies as they grow older. This includes losing strength, vitality, and cognitive abilities as part of the aging process.
- The verse reminds us of the cyclical nature of human life—starting in a state of weakness as infants, reaching physical and intellectual peaks in adulthood, and then gradually declining into old age.
b. Moral or Spiritual Decline:
- Another interpretation relates to the moral and spiritual dimension. While humans are created with great potential for good, wisdom, and moral uprightness, they can also fall into moral decay if they neglect divine guidance. When humans turn away from faith, righteousness, and ethical conduct, they descend into the "lowest of the low," meaning they squander the high moral and spiritual position that Allah ﷻ has given them.
- This interpretation suggests that those who reject divine guidance or become corrupt despite their capacity for higher values and morality end up in a state of disgrace and spiritual ruin.
- The verse also refers to that Allah ﷻ will reward those who followed along His path in life by continuing to add to their good deeds even if old age prevented them from performing religious duties, for mental or physical reasons, which disbelievers are not granted the same privileges, and as a result, continue to decline in good deeds in old age.
c. Decline in the Afterlife (for the Disbelievers):
- Some scholars link this verse to the punishment in the hereafter for those who reject faith and fail to live up to their moral potential. While humans are given the opportunity to attain greatness, those who deny the message of Allah ﷻ and engage in wrongdoing will face a lowly status in the afterlife, possibly referring to punishment in Hell, Hell being the lowest of places to be.
- The verse could be a warning to those who deny the resurrection and accountability, highlighting that failing to fulfill their purpose in life leads to disgrace in the next life.
4. Exception for the Righteous:
In the next verse, Allah ﷻ says: "Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward never ending". This exception indicates that the decline mentioned earlier applies only to those who fail to live righteous lives. Those who maintain their faith and do good deeds are protected from this decline, either in this life (by retaining their spiritual integrity) or in the hereafter (by receiving eternal reward in paradise).
5. The Certainty of Divine Justice and Accountability:
In verse 7 of Surah Al-Tin, Allah ﷻ asks, “So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?”, addressing those who reject the reality of the Day of Judgment and the divine system of accountability. After describing humans as being created in the best form and their eventual decline, this rhetorical question challenges the listener to reflect on what justifies denying the inevitable truth of being held accountable for one's actions. The term Recompense (الدين) refers to the Day of Judgment, a time when each person will be rewarded or punished based on their deeds.
Following this, verse 8 states, “Is not Allah the most just of judges?”, emphasizing that Allah's ﷻ judgment is absolute and perfect. It reminds listeners that, given human dignity and purpose, it is only logical that Allah ﷻ, as the wisest and most just judge, will administer justice in the hereafter. This verse reassures believers that no injustice will occur on the Day of Judgment, as every person will be judged fairly, and every action will be accounted for without any deed being overlooked.
Conclusion:
In all cases, Surah Al-Tin emphasizes human dignity and potential but also serves as a reminder that this elevated status comes with responsibility. Humans must use their physical, intellectual, and spiritual gifts wisely to avoid descending into a state of decline, whether in this life or the next, and are held accountable for their actions.
Translation and Pronunciation:
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