Sūrat al-Qamar is the fifty-fourth chapter in the present order of the Quran, and its name comes from the mention of the moon (al-qamar) in the first verse of the chapter. It is also referred to as Sūrat Iqtarabat al-Sāʿah[1] or simply Sūrat Iqtarabat.[2] It contains fifty-five verses and was revealed in Mecca, as can be discerned from its style and content. A minority of exegetes hold that verses 44-46 were revealed in Medina,[3] but this lacks evidence. The chapter is thought to have been revealed after Sūrat al-Ṭāriq (86) and before Sūrat Ṣād (38), and based on the ordering of Jābir ibn Yazīd, it was the thirty-seventh chapter to be revealed.[4]

The primary focus of the chapter is to warn the disbelievers and remind them of the punishment that awaits those who knowingly reject the truth. As such, only the last two verses give glad tidings to the pious believers about what awaits them in paradise.

The chapter begins by warning that the Day of Judgement is close and links this with the miracle of the splitting of the moon by Prophet Muhammad (s) which the polytheists rejected and claimed to be sorcery. The chapter thereafter reminds the polytheists of several nations – the peoples of Prophets Noah (a), Hūd (a), Ṣāliḥ (a), Lot (a), and Moses (a) – who similarly rejected their prophets and faced a painful consequence. Thereafter, it reminds the polytheists of Mecca that they are certainly not stronger than those nations and should thus not consider themselves immune from God’s punishment.

One of the significant features of this chapter is the use of the refrain, Certainly We have made the Quran simple for the sake of admonishment. So is there anyone who will be admonished? which is repeated a total of four times, each time after mentioning the events surrounding each nation. The use of refrains serves to sink a concept into the mind and the heart of the addressee. In addition to this chapter, refrains have been used in chapters al-Raḥmān (55), al-Shuʿarāʾ (26), and al-Mursalāt (77).

There is harmony between this and the previous chapter. The previous chapter mentioned the closeness of the Day of Judgement in its closing verses, The imminent [hour]is near at hand (53:57), whilst this chapter opens with a similar message, The hour has drawn near and the moon is split (verse 1). Furthermore, this chapter can be considered as a more detailed explanation of what was briefly mentioned in the previous chapter. For example, the current chapter describes the previous nations in detail and how they were punished, whilst the previous chapter alluded to this by saying, That it is He who destroyed the former ʿĀd, and Thamūd, sparing none [of them]; and the people of Noah before that; indeed, they were more unjust and rebellious. And He overthrew the town that was overturned, covering it with what covered it (53:50-54).

The vast majority of Shia and Sunni exegetes state that this chapter, or at least the first few verses, were revealed when Prophet Muhammad (s) performed a miracle by splitting the moon in two, at the request of the deniers.

The narrations regarding the splitting of the moon have been narrated by several companions, including Ibn Masʿūd, Anas ibn Mālik, Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān, Ibn Abbas, and Jubayr ibn Muṭʿim. Whilst the number of reports is quite sizable, thus giving confidence in the authenticity of their purport, the exegetes have differed as to whether the reports have reached the level of mass transmission (tawātur).[5] However, keeping in mind the fact that this event is in line with the apparent meaning of the verses of this chapter as well as the fact that both Sunni and Shia exegetes have claimed consensus about it,[6] there is no room for doubt in the occurrence of the event, although its nature may not be clear. A more detailed discussion surrounding this event and objections against it will be presented as a separate article under verse one.

Ibn Abbas reports that the polytheists gathered around the Prophet and said: ‘If you are truthful [in your claim] then split the moon into two pieces for us.’ The Prophet replied: ‘If I do so will you then believe [in my prophethood]?’ They said: ‘Yes!’ That night was the night of the full moon and the Prophet asked his Lord to give him what they had requested, and so the moon immediately split into two and the Prophet was calling: ‘O so-and-so! O so-and-so! Bear witness!’[7]

A similar report has also been attributed to Imam al-Riḍā (a).[8]

[1] Bukhari, 3/291.
[2] Ibn Ashur, 27/161.
[3] Zamakhshari, 4/430; Muhit, 10/32.
[4] Ibn Ashur, 27/161.
[5] Alusi, 27/74; Tafsīr al-Qāsimī, 15/260-261; Munyah, 27/174.
[6] Tibyan, 9/443; Muhit, 10/33.
[7] Tabrisi, 9/282.
[8] Amali.T, p. 341.