Sūrat al-Takwīr is suggested to be one of the earliest chapters to have been revealed in Mecca,^{‎[1]In the available chronological lists of Quranic surahs, Sūrat al-Takwīr is identified as the sixth, seventh, or eighth Meccan surah to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s); see The History of the Qur’ān, pp. 38, 49-50; Qur’ānic Sciences, p. 280; Talkhīṣ al-Tamhīd, 1/94.} and consists of twenty-nine verses. The suggestion in favour of its Meccan provenance is based on the evidence adduced from within itself, which is the accusation of insanity and satanic inspirations made against the Prophet by his opponents and the chapter’s rebuttal of these accusations; such accusations occurred repeatedly in Mecca.^{‎[2]Mizan, 20/213.}

The contents of this chapter revolve around two important pivots, which are the Day of Judgement and the divine origin of the Quran.^{‎[3]Mizan, 20/213.} The first pivot, related to the Day of Judgement, is from verse 1 to 14. These fourteen verses may further be divided into two subsections. The first subsection consists of the first six verses which describe the cataclysmic signs heralding the Day of Judgement. The second subsection, which extends from verse 7 to 14, actually describes the events of the Day of Judgement itself. It is pertinent to note that the concepts outlined in these fourteen verses are repeated with variations in other chapters of the Quran, all in the context of the Day of Judgement, such as chapters 52, 56, 75, 77, 78, 82, and 84.

It may also be pertinent to point out that the theme of eschatology, which manifests that history has a terminal point and that existence is not just an unending drift through time but rather that it culminates in an event, is a prominent theme identified in Meccan surahs of the Quran.^{‎[4]Qur’ānic Sciences, p. 102.} Therefore, its prominence in this surah where it makes up half of its content, may be considered to be an additional evidence of the identity of this surah as Meccan.

The second pivot reiterates the divine origin of the Quran, emphasising the greatness of the angelic intermediary entrusted with conveying the Quranic messages from God to Prophet Muhammad (s), as well as deflecting the various accusations directed at the one to whom the Quranic messages were revealed. These emphases are preceded and augmented by specific oaths as a means to awaken humankind from their stupor.

[1] In the available chronological lists of Quranic surahs, Sūrat al-Takwīr is identified as the sixth, seventh, or eighth Meccan surah to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s); see The History of the Qur’ān, pp. 38, 49-50; Qur’ānic Sciences, p. 280; Talkhīṣ al-Tamhīd, 1/94.
[2] Mizan, 20/213.
[3] Mizan, 20/213.
[4] Qur’ānic Sciences, p. 102.