The Surah of At-Tin (The Fig)

 

The Surah of At-Tin

Revealed in Makkah, it is the 28th surah in order of revelation, preceding the Quraysh surah and succeeding the Buruj surah.

In the arrangement of the Qur'an, it is the 95th chapter, placed after Surah Al-Inshirah and before Surah Al-Alaq.

It contains 8 verses, 34 words, and 162 letters. It is part of the 30th Juz'.

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Arabic Text

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ‎

وَالتّ۪ينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِۙ

وَطُورِ س۪ين۪ينَۙ

وَهٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْاَم۪ينِۙ

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسَانَ ف۪ٓي اَحْسَنِ تَقْو۪يمٍۘ

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ اَسْفَلَ سَافِل۪ينَۙ

اِلَّا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ اَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍۜ

فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدّ۪ينِۜ

اَلَيْسَ اللّٰهُ بِاَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِم۪ينَ

English Text

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:

1. By the fig and the olive,
2. And Mount Sinai,
3. And this secure city,
4. Indeed, We created man in the best of stature,
5. Then We returned him to the lowest of the low,
6. Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.
7. So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?
8. Is not Allah the most just of judges?

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Interpretation (Tafsir):

1. Opening Oaths:

   • The surah begins with oaths by the fig, the olive, Mount Sinai, and the secure city.
   • The "secure city" refers to Makkah, the place where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first received divine revelation.
   • Mount Sinai is where Prophet Musa (Moses) received his revelation.
   • The "olive" mountain is associated with Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) and is traditionally linked to the land where he was sent as a messenger and carried out his mission of prophethood according to Islamic tradition.
   • The mention of "fig" may symbolize the Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) is said to have attained enlightenment.

   The "fig" referred to here might be the ficus religiosa, a sacred fig native to the Indian subcontinent. This tree is deeply revered in Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. You can explore its history in the Bodhi Tree Wikipedia article.

2. Significance of Religions:

   • The surah highlights the four major religious traditions—Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism—drawing attention to their divine origins and influence.

3. The Creation of Humans:

   • Verse 4 emphasizes humanity's noble creation, both physically and morally, representing the pinnacle of divine artistry.

4. Degradation of Humans:

   • Verse 5 addresses the moral decline of humans when they deviate from divine guidance, even after being created in an elevated state.

5. Exemption for Believers:

   • Verse 6 assures that those who maintain faith and perform righteous deeds will receive an eternal reward, free from any interruptions.

6. A Question of Denial:

   • Verse 7 challenges those who reject the faith, questioning what causes them to deny the truth after such clear signs.

7. Divine Justice:

   • Verse 8 concludes by affirming Allah's unparalleled justice, treating all individuals and religions with fairness and integrity.

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Allahu a’lam bi muradihi – Allah knows best His intention behind these words.