Surah At-Takwir (The Overthrowing)

At-Takwir means "The Overthrowing" or "The Folding Up," referring to the sun being wound up and extinguished among the upheavals of the Last Day.

At-Takwir is the 81st chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 29 verses in the final thirtieth of the text. Its first section presents a sweeping sequence of cosmic events marking the end of the world: the sun folded up, the stars falling and dimming, the mountains set in motion, the seas set ablaze, and souls paired together, culminating in every self coming to know what it has brought forth. The surah then turns to affirming the truth of the revelation, describing the noble character of its angelic bringer and defending the Prophet against accusations of madness, insisting the message is not the word of an outcast spirit but a reminder for all who wish to follow a straight path. Among its notable passages is a reference to the buried infant girl being questioned for what wrong she was killed, a striking condemnation of the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide. The surah closes by underscoring that guidance depends ultimately on the will of God.

Surah number: 81
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 29
Arabic: التكوير

Read Surah At-Takwir online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Cosmic upheavals of the Last Day
Every soul confronting its own deeds
Truth and authority of the revelation
Defense of the Prophet against slander
Condemnation of female infanticide
Human will and divine will in guidance

Why this surah matters

At-Takwir is well known for its vivid opening depiction of the end of the world, imagery frequently cited in discussions of the Last Day. It is also noted for its explicit reference to the buried infant girl, widely understood as a condemnation of the pre-Islamic practice of killing newborn daughters. As part of Juz' 'Amma, it is among the shorter, commonly memorized chapters. Many Muslims encounter it in study and recitation of the final juz', and its themes of cosmic reckoning appear often in sermons.

Frequently asked questions

What does "At-Takwir" describe?

The name means "The Overthrowing" or "Folding Up" and refers to the sun being wound up and extinguished, part of the surah's depiction of the cosmic events of the Last Day.

What is notable about this surah's mention of an infant girl?

It refers to the buried infant girl being questioned for what wrong she was killed, widely understood as a condemnation of the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide.

Is At-Takwir Meccan or Medinan?

It is traditionally classified as a Meccan surah, consistent with its focus on the Last Day and the defense of the revelation.

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