ABSTRACT
This chapter, which takes its title from the proclamation contained in ver. 28, is made up of a number of revelations enunciated at Makkah and Madína. A few writers, says Noëldeke, regard the whole chapter as Madínic; whereas, on the other hand, Muir seems to regard the whole as belonging to Makkah. It is difficult, indeed, to speak with much confidence in regard to the time and place of some of the passages, but there are a few, about which there can be little doubt, which may serve the purpose of landmarks; e.g., vers. 25–43, compared with chap. ii. 196–200, iii. 97, and v. 95–97, none of which are Makkan, and none of which can be reckoned of earlier date than A.H. 5 or 6, must be referred to Madína. The same is true of vers. 59, 60, where reference is made to the Muhajjarín, and to “those who have been killed” in battle (Noëldeke), or “who were afterwards slain” (Rodwell). Again, the animus of the revelations in vers. 44–58 and vers. 68–79 clearly points to Makkah. This is especially true of ver. 50, where Muhammad is styled α preacher, and of ver. 73, where the violent opposition of the unbelievers is mentioned.
