This surah constitutes a profound and effective address to the human heart. It aims to eradicate doubts, misrepresentations and false assump tions that may linger in some corners of the human mind. It refutes every argument or excuse to justify deviation from the path of faith. It seeks to do this with an irresistible onslaught, one that inevitably forces submission. In order to achieve this, the surah employs all aspects of the Qur’anic discourse including choice vocabulary, connotations, images, musical notes and beats. From start to finish, its verses flow like missiles fired in quick succession, its beats like thunderbolts and its images like a running, captivating film that does not stop for even a moment.

The surah begins with Gods oath by some sacred things in the heav ens and earth, some of which are well known and others that belong to the realm that lies beyond human perception: “By Mount Sinai; by a scripture inscribed on unrolled parchment; by the much-visited House; by the vault raised high; by the swelling sea” (Verses 1-6) This oath con firms something really awesome and it fills its listeners with terror. It is expressed in words that most suit its feared outcome, painting an image that leaves the heart shuddering: Lord's punishment will indeed come to pass. Nothing can stop it. On the day when the sky will shake and reel, and the mountains will move away.” (Verses 7-10) As we visualize this scene, we see and hear the horror that causes violent shaking, coupled with a well-deserved rebuke: “ Woe on that day to those who deny the truth, who idly play with vain trifles. On that day they will be irresistibly thrust into the fire ofhell, [and told:] 'This is the fire you used to deny! So is this sorcery, or do you not see? Bum in it! It will be the same whether you bear it with or without patience. You are being requited for what you have done.19 (Verses 11—16)