Kuna ripoti inayohusiana na kuteremshwa kwa sura hii inayosema kwamba wazee wa Quraysh walifanya kikao katika Dar al-Nadwah, mahali ambapo walikuwa wakikutana kwa kawaida ili kujadili tukio lolote kubwa. Wakati huu walikuwa wanajadili mkakati wao kuhusu Mtume ﷺ na ujumbe aliokuwa akiutetea. Mtume ﷺ alipopata habari za kikao hiki, alihuzunika. Akajifunika nguo, akajifunika mwili wake, kisha akaenda kulala. Malaika Gabriel akamletea sehemu ya kwanza ya sura hii, yenye aya 19, pamoja na amri ya kusimama kuswali usiku. Sehemu yake ya mwisho, yaani aya ya 20, iliahirishwa kwa mwaka mzima, ambapo Mtume ﷺ na baadhi ya Maswahaba wake walisimama kuswali usiku hadi miguu yao ikavimba kwa juhudi hiyo. Ndipo ikateremshwa sehemu ya pili ya sura, ikipunguza mzigo wao.

A report in connection with the revelation of this surah suggests that the Quraysh elders held a meeting in Dar akNadwah, a place where they normally gathered, in order to discuss any momentous event. This time they were discussing their strategy as regards the Prophet and the message he advocated. When the Prophet heard of this meeting, he was distressed. He wrapped himself in his clothes, covered himself and went to sleep. The Angel Gabriel then brought him the first passage of this surah, comprising 19 verses, with the command to stay up in worship at night. Its final part, consisting of Verse 20, was delayed for a full year, during which the Prophet and some of his Companions attended to their night worship until their legs were swollen from the effort. Only then was the surahs second part revealed reducing their burden.