Circumstances of Revelation
Place: Mecca; the theme of the sūrah clearly shows this. → Introduction
Where it came down: Ibn Masʿūd reports that Sūrah al-Mursalāt was revealed to the Prophet while he and others were with him in a cave at Miná; he learned it from the Prophet's mouth as he recited it, and it was still fresh on his lips when a snake attacked him; they chased it, but it escaped. → Narrations
Verse 48 (when they are told, "Bow down," they do not bow down): It is said that it was revealed about the Thaqīf, who refused when the Prophet ordered them to pray, saying bowing was an insult to them. Al-Mizan: it is not clear how this story relates to the verse, because it must have occurred after the Prophet's migration to Medina. → Narrations
A summary prepared from Tafsīr al-Mīzān: where and when the sūrah was revealed, and the occasions reported for its verses, with the ʿAllāmah's view of them. Each point links to the full discussion.