Circumstances of Revelation
Place: Mecca. Al-Mizan: the theme of its verses resembles the Meccan sūrahs; some have claimed a consensus that it is Meccan. The claim that it is Medinan is not supported by the theme of the verses; some have also claimed that it is Medinan except for the first four verses. → Introduction
Verses 1–2: Majmaʿ al-bayān says the Quraysh held Mecca in honor but dishonored Muḥammad there, so God revealed I swear by this town, as you reside in this town, rebuking them. Another narration takes ḥill to mean that fighting in Mecca would be made lawful for him, which concerns the conquest of Mecca. → Commentary on verse 2 · Narrations
Verses 6–20: Al-Mizan's view: the context shows that these verses refer to a specific incident: someone who had professed Islam, or inclined to it, spent some of his wealth in charity and then boasted, "I have squandered immense wealth", and these verses were revealed in reply. A narration names al-Ḥārith b. Nawfal b. ʿAbd Manāf, who complained that he had lost all his wealth in expiations and donations since he accepted Islam. → Commentary on verse 6 · 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.