1. By the fig and the olive – this is either the fruit which is eaten or possibly refers to two mountains in greater Syria where both trees grow,

2. …and Mount Sinai – the mountain where Allah Almighty spoke to Musa. “Sinin” means either blessed or beautified with fruit trees,

3. …and this safe land! – meaning Makka, because people are safe in it, both in the Jahiliyya and in Islam.

4. We created man – meant generically – in the finest mould: the most balanced and harmonious form.

5. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low – as occurs with some individuals, indicating senility and weakness. So the actions of the believer are less than they were when he was young, and yet he will still have the reward for them. Allah says,

6. …except for those who believe and do right actions: they will have a perpetual wage that never fails. In a hadith we find: “When a believer reaches old age, whatever actions he is unable to do are recorded for him.”

7. What could make you, unbelievers, deny the Reckoning after this? – after what has been mentioned about the creation of the human being in the best form and then his return to the lowest of the low, which proves that Allah has the power to resurrect, how can you deny the coming repayment which is preceded by resurrection and reckoning?

8. Is Allah not the Justest of Judges? He gives the best decree, and His decree is that there be repayment. We read in a hadith: “Whoever recites Sürat at-Tın in full should then say, ‘Yes indeed, and I am one of those who bear witness to that.’”