Surah At-Tin belongs to the Mufassal, by which the Prophet ﷺ was favoured over the other prophets. It is established in Al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ recited it in the ’isha prayer while on a journey; Al-Bara’ ibn ’Azib said he had never heard a more beautiful voice or recitation. It is therefore read at ’isha, especially when travelling, when the prayer is lightened.
Al-Bara’ ibn ’Azib heard the Prophet ﷺ recite it in the ’isha prayer and never heard anyone with a more beautiful voice or recitation. Ibn Hajar explains that he recited short Mufassal surahs at ’isha because he was travelling, when lightness is sought.
Authentic (sahih)Al-Bukhari (769, 4952, 7546) and Muslim (464)
It belongs to the Mufassal, the last part of the Qur’an by which the Prophet ﷺ was favoured over the other prophets, according to the hadith of Wathilah ibn al-Asqa’: “… and I was favoured with the Mufassal.”
Arabic text, translation, reference and authenticity grade of each hadith.
سمعت النبي ﷺ يقرأ في العشاء ﴿وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ﴾ فما سمعت أحدًا أحسن صوتًا أو قراءة منه
I heard the Prophet ﷺ recite “By the fig and the olive” in the ’isha prayer, and I have never heard anyone with a more beautiful voice or recitation than him.
Main purpose: To recall Allah’s favour to man in his upright nature and form, and the perfection of the final Message.
Surah At-Tin has eight verses; the correct view is that it is Meccan, as reported from Ibn Abbas and others, which is supported by the oath by Mecca: “and by this secure city”. Qatadah held it to be Medinan, a view with no evidence. It was revealed after Al-Buruj and before Quraysh.
The full Arabic text: introduction, virtues, themes, and a study of the chain and authenticity of each hadith.
