The Last Surah Revealed in Mecca

First Opinion: Surah Al-Mutaffifin

Surah Al-Mutaffifin, also known as “Woe to Those Who Give Less” or “The Surah of Measurement and Weighing,” is considered the final Meccan surah to be revealed. This viewpoint is shared by scholars such as the renowned linguist Al-Zamakhshari and Imam Al-Suyuti. Al-Zamakhshari asserts it is Meccan and marks the last surah revealed in Mecca, while Al-Suyuti notes in his book “Al-Ittqan” that it is indeed the last revealed Meccan surah, having been sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before the Hijra. Additionally, Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi proposes its Meccan status due to its discussions about the righteous and the wicked.

The surah comprises sixty-three verses and addresses themes such as wealth and the oppression of the rich toward the poor. It condemns the practice of dishonest measurement and weighing, explicitly detailing the fate of the wicked who face punishment in the lowest levels of Hell, while the righteous are promised rewards in the highest ranks of Paradise. The surah also highlights the mockery that the criminals hurl at the believers in this life, only to have the tables turned on the Day of Judgment, when the believers will mock them in return. While it is said that parts of this surah were revealed between Mecca and Medina, with the final verses coming in Medina, Al-Qurtubi relays that it is acknowledged as Meccan based on accounts from Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him), Al-Dahhak, and Muqatil. Conversely, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) noted that it is predominantly Medina except for its last eight verses.

Some scholars classify it among the Medina surahs, asserting it as one of the first Medina surahs revealed. Jabir ibn Zayd mentioned that it was revealed during the journey between Mecca and Medina, thus categorizing it as a Meccan surah, as the classification of surahs as Medina hinges on revelations after the Hijra according to Quranic scholars. Many scholars lean towards the view that the more favorable consensus is that it was revealed in the area between Mecca and Medina.

Second Opinion: Surah Al-Ankabut

Surah Al-Ankabut is the twenty-ninth surah in the order of the Quran and is classified as one of the Meccan surahs, with a claim that most of it is Meccan. There are assertions that it is Medina, while some believe portions of it are Meccan alongside others that are Medina. This surah is among the last ones revealed in Mecca, although parts were revealed in Medina, leading certain scholars to categorize it as Meccan while others classify it as Medina. Supporters of its Meccan classification cite that Surah Al-Rum was revealed prior to it and Surah Al-Mutaffifin followed, with both being Meccan surahs. Therefore, Surah Al-Ankabut is designated as Meccan. When it is stated that Surah Al-Mutaffifin is the last revelation in Mecca, it refers specifically to it being the last complete surah revealed there, even though parts of Surah Al-Ankabut were also revealed around the same period.

It is said that Surah Al-Ankabut was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his migration journey between Mecca and Medina, and there are claims that it is indeed the final surah revealed in Mecca. The attributes of the hypocrites mentioned within it are noted as prophetic information. Some argue that it is a Meccan surah, except for the first eleven verses and verse sixty of the surah.

Meccan Surahs

How to Identify Meccan Surahs

There are several methods to distinguish between Meccan and Medina surahs, as follows:

Meccan surahs are deemed to be those revealed in Mecca and its surrounding areas, including Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. It is said that a surah is classified as Meccan if it addresses the people of Mecca.
Narrations from the noble companions who lived during the revelation period and witnessed the descents, or from the followers who heard from the companions, known as auditory transmission. This classification is based on the preservation of the companions, as exemplified by the verse (O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you and for those who follow you among the believers), which was revealed when Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam in Mecca, thus marking it as Meccan.
Judicial analogies drawn from examining surahs and verses agreed upon in terms of their revelation locations, allowing scholars to determine characteristics unique to Meccan and Medina surahs and apply these to those whose origins are uncertain.
Meccan surahs were revealed before the Hijra, even if outside of Mecca, emphasizing the temporal aspect over the geographical one.

Characteristics and Features of Meccan Surahs

Meccan surahs possess various characteristics and features identified by scholars, including the following:

They focus on reinforcing Islamic doctrine, asserting the oneness of Allah in terms of divinity, lordship, and His names and attributes, while urging avoidance of polytheism.
They emphasize the Day of Judgment, reminding people of the resurrection, typically using the phrase “O people” in their addresses, as the majority of the audience were non-Muslims.
They lay down the foundations for worship and transactions in general and provide detailed accounts of the prophets, their missions, and the fates of their people in both this world and the afterlife, as well as mentioning previous nations.