Background of Surah At-Tur:
Surah At-Tur is a Makkan surah and is one of the mufassal surahs so it was recited frequently by the prophet puh. The prophet pbuh used to recite this surah often during Maghrib salah. There is also a narration that the prophet pbuh recited this surah near the Kabbah.
VERSE 1
By the mount
Right at the beginning of the surah an oath is being taken. In this surah Allah swt takes an oath by 5 things and they are all mentioned in sequence right at the beginning of the surah. The first thing in which Allah takes an oath by is by Mount Tur.
When Allah takes an oath, it is to highlight the object in which oath taken by and also to show importance to what is mentioned after the oath is taken. It is NOT to prove that Allah's words are trustworthy and truthful. When we take an oath, it is to prove our truthfulness but that is not the case with Allah. Allah's words are 100% truthful and does not need to take an oath to prove it.
Mount Tur is the mountain in which Allah spoke to Musa (as) and gave him the Torah.
VERSE 2
And [by] a Book inscribed
The next thing in which Allah takes an oath by is an inscribed book. This book refers to the preserved tablet (Lahw-i Mahfooz) in which everything is recorded; everything that has already happened and all that will happen is all recorded in this book.
VERSE 3
In parchment spread open
This writing is in parchments that is spread open.
VERSE 4
And [by] the frequented House
The next thing in which oath taken by is the house that's always populated. This house refers to the house that's in the sky (Bait-ul-Ma'mur) where a group of 70,000 angels pray and when they leave, they will never get a chance to visit it again and then another batch of 70,000 angels come in and this goes on like this. Similarly is the kaaba for us; just like we do tawaf around the kaaba, the angels worship Allah at the Bait-ul- Ma'mur.
VERSE 5
And [by] the roof raised high
The next thing in which oath taken by is the roof/ceiling that's raised and this refers to the sky. The arabic word used is "raised" and this is to show us that the sky was constructed. Allah swt constructed and raised the sky above us and how strong and massive it is.
VERSE 6
And [by] the sea filled [with fire],
The last thing in which Allah swt takes an oath by is the sea that's filled with fire. This refers to what will happen on the day of judgement. All the seas will be turned to fire. I also refers to the abundance of water we have on earth and the volume of the seas.
VERSE 7
Indeed, the punishment of your Lord will occur.
Indeed punishment will happen because Allah swt said it will.
VERSE 8
Of it there is no preventer.
No one can repel the punishment when it comes
VERSE 9
On the Day the heaven will sway with circular motion
The same sky that's perfectly balanced as we see know it today will sway on the day of judgement and fall apart.
