in the name of allah, the beneficent, the merciful sura takwir (the folding up) no.81 (29 verses) contents of the sura: this sura is among the meccan suras and there is a variety of evidence to verify this fact. for instance, the sura denotes that the enemies of the prophet (p.b.u.h.) called him mad and this treatment used to happen in the early periods of his prophecy in mecca, when his enemies did not take his statements seriously and were quite careless about them. this sura can be divided into mainly two themes: the first theme is pointed out in the beginning verses of the sura; those which contain the signs about the hereafter and the occurrence of some great changes regarding the end of this world and the beginning of the next world; the resurrection. the second theme is in a mystical passage showing how the great qur'anic revelation was true, and was revealed through the angel gabriel, and which has a remarkable effect on man's soul for his spiritual guidance. this part is accompanied by some enlightening oaths; full of meaning. * * * * the virtue in studying sura takwir: there are many traditions narrated about the importance of this sura and studying it, such as a tradition from the prophet (p.b.u.h.) that says: "he who studies sura 'takwir' (the folding up) will be saved by allah from being exposed to shame when the book of deeds will be laid open." 1 another tradition from the prophet (p.b.u.h.) says: "he who wishes to look at me on the day of judgment, should study sura takwir (the folding up)". 2 the tradition has also been narrated in another form, which says: "he whose looking at the hereafter makes him glad (as if he sees it), studies sura `takwir'(the folding up), `infitar' (cleaving asunder), and `inshiqaq` (the rending asunder)." (since, in these suras, the signs of the hereafter are illustrated so clearly that the reciter of them feels that the scene of hereafter is in front of him). 3 it is narrated that the prophet (p.b.u.h) was asked why he had grown old so early and he answered : "hud, waqi'ah, mursalal and naba' made me old". (the reason is that the horrible events of the hereafter are so clearly illustrated in them that it makes every conscious person prematurely old). 4 it is also narrated from imam sadiq who said: "he who studies sura abasa and takwir will be with the mercy and grace of allah in the eternal heaven and this is easy for him when he wills." 5 the items mentioned in this narration vividly show that the goal, by recitation, is to produce knowledge, faith, and action in the reciter. 1 majma-al-bayan, vol.10, p.441. 2 ibid. 3 qartatbi, the commentary, vol. 10, p.7017. 4 nur-uth-thdqalayn. vol.5, p.513. 5 thawab-ul-amal. according to what is cited in the quotation of nur-uth-thaqalayn, vol.5, p.512.