The opening verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter are among the verses describing the Signs of the Hour (ashrāṭ al-sāʿah). Commentators have paid insufficient attention to the historical and contextual backgrounds of such verses; whereas the fear that God intends to instill in the initial audience through the signs of the Day of Judgment can only be taken seriously by them if it is grounded in a tangible context; otherwise, the inter-subjective connection, which is essential for effective warning, will not be established. This article, focusing on the opening verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter and conducting a comparative analysis with pre-Islamic historical accounts, proposes that the tangible warning of these verses is related to the Late Antique Little Ice Age. It concludes that the warning conveyed in the first and second verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter for the Quran’s early audience pertains to the imagery of the darkened sun and stars associated with the volcanic eruptions of 535–536 CE, 539–540 CE, and 547 CE. The third verse of this chapter points to the volcanic eruptions that triggered the climatic anomalies of the era. These eruptions caused atmospheric phenomena and cooling conditions referenced in the reports of Procopius, Cassiodorus, and Michael the Syrian. A comparative analysis of these historical reports with the opening verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter reveals that Arabs of that period had a mental familiarity with this phenomenon.
Introduction
The opening verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter fall under the category of verses describing the Signs of the Hour (ashrāṭ al-sāʿah). The primary aim of such verses is to depict the transformative events that will occur in the world before the Day of Judgment. Most commentators have tried to approach these verses from a theological perspective. However, alongside this theological lens, these phenomena can also be examined from a historical viewpoint—particularly since there are now historical accounts suggesting that events resembling the imagery presented in this chapter as a prelude to the Day of Judgment occurred in 535–536 CE, 539–540 CE, and 547 CE in the regions of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires and the Arabs of Hijaz, due to their connections with these areas, would likely have been aware of these events and their catastrophic consequences. These occurrences are now recognized by historians as part of the Late Antique Little Ice Age. According to research, this glacial period was caused by extensive volcanic activity, which led parts of the Northern Hemisphere to experience a dimmed sky accompanied by unprecedented cold. Historical accounts from Procopius, Cassiodorus, and Michael the Syrian provide descriptions of this period. The descriptions provided in these three sources regarding the atmospheric consequences of that era show a striking resemblance to the imagery in the first two verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter, specifically in relation to the darkened and dimmed appearance of the sun and the celestial bodies of the night. Thus, it appears that in the opening of the al-Takwīr Chapter, God references a historical and familiar event due to the mental association Arabs of the time had with it so that He could inform His audience about the terrifying nature of the occurrence of the Day of Judgment in a tangible and concrete manner.
Comparing Historical Reports with the First Verse of the al-Takwīr Chapter
The first verse of the al-Takwīr Chapter refers to the darkness and dimming of the sun. All three historians referenced in this study mention the dimming of the sun’s light as one of the events that people experienced during the era of the Little Ice Age. This event is mentioned alongside the freezing conditions of that time, just as described in the first verse of the al-Takwīr Chapter.
Procopius’s description of the sun’s dimness: “The sun gave forth its light without brightness ... it appeared like the state of an eclipse.”
Cassiodorus’s description of the sun’s dimness: “The rays of the sun were weak and appeared bluish ... the sky was cloudy and dim, preventing the true colors of the sun and moon, as well as the sun’s warmth, from being perceived.”
Michael the Syrian’s description of the sun’s dimness: “The sun became dark, and this eclipse lasted a year and a half—eighteen months. Each day it shone for about four hours, but its light was faint ... during these years, the sun did not return to its original brightness.”
Comparing Historical Accounts with the Second Verse of the al-Takwīr Chapter
The second verse of the al-Takwīr Chapter mentions the dimming of the celestial bodies of the night. Among the three historians referenced, only Cassiodorus explicitly mentions the dimming of the night sky as a result of the glacial conditions of that period.
Conclusion
A comparative analysis of the opening verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter with historical accounts of the Late Antique Little Ice Age suggests that the Arabs of the Prophet’s era were likely familiar with this historical event. Therefore, the descriptions in this chapter regarding the dimming of the sun and the celestial bodies of the night must be considered entirely relatable to the people of that time. The Quran’s reference to the occurrence of these events, having a known historical precedent for its primary audience, could have been perceived as profoundly serious and fear-inducing. Undoubtedly, the impact of the verses concerning the Day of Judgment and its signs on that audience was rooted in recalling such tangible fears, which the Quran employed to lay the foundation for shaping behavior and fostering obedience among its early listeners.
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* Received 31 May 2024; Received in revised from 5 September 2024; Accepted 11 September 2024; Published online 20 November 2024
Cite this article: Shojaei, H. (2024). A Comparative Analysis of Historical Accounts of the Little Ice Age with the Opening Verses of the al-Takwīr Chapter. Comparative Interpretation Research, 10(2), 115‑136. https://doi.org/10.22091/ptt.2024.11071.2355
Publisher: University of Qom                                                               © The Author(s)