Az-Zumar (, ; "The Troops, The Throngs") is the 39th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam. It contains 75 verses (ayat). This surah derives its name from the Arabic word zumar (troops) that occurs in verses 71 and 73. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is believed to have been revealed in the mid-Maccan period when persecutions of the Muslim believers by the polytheists had escalated. The surah expounds the signs of God's Oneness (tawhid) in the natural world and emphasizes the absurdity of associating partners with God. It also hints at emigration for the believers who were suffering great difficulties in worshiping God in their homeland. It also declares that there can be no reconciliation between believing in God's Oneness and association partners with God. The chapter also reminds readers of the other world, where Muslims believe people will see the outcome of their own deeds. Summary 1-2 The Quran a revelation from God to Muhammad 2-3 Muhammad to exhibit a pure religion to God 4-5 God will not show favour to idolaters 6 God Hath not chosen to have a son 7-8 God manifest in His works of creation and providence 9-10 God is Sovereign in His dealings with men 11 The ingratitude of idolaters 12 The righteous and wicked not equal before God 13 The righteous shall be rewarded 14-16 Muhammad, the first Muslim, must exhibit the pure religion of God 17-18 The loss of the idolaters 19 Idolaters who repent shall be rewarded 20 Muhammad cannot deliver the reprobate 21 The reward of the faithful 22 God revealed in the growth and decay of Nature 23 The Muslim and the infidel not equal 24 The Quran first frightens, then comforts, the Muslims 25 The punishment of the wicked in hell 26-27 Former infidels punished for maligning their prophets 28-30 Every kind of parable in the Quran 31-32 Muhammad and the infidels shall debate before the Lord 33-36 The reward and punishment of believers and unbelievers 37 The infidels of Makkah threaten Muhammad 37-38 True believers shall be rightly directed 39 Idolaters acknowledge God as creator 40-42 Muhammad yet to be vindicated 43 God shall raise the dead as he raiseth from sleep 44-45 None can intercede except by God’s permission 46 Idolaters dread God but joy in their false gods 47 God shall judge