It is not about the fig, but the human

Focusing on the chapter of at-tin ( the fig ), I believe the overwhelming majority of Muslims have memorized this surah since it contains only eight short versus. At the same time, many Imams tend to recite this surah when they lead the prayer.

Meanwhile, some Muslim might impress when Allah swears with the fig and the olive. As a result, they try to justify the reason scientifically why Allah chooses these fruits. Even I am not pessimistic for their efforts, but having said that, the real message of this surah is not merely about fig and olive but for the human being. In fact, this surah represents the crucial reminder for humans from their creator.

Even if we look to the fig and the olive, I believe the implicit message is not about the fruit's nutrients but it refers to the Levant (Syam), the land of figs and olives. Obviously, Syam has its own significance as the area where many prophets received the revelation from God such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, and Jesus. Then, it seems related when Allah continues his oath with the mount of Sinai, the place that prophet Moses received his book (Torah). Lastly, the secure city which is referred to mecca as the last revelation to prophet Muhammad SAW. Therefore, it could be understood that these words might be chosen as the sacred places that witness God revelation to his prophets.  

Palestine land

 As mentioned before, fig, olive, mount of Sinai and mecca are not the main subjects of this chapter, but by far the most important is what the subject of oath. Allah says:-

“We have certainly created man in the best of stature”

It is not difficult to accept this versus as all humans know that they are the best creation compared to others. The best creation could be their physical. In fact, the shape of the human body if we compared to other, it is unique and perfect. However the most obvious privilege is humans are bestowed with the intellectual ability. The small organ placed on the top of the body give this amazing ability to turn them to be the powerful creature. As a result, they can conquer the whole world, exploiting all of its resources for their interest. Thus, not surprisingly, Allah appoints them as his caliph on the earth.

Another interesting element in human creation is the emotion. This unseen element creates the desire in the human body. It could lead them to do the right things or bad. In fact, human follow their emotion than their intellect. The last element which is the most important is spiritual. This element functions as the guidance for them to find their creator and the truth.

Until this versus, it is good to hear, but what make us surprised is the next versus when Allah says:-

 “Then We return him to the lowest of the low”

After declaring human as the best creation, Allah said he will return them to the lowest of the low which the majority of scholars interpreted it as the hell. How it could be?

Meanwhile Allah does not mention why he wants to send humans as he consider to be his best creation to hell in this surah, but we can find the answer from another surah. And the clear versus is from surah Al-a’rof:-

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless. ( Al-‘arof : 179 )

Clearly, the main reason why Allah fulfills his hell with human is because they do not use what are given to them in the right way. Heart, ears and eyes that should be used to find the truth, but unlikely. Consequently, Allah returns them into the hell.

These reasons are confessed by the people of hell themselves.

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze." ( Al-Mulk : 10 )