This sūra begins with a first-person-plural address to the messenger about the people who deny his message. Very quickly, however, the reader enters a series of stories about Moses, Abraham, Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu‘ayb.
The sūra shows a definite structure that is not often clear in other sūras. A refrain repeats between the stories, starting with the words, “Surely in that is a sign indeed” (e.g., vv. 8–9). Several of the stories about the prophets also repeat a substantial passage of preaching beginning with “Will you not guard (yourselves)?” (e.g., vv. 105–9). This suggests a concept that prophetic characters of the past not only shared the same mission but also preached the same words.
The long narrative about Moses at the beginning of the series is interesting especially for its extensive scene in Pharaoh’s court. The names Moses uses for God are noteworthy. This sūra seems to use the name Allah quite sparingly.
26.1–2 – Ṭā ’ Sīn Mīm. Those are the signs of the clear Book
On the disconnected Arabic letters that begin this sūra, see the comment at 2.1. The sūra opens with a claim that it is made up of verses or “signs” ( āyāt ) of a clarifying book.
Most of the sūras from 26 through 46 begin with various disconnected Arabic letters, and of these sūras, most also start with self-referential claims to be revealed.