The theme of this sūra is the sure approach of the hour of judgment, whether people pay attention to the warning signs or not. The sūra refers to stories of various peoples who turned away from the signs and denied the messengers sent to them. “Certainly We have destroyed your parties (before), yet (is there) anyone who takes heed?” (v. 51) seems to capture the sūra’s dark mood.

Even such a dramatic warning sign (āya) has no effect on some people. With them, the messenger can only wait until the day when all are summoned.