This Surah is called Al-An’aam (The Cattle) because of two verses in it which mention the An’aam (Cattle). They are verses 136 and 138.

This Surah is a Meccan Surah. We have mentioned before that the Holy Quran has two ways of arrangement: The arrangement according to revelation and the arrangement of the Mushaf.

The arrangement of the Mushaf is what we see today in the copies of the Quran, starting from Surah Al-Fatihah to Surah An-Nas. This is according to the arrangement that the angel Gabriel (PBUH) had informed the Prophet (saws) of. No one can play around with this arrangement or change any part of it.

However, the arrangement according to the revelation is different from the arrangement in the Mushaf.  This type of arrangement is based on the sequence of events. There is a Meccan period and a Medinan period. The Meccan period was the one where faith was established; faith in Allah (swt), faith in Resurrection and Recompense, faith in the Prophets and Messengers and other matters connected to faith. So, the Meccan Surahs contain these themes.

Surah Al-An’aam is a Meccan Surah by consensus, except for a few verses which were revealed in Medina. However, the Angel Gabriel (BPUH) had informed the Prophet (saws) that these verses are to be in Surah Al-An’aam, according to the arrangement of the Mushaf that Allah (swt) had willed. For the Noble Quran is the Word of Allah, which is miraculous in its structure, phrasing, style, letters, reasons for revelation, syntax and everything in it.

This Surah has a great distinction, for it has been narrated that it was revealed all at once upon the Prophet (saws), as narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (saws) said:

“Surah Al-An’aam was revealed to me all at once, escorted by seventy thousand angels raising their voices in glorification and praise.”