Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 1

The virtue of Surah Al-Imran has already been mentioned along with the virtue of Surah Al-Baqarah. There is consensus among the commentators that this surah is Madinan, and the evidence for this is that its first 83 verses were revealed regarding the delegation of Najran, which came to the service of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in 9 AH. (Fath al-Qadeer) However, according to the research of Ibn Ashur, this delegation came around 3 AH, because it is agreed that this surah is among the early Madinan surahs. In terms of revelation, its number among all surahs is 48th. The mistake of those who claim it was revealed in 9 AH is due to the fact that delegations came that year, whereas the delegation of Najran had come earlier. [التحریر والتنویر] This delegation consisted of sixty horsemen, among whom fourteen were their distinguished individuals. Three men were prominent among them. Their leader was Aqib, whose name was Abdul Masih. The second was "Sayyid," whose name was Al-Ayham; he was their advisor and very wise. The third was Abu Harithah bin Alqamah Al-Kubra, who was their chief priest. Among other matters, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also debated with them about the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him). He said: "The Messiah will perish, and Allah alone is 'Al-Hayy'—the Ever-Living and will remain forever." He presented this and other arguments, upon which they fell silent, and then this surah was revealed. For further details, see the verse of Mubahalah "61." (Ma'alim, Ibn Kathir)

(Ayah 1){ الٓمَّۤ۔} The explanation of the disjointed letters has already been mentioned at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah.