Sūrah Al-Ḥijr

āyāt 1–6

These are the verses of the Book, which is a clear recitation. There may come a time when those who deny the truth will wish they had submitted to God. Let them indulge and be deceived by their hopes, for they will soon come to know the truth. God did not destroy any community except when its appointed time had arrived. No community can hasten its end, nor can it delay it once the time is due. Yet, these people say, 'O you to whom the message has been sent down, you are surely mad.'

āyāt 7–8

The disbelievers challenge, asking why angels are not brought to them if what the Prophet ﷺ says is true. In response, God explains that angels are only sent down with a true purpose, and when they are sent in such a way, there would be no further delay or reprieve for those who disbelieve.

āyāt 10–15

This section reminds the Prophet ﷺ that messengers were sent to communities before his time, just as he has been sent to his people. However, whenever a messenger came to those earlier communities, they consistently mocked him. This same pattern of denial is placed by God into the hearts of those who commit wrongdoing, ensuring they will not believe, following the example of those who came before them. Even if God were to open a gate in the sky for them and they were to ascend through it, they would still claim that their eyes were simply dazed, and that they were a people under a spell.

āyāt 16–21

This passage describes that God placed constellations in the heavens, making them beautiful for observers, and protected them from every outcast devil, except for those who try to eavesdrop and are then pursued by a bright burning flame. It then states that God spread out the earth, placed firm mountains upon it, and caused every balanced thing to grow there, providing sustenance for people and for those they do not provide for. It concludes by revealing that everything has its source with God, and He sends it down only according to a known measure.

āyāt 22–25

This passage tells us that God sends the fertilizing winds and rain from the sky, providing us with water to drink, and we are not the ones who control or store it. It is God who gives life and causes death, and He is the ultimate Inheritor of all things. God knows all generations, those who have come before and those who will come after, and your Lord will surely gather them all together, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing.

āyāt 26–31

This passage describes that humanity was created from clay, specifically from altered black mud, while the jinn were created earlier from scorching fire. It then recounts when your Lord announced to the angels His intention to create a human being from this clay, and that once He had perfected him and breathed His spirit into him, the angels were to prostrate to him. All the angels prostrated, except for Iblīs, who refused to join those who bowed down.

āyāt 32–37

Allāh asked Iblīs why he did not prostrate along with everyone else. Iblīs replied that he would never prostrate to a human being created from clay and dark, altered mud. Allāh then commanded him to leave, declaring him expelled and cursed until the Day of Judgement. Iblīs then requested Allāh to grant him a reprieve until the Day of Resurrection, and Allāh informed him that he would indeed be among those given a reprieve.

āyāt 38

This particular āyah speaks about a specific, known period of time, indicating that something will continue or last until that appointed day.

āyāt 40–41

Iblīs then clarified that he has no power over God's sincerely devoted servants. God then declared that this is indeed a straight path leading back to Him.

āyāt 43–44

These verses warn that Hell is the destined place for all those who follow Satan. It is described as having seven gates, with each gate designated for a specific group of his followers.

āyāt 45–50

The āyāt describe that those who are righteous will reside in gardens and by springs, welcomed to enter in peace and security. Allah will remove any resentment from their hearts, making them brothers seated on thrones facing each other, where they will experience no fatigue and will never be removed. The Prophet ﷺ is instructed to inform Allah's servants that He is indeed the Forgiving and the Merciful, but also that His punishment is the painful punishment.

āyāt 51–56

This passage instructs us to consider Prophet Abraham's عليه السلام guests. When these guests arrived and greeted him, Abraham عليه السلام expressed his apprehension. The guests, who were angels, reassured him and gave him the glad tidings of a knowledgeable son. Abraham عليه السلام wondered how this could be, given his old age, but the angels confirmed their true message and told him not to despair. Abraham عليه السلام then affirmed that only those who have gone astray despair of their Lord's mercy.

āyāt 57–62

Prophet Abraham عليه السلام then asked the messengers what their mission was. They replied that they had been sent to a people who were criminals, but they would save the family of Prophet Lot عليه السلام, all except his wife. Allāh had already decreed that she would be among those left behind. When these messengers arrived at Prophet Lot's عليه السلام home, he told them he did not know them.

āyāt 63–68

The angels tell Prophet Lot عليه السلام they have come with the truth regarding the matter that people were disputing, and indeed they are truthful. They instruct him to depart with his family during a portion of the night, following behind them, and to ensure no one looks back as they proceed to the commanded destination. Allah conveyed to Prophet Lot عليه السلام the decree that the wicked people would be destroyed by early morning. Subsequently, the people of the city arrived rejoicing, and Prophet Lot عليه السلام pleaded with them not to shame him, for these were his guests.

āyāt 69–74

Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام told his people to fear Allāh and not disgrace him. His people responded by asking if they had not forbidden him from protecting people. Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام then offered them his daughters for lawful marriage, if that is what they desired. Allāh declares that, by the life of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, Prophet Lūṭ's people were lost in their intoxication, wandering aimlessly. As a result, a shriek seized them at sunrise, and Allāh turned their city upside down and rained stones of hard clay upon them.

āyāt 75–80

These places hold clear lessons for those who are perceptive. Furthermore, they are located on a well-known road. There is certainly a sign in this for those who believe. The people of Madyan, who lived among the thickets, were also wrongdoers, so God brought retribution upon them, and indeed, both their settlements are visible from a clear highway. The people of al-Ḥijr, for their part, denied the messengers who came to them.

āyāt 81–84

The āyāt describe how a previous people were given clear signs from Allah, but they turned away from them. These people used to carve secure houses out of mountains. However, a sudden, terrifying shriek seized them in the early morning, and all the wealth and strength they had accumulated could not help them then.

āyāt 85–86

This passage tells us that God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in between for a true and purposeful reason. It also assures us that the Day of Judgement will certainly come, and because of this, we should be forgiving in a kind and gentle way. Indeed, your Lord is the All-Knowing Creator of everything.

āyāt 87

Allah informs the Prophet ﷺ that He has bestowed upon him seven oft-repeated verses, alongside the magnificent Qur'ān.

āyāt 89–94

God commands the Prophet ﷺ to declare that he is a clear warner. This warning is like what was revealed to those who divided earlier scriptures, turning them into arbitrary portions. God then swears that He will question all of them about their deeds, so the Prophet ﷺ is instructed to openly proclaim what he has been commanded and to turn away from those who associate partners with God.

āyāt 96–97

This passage speaks of those who associate other deities with Allāh, warning that they will soon come to know the truth of their error. Allāh assures the Prophet ﷺ that He is aware of the distress he feels due to the hurtful things people say.