Sūrah Ash-Shuʿarāʾ

āyāt 4–9

Allah states that if He wanted, He could send a sign from the sky that would force people to submit. However, whenever a new revelation comes to them from the Most Merciful, they consistently reject it. They have already denied the truth, but they will soon see the consequences of what they mocked. Allah then asks if they have not observed the earth and how many beautiful things He has grown there. This indeed contains a clear sign, yet most people will not believe, and your Lord is truly the All-Mighty, the All-Merciful.

āyāt 10–15

This section begins by recounting when your Lord called Mūsā عليه السلام, instructing him to go to the wrongdoing people—specifically, the people of Firʿawn—and asking if they would not fear Allāh. Mūsā عليه السلام responded, expressing his fear that they would reject him, that his heart would feel constrained, and that his tongue would not be fluent, so he requested that Harūn عليه السلام also be sent. He also mentioned that they had a charge of a past sin against him, making him fear they would kill him. Allāh then reassured him, saying 'No,' and commanded both Mūsā عليه السلام and Harūn عليه السلام to go with His signs, affirming that He would be with them, listening.

āyāt 16–21

Mūsā عليه السلام is commanded to go to Firʿawn and declare that he and Harūn عليه السلام are messengers from the Lord of all worlds, and that Firʿawn should let the Children of Israel go with them. Firʿawn replies by reminding Mūsā عليه السلام that he was raised in his palace as a child and lived there for many years. He then accuses Mūsā عليه السلام of committing a particular deed and being ungrateful. Mūsā عليه السلام responds by admitting he committed the act when he was misguided, and that he fled out of fear of Firʿawn; but since then, Allah granted him wisdom and appointed him as one of His messengers.

āyāt 22–27

Firʿawn continued by asking Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام if his enslavement of the Children of Israel was the favor Mūsā was reminding him of. Firʿawn then asked Mūsā, "What is the Lord of the worlds?" Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام replied that He is the Lord of the heavens and earth and everything in between, if Firʿawn would only be convinced. Firʿawn then turned to those around him, questioning if they heard what Mūsā said. Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام further clarified that Allah is their Lord and the Lord of their earliest ancestors, to which Firʿawn declared that the messenger sent to them was mad.

āyāt 28–33

Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام declared that God is the Lord of the East and the West, and everything in between, if only Firʿawn would reflect. Firʿawn responded with a threat, saying that if Mūsā took any god other than him, he would surely be imprisoned. Mūsā then asked if Firʿawn would still threaten him even if he brought a clear sign. Firʿawn challenged him to bring it, if he was truthful, so Mūsā threw his staff, and it instantly turned into a clear serpent. Then, Mūsā drew out his hand, and it became bright white for everyone watching.

āyāt 34–39

Firʿawn then declared to his advisors that Mūsā عليه السلام was a skilled sorcerer, whose intention was to expel them from their land using his magic, and he asked for their counsel. They advised him to delay dealing with Mūsā عليه السلام and his brother, and instead send officials to gather all the expert sorcerers from the cities. Thus, the sorcerers were assembled for a specific, known day, and the people were also called to gather for the event.

āyāt 40–45

The people asked Firʿawn if they should follow the magicians if they proved to be the winners. When the magicians arrived, they asked Firʿawn if they would be rewarded for their victory, to which Firʿawn promised them a reward and a place among his closest companions. Then, Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام told the magicians to cast whatever they intended to cast. So they threw their ropes and staffs, declaring their victory by Firʿawn's might, but then Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام cast his staff, and it immediately swallowed everything they had conjured up.

āyāt 46–51

The magicians fell down in prostration, declaring their belief in the Lord of all creation, the God of Mūsā عليه السلام and Hārūn عليه السلام. Firʿawn angrily accused them of believing before he gave them permission, claiming that Mūsā عليه السلام was their leader who taught them magic. He threatened to cut off their hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify them all. The magicians responded that this harm was insignificant, for they would return to their Lord and hoped He would forgive their sins because they were the first to believe.

āyāt 52–57

Allāh instructed Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام to depart at night with His servants, informing him that they would certainly be pursued. Firʿawn then dispatched messengers throughout the cities, claiming that the departing group was small, angered them, and that Firʿawn's people were a mighty multitude. As a consequence of their arrogance, Allāh removed Firʿawn and his people from their gardens and springs.

āyāt 58–63

All the treasures and honorable positions of Firʿawn and his people were taken from them. God caused the Children of Israel to inherit these things. Firʿawn's army pursued the Children of Israel at sunrise. When the two groups saw each other, Mūsā's عليه السلام companions cried out that they were surely about to be overtaken. Mūsā عليه السلام replied, "No! My Lord is with me, and He will guide me." Then God inspired Mūsā عليه السلام to strike the sea with his staff. The sea then parted, and each side of the water stood like a great, towering mountain.

āyāt 64–68

Here, it describes how the pursuers of Mūsā عليه السلام and his people were brought forward. Then, Allāh saved Mūsā عليه السلام and everyone with him. After that, Allāh drowned all the pursuers. These events are indeed a clear sign, yet most people would not come to believe. And truly, your Lord is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

āyāt 69–74

The Prophet ﷺ is told to tell the story of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام to his people. Ibrāhīm عليه السلام asked his father and community what they were worshipping. They replied that they worshipped idols and were devoted to them. Ibrāhīm عليه السلام then asked them if these idols could hear their prayers, or if they could benefit or harm them. They responded that they simply found their forefathers doing the same thing.

āyāt 75–80

Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام asked his people if they considered what they worshipped, including what their ancient ancestors worshipped. He declared that these idols were his enemies, but not the Lord of all creation. He clarified that the Lord is the one who created him and guides him, who feeds him and gives him drink, and who cures him when he falls ill.

āyāt 81–86

Ibrāhīm عليه السلام then spoke of the One who will cause him to die and bring him back to life, and the One he hopes will forgive his sins on the Day of Judgement. He asked his Lord to grant him wisdom, join him with the righteous, and give him an honorable mention among future generations. He also prayed to be among the inheritors of the Garden of Pleasure and asked for his father's forgiveness, acknowledging that his father had been misguided.

āyāt 87–92

This passage describes the Day of Resurrection, when no one will benefit from their wealth or children. Only those who come before Allāh with a sound heart will find benefit. On that Day, Paradise will be brought near for the righteous, and the Hellfire will be made visible for those who went astray, who will then be asked where are the deities they used to worship.

āyāt 93–98

The āyāt describe the fate of those who worshipped other than Allāh: they will be thrown headlong into Hellfire, along with those who led them astray and all the soldiers of Iblīs. Inside Hell, they will argue, saying that they were clearly mistaken when they equated their idols with the Lord of the worlds.

āyāt 99–104

The misguided will declare that only the criminals led them astray, and now they find themselves without anyone to intercede on their behalf, nor any devoted friend. They will wish for a return to the world so they could be among the believers. Indeed, in this is a great sign, but most people will not believe, for your Lord is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

āyāt 105–110

This passage tells us that the people of Nūḥ عليه السلام rejected the messengers. Their brother, Nūḥ عليه السلام, asked them if they would not fear God, telling them that he was a trustworthy messenger to them. He then instructed them to fear God and obey him, clarifying that he sought no payment from them, as his reward was only from the Lord of all creation. Nūḥ عليه السلام reiterated his call for them to fear God and obey him.

āyāt 111–116

The people asked Prophet Nūḥ عليه السلام if they should believe him when only the lowest class followed him. He replied that he did not know what they did before, and their accountability was with his Lord, if only they understood. He also stated that he would not drive away the believers, as his only role was to be a clear warner. They then threatened him, saying that if he did not stop, he would be among those who are stoned.

āyāt 117–122

Nūḥ عليه السلام called out to his Lord, explaining that his people had rejected him. He asked his Lord to judge between him and them decisively, and to save him and the believers who were with him. So, Allah saved Nūḥ عليه السلام and those with him in the laden ship, and then drowned all the others afterwards. Truly, in this event there is a profound lesson, yet most of them would not come to believe, and indeed, your Lord is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

āyāt 123–128

The people of ʿĀd denied the messengers of Allāh. Their brother, Prophet Hūd عليه السلام, asked them if they would not fear Allāh, telling them that he was a trustworthy messenger to them. He instructed them to fear Allāh and obey him, clarifying that he sought no payment for this, as his reward was only from the Lord of the worlds. Then he asked them why they built monuments on every high place, merely for amusement.

āyāt 129–134

The prophet Hūd عليه السلام asked his people if they built grand structures hoping to live forever. He questioned their tyranny when they used force. He then called on them to fear Allāh and obey him, reminding them to fear the One who provided them with all they knew. He specified these provisions included grazing livestock, children, gardens, and springs.

āyāt 135–140

The prophet Nūḥ عليه السلام warned his people that he feared for them a terrible punishment. They replied that it made no difference if he advised them or not, claiming that what he spoke of was merely the custom of ancient peoples and that they would never be punished. Because they denied him, God destroyed them, and this event holds a sign for humanity, though most people will still not believe. Your Lord is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

āyāt 141–146

The people of Thamūd rejected the messengers. Their brother, Prophet Ṣāliḥ عليه السلام, asked them if they would not fear Allāh, reminding them that he was a trustworthy messenger to them. He urged them to fear Allāh and obey him, clarifying that he sought no payment for his message, as his reward was solely from the Lord of all creation. He then questioned whether they believed they would be left secure forever in their current state.

āyāt 147–152

The āyāt describe a people living amidst beautiful gardens and springs, with abundant crops and date palms bearing soft fruit. They are also skilled in carving out homes from the mountains. They are then commanded to be mindful of Allāh and obey the prophet speaking to them, and not to follow the commands of those who exceed limits, as such individuals spread corruption in the land and do not bring about good.

āyāt 153–158

The people told Prophet Ṣāliḥ عليه السلام that he was bewitched and that he was just a human like them. They challenged him to bring a clear sign if he was truly a prophet. He then presented them with a she-camel, explaining that the water would be shared: one day for her to drink, and another day for them. He warned them not to harm the she-camel, or a terrible punishment would befall them. However, they disregarded his warning and cruelly wounded the animal, which led them to regret their action. Consequently, a punishment seized them. This event is indeed a sign, though most of them ultimately did not believe.

āyāt 159–164

This section begins by reminding us that your Lord is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. Then, it relates how the people of Lūṭ عليه السلام rejected the messengers. Their brother, Lūṭ عليه السلام, asked them if they would not fear God, declaring himself a trustworthy messenger to them. He urged them to fear God and obey him, clarifying that he sought no payment from them for his efforts, as his reward was only from the Lord of all creation.

āyāt 165–170

The people of Lūṭ عليه السلام were asked if they would continue to approach males and abandon the spouses Allah had created for them, calling them a people who exceeded all limits. They threatened Lūṭ عليه السلام that if he did not stop speaking to them, he would surely be expelled. Lūṭ عليه السلام responded that he truly detested their actions and prayed to his Lord to save him and his family from what they were doing. In response, Allah saved him and his entire family.

āyāt 171–176

Except for an old woman who was left behind, God then destroyed all the others. He sent down a rain upon them, and that rain was terrible for those who had been warned. This is truly a sign, but most of them would not believe. Indeed, your Lord is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. The people of the thicket also denied the messengers.

āyāt 177–182

Prophet Shuʿayb عليه السلام asked his people if they would not fear God. He told them he was a trustworthy messenger to them, so they should fear God and obey him. He also made it clear that he sought no payment for his message, as his reward was only from the Lord of all creation. He instructed them to give full measure and not cause loss, and to weigh with an honest balance.

āyāt 183–188

These verses warn against cheating people of their rights and spreading corruption on earth. They command people to be mindful of God, who created them and all previous generations. The people responded to their prophet, saying he was merely enchanted, a man just like them whom they believed to be a liar. They challenged him to bring down fragments of the sky upon them if he was truthful. The prophet replied that his Lord knows best what they are doing.

āyāt 189–191

The people denied their prophet, and a punishment came upon them on the Day of the Black Cloud, which was indeed a terrible day. There is certainly a sign in this event, yet most of them would not come to believe. Indeed, your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

āyāt 192–197

This is a revelation from the Lord of all creation. The trustworthy Spirit, Jibreel عليه السلام, brought it down to the heart of the Prophet ﷺ so that he could be one of those who warn people, and this revelation is in a clear Arabic language. Furthermore, this message is also mentioned in the scriptures of earlier nations, and a sufficient sign for people should be that the learned scholars among the Children of Israel recognize it.

āyāt 198–203

This passage continues by stating that even if God had revealed this message to a non-Arab and he had recited it perfectly, these disbelievers still would not have believed in it. In this way, God has placed disbelief into the hearts of the criminals. They will not believe until they see the painful punishment, which will come upon them suddenly when they least expect it. At that moment, they will cry out, asking if they can be given a respite.

āyāt 204–209

Are these people impatient for God's punishment to come quickly? Consider this: if God allowed them to enjoy life for many years, and then the punishment they were promised finally arrived, all that enjoyment would not help them in the slightest. God never destroyed a town without first sending warners to remind them of the truth, and God is never unjust.

āyāt 210–215

This revelation was not brought down by devils; it is not permissible for them, nor are they capable of it, for they are kept far from hearing it. Therefore, do not call upon any other deity alongside Allāh, or you will be among those punished. Instead, warn your closest relatives, and be gentle and kind to the believers who follow you.

āyāt 216–221

If people disobey the Prophet ﷺ, he is instructed to declare that he disavows their actions. He should rely on God, who is Almighty and Merciful. God sees the Prophet ﷺ when he rises and when he moves among those who pray. Indeed, God is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Then, the āyāt ask if they should be informed about upon whom the devils descend.

āyāt 222–223

These verses describe how devils descend upon every sinful liar. They pass on what they overhear, but most of them are themselves liars.

āyāt 225–226

These verses ask if you have not observed how these poets wander aimlessly through every valley, and how they say things they themselves do not practice.