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Surah 51 · Makkah · 60 āyāt

Phase 04 · Ṭāʾif, al-Isrāʾ and the final Makkan years(c. 5–1 BH) — view in timeline

Adh-DhāriyātThe Scattering Winds

الذاريات

A middle Makkan surah that opens with a chain of solemn oaths — by the scattering winds, the heavy-laden clouds, the smoothly running ships, and the angels who distribute affairs by command — all sworn to a single point: that the promise of resurrection and judgement is true. It then moves through the story of Ibrāhīm's angelic guests, the destruction of the peoples of Lūṭ, Fir'awn, ʿĀd, Thamūd and Nūḥ as a chain of confirmed warnings, and closes with two of the most quoted verses in the Qurʾān: that jinn and mankind were not created except to worship Allāh, and that provision and power belong to Allāh alone, the Possessor of Might, the Firm.

Why it was revealed

Quraysh's denial of the resurrection had hardened into open mockery — demanding to know when the Day would come as if daring Allah to bring it. The surah answers not with argument alone but with a cascade of oaths drawn from wind, cloud, ship and angel, then with the accumulated testimony of every destroyed nation, ending on the reminder that mankind's very purpose is worship, and that Allah, not their idols or their own effort, is the sole source of provision.

Drawn fromIbn Kathīr on 51:1–6; Ibn Kathīr on 51:24–30; Ibn Kathīr on 51:38–46; Ibn Kathīr on 51:56–58; Ibn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat adh-Dhāriyāt and tafsīr of 51:1–4, 24–34

Ibn ʿAbbās is reported to have explained the wind's role in the surah's opening oaths as referring to the winds that scatter dust and disperse rain-bearing clouds, and reports concerning the guests of Ibrāhīm in this surah are the same narrated more fully in Sūrat Hūd and Sūrat al-Ḥijr, describing the angels who came to him with glad tidings before Lūṭ's people were destroyed.

Cited toIbn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat adh-Dhāriyāt and tafsīr of 51:1–4, 24–34

In the Prophet's ﷺ life

RevelationMid-Makkan period · Age About 46–48 · Makkah

Oaths sworn on the certainty of the Judgement

The surah opens with four oaths from creation — winds, clouds, ships, angels — all converging on the truth of the promise of reckoning and its division into truth and falsehood.

Recalled in āyah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

وَٱلذَّٰرِيَـٰتِ ذَرْوًا

By those [winds] scattering [dust and rain] widely,

فَٱلْحَـٰمِلَـٰتِ وِقْرًا

And those [clouds] carrying a load [of water],

فَٱلْجَـٰرِيَـٰتِ يُسْرًا

And those [ships] sailing with ease,

فَٱلْمُقَسِّمَـٰتِ أَمْرًا

And those [angels] apportioning by command,

إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌ

Indeed, what you are promised is true.

وَإِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ لَوَاقِعٌ

And indeed, the recompense is to occur.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:1–6

  • Madd — 2 vowels
  • Madd — 2, 4 or 6 vowels
  • Madd — 6 vowels (lāzim)
  • Madd — 4 or 5 vowels (wājib)
  • Ghunnah — 2 vowels
  • Qalqalah
  • Ikhfāʾ
  • Ikhfāʾ shafawī
  • Idghām shafawī
  • Idghām with ghunnah
  • Idghām without ghunnah
  • Idghām mutajānisayn
  • Idghām mutaqāribayn
  • Iqlāb
  • Hamzat al-waṣl
  • Lām shamsiyyah
  • Silent letter

Tajwīd markup and colour convention: Quran.com API (v4) — text_uthmani_tajweed. Recitation audio: Quran.com / Quran Foundation Audio API (v4).

THEME 01Āyāt 1–6

Four oaths on the truth of the promise

By the scattering winds, the clouds heavy with rain, the ships that glide with ease, and the angels who distribute affairs by Allah's command — indeed, what you are promised is true, and indeed the recompense is coming.

Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 51:5–6; Ibn Kathīr on 51:1–4

1

وَٱلذَّٰرِيَـٰتِ ذَرْوًا

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By those [winds] scattering [dust and rain] widely,

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2

فَٱلْحَـٰمِلَـٰتِ وِقْرًا

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And those [clouds] carrying a load [of water],

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3

فَٱلْجَـٰرِيَـٰتِ يُسْرًا

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And those [ships] sailing with ease,

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4

فَٱلْمُقَسِّمَـٰتِ أَمْرًا

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And those [angels] apportioning by command,

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5

إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌ

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Indeed, what you are promised is true.

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6

وَإِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ لَوَاقِعٌ

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And indeed, the recompense is to occur.

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From the tafsīr

Each oath is drawn from a visible, undeniable process in nature or angelic administration, so that the truth being sworn to — resurrection and judgement — is anchored to realities the disbelievers themselves witness daily.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:1–4

The conclusion 'indeed what you are promised is true' follows the oaths as their necessary result: an oath in the Qurʾān is always matched to a truth proportionate to its solemnity.

Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 51:5–6

Key takeaways

Reflect

What everyday process in your life could you treat as a sign pointing to a bigger truth, the way these oaths do?

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Question 1 of 2

What do the four opening oaths in 51:1–4 have in common, according to Ibn Kathīr?

Question 2 of 2

What immediately follows the four oaths in the surah?

THEME 02Āyāt 19–23

Your provision is in the heaven

In their wealth was a due for the one who asked and the deprived; and on earth are signs for those of certainty, and in yourselves — do you not see? And in the heaven is your provision and what you are promised. By the Lord of the heaven and earth, it is truth, as certain as your own speech to one another.

Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 51:23; Ibn Kathīr on 51:22

19

وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ

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And in their wealth is a right for the one who asks and the deprived.

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20

وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ءَايَـٰتٌ لِّلْمُوقِنِينَ

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And on the earth are signs for those of certain faith,

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21

وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

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And in yourselves. Then will you not see?

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22

وَفِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ

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And in the heaven is your provision and what you are promised.

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23

فَوَرَبِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُۥ لَحَقٌّ مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنَّكُمْ تَنطِقُونَ

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Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed it is truth, just as certain as your own speech.

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From the tafsīr

'Your provision is in the heaven' is explained as referring to rain, which descends from the sky and is the source of all sustenance on earth, tying material provision directly to Allah's decree rather than human effort alone.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:22

The comparison of the truth of resurrection to the certainty of one's own speech is read as the strongest possible register of confirmation available in human experience.

Cited toAl-Qurṭubī on 51:23

Key takeaways

Reflect

Do you treat your own wealth as containing a 'due' owed to others, or purely as your own?

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Question 1 of 1

What does Ibn Kathīr say 'your provision is in the heaven' (51:22) primarily refers to?

THEME 03Āyāt 24–37

Ibrāhīm's guests: glad tidings before destruction

Honoured guests came to Ibrāhīm; he hurried to serve them a fattened calf, and when they did not eat he felt fear, but they reassured him and gave him glad tidings of a knowledgeable son. His wife laughed in astonishment at bearing a child in her old age, and the guests then revealed their true mission: to send down torment upon a criminal people — the people of Lūṭ — from whom only a house of Muslims was rescued, save one who lagged behind.

Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 51:35–36; Ibn Kathīr on 51:26–28

24

هَل أَتَـٰكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلْمُكْرَمِينَ

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Has there reached you the story of the honoured guests of Ibrāhīm?

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27

فَقَرَّبَهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ

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And he brought it near to them, saying, 'Will you not eat?'

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28

فَأَوْجَسَ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ خِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ

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So he felt apprehension within himself; they said, 'Do not fear.'

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29

فَأَقْبَلَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ فِى صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا

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And his wife came forward, cried out, and struck her face,

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36

فَمَا وَجَدْنَا فِيهَا غَيْرَ بَيْتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

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But We found not within it other than a single house of Muslims.

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From the tafsīr

Ibrāhīm's fear when his guests did not eat is explained by the Arab custom of associating refusal of food with hostile intent; the angels' reply and glad tidings immediately dispelled it.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:26–28

That only a 'house of Muslims' — a single household — was found in the town of Lūṭ's people, and even within it one member was left behind, shows how narrow true faith had become before the destruction fell.

Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 51:35–36

Key takeaways

Reflect

How do you respond when someone unfamiliar or unexpected enters your life — with suspicion or hospitality?

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Question 1 of 2

Why did Ibrāhīm feel fear when his guests did not eat, per Ibn Kathīr?

Question 2 of 2

What does al-Saʿdī note about the 'house of Muslims' rescued from Lūṭ's town?

THEME 04Āyāt 38–46

Fir'awn, ʿĀd, Thamūd and the people of Nūḥ

In Mūsā's story too there is a sign, when he was sent to Fir'awn with clear authority; Fir'awn turned away in his might and was seized and cast into the sea. ʿĀd was destroyed by a barren wind leaving nothing but bones like decayed trunks. Thamūd was given respite yet defied the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them as they looked on. And the people of Nūḥ before them — they were a wrongdoing people.

Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 51:44; Ibn Kathīr on 51:41–42

41

وَفِى عَادٍ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلْعَقِيمَ

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And in ʿĀd, when We sent against them the barren wind.

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44

فَعَتَوْا عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ

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But they defied the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.

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From the tafsīr

The description of ʿĀd's wind as leaving remains 'like decayed palm trunks' emphasises the totality of the destruction — nothing recognisably human was left.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:41–42

Thamūd being seized 'while they looked on' (yanẓurūn) is highlighted as showing they had full advance warning and watched their own destruction approach without repenting.

Cited toAl-Qurṭubī on 51:44

Key takeaways

Reflect

What warnings have you seen clearly but not yet acted on?

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Question 1 of 1

What is emphasised about Thamūd's destruction in 51:44, per al-Qurṭubī?

THEME 05Āyāt 56–58

Created only to worship

I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want any provision from them, nor do I want them to feed Me. Indeed, it is Allah who is the Provider, the Possessor of Might, the Firm.

Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 51:57–58; Ibn Kathīr on 51:56

56

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

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And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

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57

مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ

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I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me.

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58

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلْقُوَّةِ ٱلْمَتِينُ

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Indeed, Allāh is the Provider, the Possessor of Might, the Firm.

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From the tafsīr

This verse is cited as the clearest single statement in the Qurʾān of the purpose of human and jinn creation: worship (ʿibādah), understood broadly to include all obedience, not ritual alone.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:56

The explicit denial that Allah wants provision from His creation refutes any notion of worship as a transaction that benefits Him; rather, all provision flows from Him to His creation, in complete self-sufficiency (al-ghanī).

Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 51:57–58

Key takeaways

Reflect

If worship is your stated purpose, how much of your daily time and effort actually reflects that?

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Question 1 of 2

What does al-Saʿdī say the denial of wanting provision from creation (51:57) refutes?

Question 2 of 2

According to 51:56, why were jinn and mankind created?

THEME 06Āyāt 50–51

So flee to Allah

So flee to Allah; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner. And do not set up with Allah another god; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.

Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 51:50–51; Ibn Kathīr on 51:50

50

فَفِرُّوٓا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ

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So flee to Allāh. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.

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From the tafsīr

'Flee to Allah' (fa firrū ilā Allāh) is explained as fleeing from sin and from reliance on anything besides Him, taking refuge in obedience and repentance, repeated as the central practical instruction of the surah.

Cited toIbn Kathīr on 51:50

The repetition of 'I am to you from Him a clear warner' across both verses underscores that the warning against shirk is not incidental but the direct point of every messenger's mission.

Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 51:50–51

Key takeaways

Reflect

What are you fleeing toward when trouble comes — Allah, or something else?

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Answer from memory before scrolling back — retrieval is what makes it stick.

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Question 1 of 1

What does 'flee to Allah' in 51:50 mean, per Ibn Kathīr?

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VOCABULARY

Roots from this surah

Learn the three-letter root and you unlock every word built from it — across the whole Qur'an, not just this surah.

ذ ر و

āyāt 1

to scatter, winnow

  • ٱلذَّٰرِيَـٰتِthe scattering winds
  • ذَرْوًاscattering

ج ر ي

āyāt 3

to run, flow, sail

  • ٱلْجَـٰرِيَـٰتِthe running ones
  • جَرَىٰit flowed/ran

ق س م

āyāt 4

to divide, apportion

  • ٱلْمُقَسِّمَـٰتِthose apportioning
  • قِسْمَةa division

ص د ق

āyāt 5

truth, sincerity

  • لَصَادِقٌsurely true
  • صِدْقtruthfulness

ر ز ق

āyāt 22, 58

provision, sustenance

  • رِزْقُكُمْyour provision
  • ٱلرَّزَّاقُthe Provider

خ و ف

āyāt 28

fear, apprehension

  • خِيفَةًfear
  • لَا تَخَفْdo not fear

س ل م

āyāt 36

submission, peace, safety

  • ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَthe Muslims
  • إِسْلَامsubmission

ص ع ق

āyāt 44

thunderbolt, to be struck senseless

  • ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُthe thunderbolt
  • صُعِقَhe was struck down

ف ر ر

āyāt 50

to flee

  • فَفِرُّوٓاso flee
  • فِرَارfleeing

ع ب د

āyāt 56

to worship, serve

  • لِيَعْبُدُونِto worship Me
  • عِبَادَةworship
  • عَبْدservant/slave

ب ن ي

āyāt 47

to build, construct

  • بَنَيْنَـٰهَاWe constructed it
  • بِنَآءconstruction

ف ر ش

āyāt 48

to spread out

  • فَرَشْنَـٰهَاWe spread it out
  • فِرَاشbedding/spread

Carry this with you

  • Allah swears by ordinary natural processes — wind, cloud, ship, angel — to affirm the certainty of resurrection.
  • Provision on earth traces back to the heaven, and giving to those who ask is a due, not optional charity.
  • Hospitality, fear, and glad tidings intertwine in the story of Ibrāhīm's angelic guests.
  • Destroyed nations across history followed the same pattern: clear warning, defiance, sudden seizure.
  • Jinn and mankind were created for one explicit purpose: to worship Allah, who needs nothing from them.
  • Fleeing to Allah — from sin and false reliance — is the surah's central practical instruction.

Where this surah connects

Cross-surah threads

Parts of the Qurʾān explain other parts. Each thread below opens the same subject as it is argued across every other surah you have studied, in revelation order.

The signs you already walk on4 movementsThe Hour and the accounting2 movementsProvision, wealth and the tongue that forgets2 movementsThe four trials1 movementPatience while the answer is delayed1 movement
All threads →

Sources behind Sūrah Adh-Dhāriyāt

Every line of context, tafsīr and takeaway on this page traces back to one of these references. Ḥadīth numbers open on sunnah.com and āyah references open on quran.com, so you can check the claim rather than take it on trust. The Arabic text itself is fetched live from a verified public corpus.

FINAL ASSESSMENT

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Adh-Dhāriyāt · Created only to worship

According to 51:56, why were jinn and mankind created?

Arabic (Uthmānī script) and the Ṣaḥīḥ International translation are fetched live from the Quran.com API (v4), sourced from the King Fahd Complex muṣḥaf — api.quran.com API docs · Translation: Ṣaḥīḥ International · Integrity & testing protocol