Az-Zumar (Surah 39)
Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah builds on the story of the creation of Adam in the previous sûrah by referring to the creation of Adam’s spouse, and how their descendants were created in the womb, developing in successive stages. Some of those descendants choose to be faithful and grateful to their Creator, while others choose not to. Eventually, following a fair judgment, the former will be led to their places in Paradise and the latter to their places in Hell—each in successive groups (hence the sûrah’s name). Allah’s willingness to forgive sins is highly emphasized in the last part of this sûrah and the beginning of the next.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Worship Allah Alone
1. The revelation of this Book is from Allah—the Almighty, All-Wise. 2. Indeed, We have sent down the Book to you (O Prophet) in truth, so worship Allah (alone), being sincerely devoted to Him. 3. Indeed, sincere devotion is due (only) to Allah. As for those who take other lords besides Him, (saying,) “We worship them only so they may bring us closer to Allah,” surely Allah will judge between all regarding what they differed about. Allah certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 1-3
Allah’s Power of Creation
4. Had it been Allah’s Will to have offspring, He could have chosen whatever He willed of His creation. Glory be to Him! He is Allah—the One, the Supreme. 5. He created the heavens and the earth for a purpose. He wraps the night around the day, and wraps the day around the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for an appointed term. He is truly the Almighty, Most Forgiving. 6. He created you (all) from a single soul, then from it He made its mate. And He produced for you four pairs of cattle. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers (in stages), one development after another, in three layers of darkness. That is Allah—your Lord! All authority belongs to Him. There is no god (worthy of worship) except Him. How can you then be turned away?
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 4-6
Belief and Disbelief
7. If you disbelieve, then (know that) Allah is truly not in need of you, nor does He approve of disbelief from His servants. But if you become grateful (through faith), He will appreciate that from you. No soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you of what you used to do. He certainly knows best what is (hidden) in the heart.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 7-7
Disbelievers’ Ingratitude
8. When one is touched with hardship, they cry out to their Lord, turning to Him (alone). But as soon as He showers them with blessings from Him, they (totally) forget the One they had cried to earlier, and set up equals to Allah to mislead (others) from His Way. Say, (O Prophet,) “Enjoy your disbelief for a little while! You will certainly be one of the inmates of the Fire.” 9. (Are they better) or those who worship (their Lord) devoutly in the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of their Lord? Say, (O Prophet,) “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” None will be mindful (of this) except people of reason.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 8-9
Orders to the Prophet
10. Say (O Prophet, that Allah says), “O My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.” 11. Say, “I am commanded to worship Allah, being sincerely devoted to Him (alone). 12. And I am commanded to be the first of those who submit (to His Will).” 13. Say, “I truly fear—if I were to disobey my Lord—the torment of a tremendous Day.” 14. Say, “It is (only) Allah that I worship, being sincere in my devotion to Him. 15. Worship then whatever (gods) you want instead of Him.” Say, “The (true) losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on Judgment Day. That is indeed the clearest loss.” 16. They will have layers of fire above and below them. That is what Allah warns His servants with. So fear Me, O My servants!
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 10-16
The Faithful and the Unfaithful
17. And those who shun the worship of false gods, turning to Allah (alone), will have good news. So give good news to My servants (O Prophet)— 18. those who listen to what is said and follow the best of it. These are the ones (rightly) guided by Allah, and these are (truly) the people of reason. 19. What about those against whom the decree of torment has been justified? Is it you (O Prophet) who will then save those bound for the Fire? 20. But those mindful of their Lord will have (elevated) mansions, built one above the other, under which rivers flow. (That is) the promise of Allah. (And) Allah never fails in (His) promise.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 17-20
Parable for This Fleeting Life
21. Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky—channelling it through streams in the earth—then produces with it crops of various colours, then they dry up and you see them wither, and then He reduces them to chaff? Surely in this is a reminder for people of reason.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 21-21
The Believers and the Disbelievers
22. Can (the misguided be like) those whose hearts Allah has opened to Islam, so they are enlightened by their Lord? So woe to those whose hearts are hardened at the remembrance of Allah! It is they who are clearly astray.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 22-22
Excellence of the Quran
23. (It is) Allah (Who) has sent down the best message—a Book of perfect consistency and repeated lessons—which causes the skin (and hearts) of those who fear their Lord to tremble, then their skin and hearts soften at the mention of (the mercy of) Allah. That is the guidance of Allah, through which He guides whoever He wills. But whoever Allah leaves to stray will be left with no guide. 24. Are those who will only have their (bare) faces to shield themselves from the awful torment on Judgment Day (better than those in Paradise)? It will (then) be said to the wrongdoers: “Reap what you sowed!”
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 23-24
Rejection Leads to Punishment
25. Those before them (also) rejected (the truth), then the torment came upon them from where they least expected. 26. So Allah made them taste humiliation in this worldly life, but far worse is the punishment of the Hereafter, if only they knew.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 25-26
Perfection of the Quran
27. We have certainly set forth every (kind of) lesson for people in this Quran, so perhaps they will be mindful. 28. (It is) a Quran (revealed) in Arabic without any crookedness, so perhaps they will be conscious (of Allah).
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 27-28
Parable for a Polytheist and a Monotheist
29. Allah sets forth the parable of a slave owned by several quarrelsome masters, and a slave owned by only one master. Are they equal in condition? Praise be to Allah! In fact, most of them do not know.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 29-29
All Will Die
30. You (O Prophet) will certainly die, and they will die too. 31. Then on the Day of Judgment you will (all settle your) dispute before your Lord.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 30-31
Reward of the Believers and Disbelievers
32. Who then does more wrong than those who lie about Allah and reject the truth after it has reached them? Is Hell not a (fitting) home for the disbelievers? 33. And the one who has brought the truth and those who embrace it—it is they who are the righteous. 34. They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the good-doers. 35. As such, Allah will absolve them of (even) the worst of what they did and reward them according to the best of what they used to do.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 32-35
Allah Protects His Messenger
36. Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they threaten you with other (powerless) gods besides Him! Whoever Allah leaves to stray will be left with no guide. 37. And whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray. Is Allah not Almighty, capable of punishment?
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 36-37
Almighty Allah or Powerless Gods
38. If you ask them (O Prophet) who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say, “Allah!” Ask (them), “Consider then whatever (idols) you invoke besides Allah: if it was Allah’s Will to harm me, could they undo that harm? Or if He willed (some) mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?” Say, “Allah is sufficient for me. In Him (alone) the faithful put their trust.”
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 38-38
Warning to the Pagans
39. Say, (O Prophet,) “O my people! Persist in your ways, for I (too) will persist in mine. You will soon come to know 40. who will be visited by a humiliating torment (in this life) and overwhelmed by an everlasting punishment (in the next).”
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 39-40
Free Choice
41. Surely We have revealed to you the Book (O Prophet) with the truth for humanity. So whoever chooses to be guided, it is for their own good. And whoever chooses to stray, it is only to their own loss. You are not a keeper over them.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 41-41
Sleep: The Twin Brother of Death
42. (It is) Allah (Who) calls back the souls (of people) upon their death as well as (the souls) of the living during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has ordained death, and releases the others until (their) appointed time. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 42-42
Allah or the Idols
43. Or have they taken others besides Allah as intercessors? Say, (O Prophet,) “(Would they do so,) even though those (idols) have neither authority nor intelligence?” 44. Say, “All intercession belongs to Allah (alone). To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will (all) be returned.” 45. Yet when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter are filled with disgust. But as soon as those (gods) other than Him are mentioned, they are filled with joy.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 43-45
Allah Is the Judge
46. Say, (O Prophet,) “O Allah—Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the seen and unseen! You will judge between Your servants regarding their differences.” 47. Even if the wrongdoers were to possess everything in the world twice over, they would certainly offer it to ransom themselves from the horrible punishment on Judgment Day, for they will see from Allah what they had never expected. 48. And the evil (consequences) of their deeds will unfold before them, and they will be overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 46-48
Human Ingratitude
49. When one is touched with hardship, they cry out to Us (alone). Then when We shower Our blessings upon them, they say, “I have been granted all this only because of (my) knowledge.” Not at all! It is (no more than) a test. But most of them do not know. 50. The same had already been said by those (destroyed) before them, but their (worldly) gains were of no benefit to them. 51. So the evil (consequences) of their deeds overtook them. And the wrongdoers among these (pagans) will be overtaken by the evil (consequences) of their deeds. And they will have no escape. 52. Do they not know that Allah gives abundant or limited provisions to whoever He wills? Surely in this are signs for people who believe.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 49-52
Allah Forgives All Sins
53. Say, (O Prophet, that Allah says,) “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 54. Turn to your Lord (in repentance), and (fully) submit to Him before the punishment reaches you, (for) then you will not be helped. 55. Follow (the Quran,) the best of what has been revealed to you from your Lord, before the punishment takes you by surprise while you are unaware, 56. so that no (sinful) soul will say (on Judgment Day), ‘Woe to me for neglecting (my duties towards) Allah, while ridiculing (the truth).’ 57. Or (a soul will) say, ‘If only Allah had guided me, I would have certainly been one of the righteous.’ 58. Or say, upon seeing the torment, ‘If only I had a second chance, I would have been one of the good-doers.’ 59. Not at all! My revelations had already come to you, but you rejected them, acted arrogantly, and were one of the disbelievers.”
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 53-59
Judgment Day
60. On the Day of Judgment you will see those who lied about Allah with their faces gloomy. Is Hell not a (fitting) home for the arrogant? 61. And Allah will deliver those who were mindful (of Him) to their place of (ultimate) triumph. No evil will touch them, nor will they grieve. 62. Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Maintainer of everything. 63. To Him belong the keys (of the treasuries) of the heavens and the earth. As for those who rejected the signs of Allah, it is they who will be the (true) losers.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 60-63
One God Alone
64. Say, (O Prophet,) “Are you urging me to worship (anyone) other than Allah, O ignorant ones?” 65. It has already been revealed to you—and to those (prophets) before you—that if you associate others (with Allah), your deeds will certainly be void and you will truly be one of the losers. 66. Rather, worship Allah (alone) and be one of the grateful.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 64-66
Beginning of the End
67. They have not shown Allah His proper reverence—when on the Day of Judgment the (whole) earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified and Exalted is He above what they associate (with Him)! 68. The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on the earth will fall dead, except those Allah wills (to spare). Then it will be blown again and they will rise up at once, looking on (in anticipation).
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 67-68
Divine Justice
69. The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, the record (of deeds) will be laid (open), the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward—and judgment will be passed on all with fairness. None will be wronged. 70. Every soul will be paid in full for its deeds, for Allah knows best what they have done.
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 69-70
Reward of the Wicked
71. Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in (successive) groups. When they arrive there, its gates will be opened and its keepers will ask them: “Did messengers not come to you from among yourselves, reciting to you the revelations of your Lord and warning you of the coming of this Day of yours?” The disbelievers will cry, “Yes (indeed)! But the decree of torment has come to pass against the disbelievers.” 72. It will be said to them, “Enter the gates of Hell, to stay there forever.” What an evil home for the arrogant!
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 71-72
Reward of the Righteous
73. And those who were mindful of their Lord will be led to Paradise in (successive) groups. When they arrive at its (already) open gates, its keepers will say, “Peace be upon you! You have done well, so come in, to stay forever.” 74. The righteous will say, “Praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the (everlasting) land to settle in Paradise wherever we please.” How excellent is the reward of those who work (righteousness)!
Surah 39 - Az-Zumar (The ˹Successive˺ Groups) - Verses 73-74
Praising Allah’s Grace and Justice
75. You will see the angels all around the Throne, glorifying the praises of their Lord, for judgment will have been passed on all with fairness. And it will be said, “Praise be to Allah—Lord of all worlds!”