Revealed during the intensely difficult late Makkan period when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was facing relentless mockery and stubborn opposition from the Quraysh, Surah Al-Hijr (The Rocky Tract) was sent down as a source of psychological comfort and divine reassurance. To address the disbelievers' arrogant demands for physical miracles and their ridicule of the revelation, the chapter establishes a monumental divine guarantee: that God Himself has sent down the Quran and He alone will perfectly preserve and protect it from any corruption until the end of time. The Surah takes its name from the people of Al-Hijr (the nation of Thamud), who arrogantly believed that carving massive, impenetrable mansions directly into solid mountain rock would protect them from divine decree, yet their destruction was swift and total, serving as a stark historical warning that worldly power and material fortifications cannot deter ultimate justice. The chapter also revisits the cosmic origins of human struggle, detailing Satan’s arrogant refusal to prostrate to Adam and his sinister vow to visually "beautify" sin on earth, thereby warning believers about the deceptive illusions of temptation. Ultimately, the Surah commands the Prophet to publicly and fearlessly declare his message without being saddened by the worldly wealth or numbers of his opponents, culminating in a beautiful, grounding directive to simply ignore the mockers, continuously glorify the Creator, and persist in unwavering worship until the moment of ultimate certainty—death—arrives.
Transliteration
Aliflamra tilka ayatu alkitabi waquranin mubeenin
Translation
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the Verses of the Book; a Quran that makes things clear
These disjointed letters ('Alif-Lam-Ra') are Huruf Muqatta'at, whose definitive meaning rests with Allah alone. They affirm the divine clarity and authority of the Quran.
Transliteration
Rubama yawaddu allatheena kafaroo law kanoo muslimeena
Translation
Perhaps those who disbelieve would like to become Muslims
Transliteration
Tharhum yakuloo wayatamattaAAoo wayulhihimu alamalu fasawfa yaAAlamoona
Translation
Leave them to eat, and enjoy, and be lulled by hope. They will find out
Transliteration
Wama ahlakna min qaryatin illa walaha kitabun maAAloomun
Translation
We have never destroyed a town unless it had a set time
Transliteration
Ma tasbiqu min ommatin ajalaha wama yastakhiroona
Translation
No nation can bring its time forward, nor can they delay it
Transliteration
Waqaloo ya ayyuha allathee nuzzila AAalayhi alththikru innaka lamajnoonun
Translation
And they said, “O you who received the message, you are insane.”
Meccan aristocrats frequently insulted the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, scoffing that anyone claiming to receive angelic communication must be mentally unstable or possessed.
Transliteration
Law ma tateena bialmalaikati in kunta mina alssadiqeena
Translation
Why do you not bring us the angels, if you are truthful?”
Transliteration
Ma nunazzilu almalaikata illa bialhaqqi wama kanoo ithan munthareena
Translation
We do not send the angels down except with reason, and they will not be held back
Transliteration
Inna nahnu nazzalna alththikra wainna lahu lahafithoona
Translation
Surely We revealed the Message, and We will surely preserve it
A foundational divine promise: God personally guarantees the eternal textual preservation of the Quran. Unlike previous scriptures which were entrusted to human custodians, the Quran's text remains verbatim, letter-for-letter identical throughout history.
Transliteration
Walaqad arsalna min qablika fee shiyaAAi alawwaleena
Translation
We sent others before you, to the former communities
Transliteration
Wama yateehim min rasoolin illa kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
But no messenger came to them, but they ridiculed him
Transliteration
Kathalika naslukuhu fee quloobi almujrimeena
Translation
Thus We slip it into the hearts of the guilty
Transliteration
La yuminoona bihi waqad khalat sunnatu alawwaleena
Translation
They do not believe in it, though the ways of the ancients have passed away
Transliteration
Walaw fatahna AAalayhim baban mina alssamai fathalloo feehi yaAArujoona
Translation
Even if We opened for them a gateway into the sky, and they began to ascend through it
Transliteration
Laqaloo innama sukkirat absaruna bal nahnu qawmun mashooroona
Translation
They would still say, “Our eyes are hallucinating; in fact, we are people bewitched.”
Transliteration
Walaqad jaAAalna fee alssamai buroojan wazayyannaha lilnnathireena
Translation
We placed constellations in the sky, and made them beautiful to the beholders
Transliteration
Wahafithnaha min kulli shaytanin rajeemin
Translation
And We guarded them from every outcast devil
Describes the celestial barrier guarding the heavens against devils (Jinn) who attempt to eavesdrop on cosmic decrees, which are repelled by piercing meteors ('Shihab').
Transliteration
Illa mani istaraqa alssamAAa faatbaAAahu shihabun mubeenun
Translation
Except one who steals a hearing, and is followed by a visible projectile
Transliteration
Waalarda madadnaha waalqayna feeha rawasiya waanbatna feeha min kulli shayin mawzoonin
Translation
We spread the earth, and placed stabilizers in it, and in it We grew all things in proper measure
Transliteration
WajaAAalna lakum feeha maAAayisha waman lastum lahu biraziqeena
Translation
And in it We created livelihoods for you, and for those for whom you are not the providers
Transliteration
Wain min shayin illa AAindana khazainuhu wama nunazziluhu illa biqadarin maAAloomin
Translation
There is not a thing but with Us are its stores, and We send it down only in precise measure
Transliteration
Waarsalna alrriyaha lawaqiha faanzalna mina alssamai maan faasqaynakumoohu wama antum lahu bikhazineena
Translation
We send the fertilizing winds; and send down water from the sky, and give it to you to drink, and you are not the ones who store it
Transliteration
Wainna lanahnu nuhyee wanumeetu wanahnu alwarithoona
Translation
It is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritors
Transliteration
Walaqad AAalimna almustaqdimeena minkum walaqad AAalimna almustakhireena
Translation
And We know those of you who go forward, and We know those who lag behind
Transliteration
Wainna rabbaka huwa yahshuruhum innahu hakeemun AAaleemun
Translation
It is your Lord who will gather them together. He is the Wise, the Knowing
Transliteration
Walaqad khalaqna alinsana min salsalin min hamain masnoonin
Translation
We created the human being from clay, from molded mud
Details the physical origins of humanity: Adam was fashioned from altered, sounding clay, after which God breathed into him a created spirit (Ruh), elevating human beings with conscious soul and moral intellect.
Transliteration
Waaljanna khalaqnahu min qablu min nari alssamoomi
Translation
And the jinn We created before, from piercing fire
Transliteration
Waith qala rabbuka lilmalaikati innee khaliqun basharan min salsalin min hamain masnoonin
Translation
Your Lord said to the angels, “I am creating a human being from clay, from molded mud.”
Transliteration
Faitha sawwaytuhu wanafakhtu feehi min roohee faqaAAoo lahu sajideena
Translation
“When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down prostrating before him.”
Transliteration
Fasajada almalaikatu kulluhum ajmaAAoona
Translation
So the angels prostrated themselves, all together
Transliteration
Illa ibleesa aba an yakoona maAAa alssajideena
Translation
Except for Satan. He refused to be among those who prostrated themselves
Iblis (Satan) refused the divine command to bow before Adam out of arrogant pride, claiming superiority based on his origin from fire compared to Adam's origin from humble earth—the first recorded instance of racism and arrogance.
Transliteration
Qala ya ibleesu ma laka alla takoona maAAa alssajideena
Translation
He said, “O Satan, what kept you from being among those who prostrated themselves?”
Transliteration
Qala lam akun liasjuda libasharin khalaqtahu min salsalin min hamain masnoonin
Translation
He said, “I am not about to prostrate myself before a human being, whom You created from clay, from molded mud.”
Transliteration
Qala faokhruj minha fainnaka rajeemun
Translation
He said, “Then get out of here, for you are an outcast”
Transliteration
Wainna AAalayka allaAAnata ila yawmi alddeeni
Translation
“And the curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment.”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi faanthirnee ila yawmi yubAAathoona
Translation
He said, “My Lord, reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected.”
Transliteration
Qala fainnaka mina almunthareena
Translation
He said, “You are of those reprieved.”
Transliteration
Ila yawmi alwaqti almaAAloomi
Translation
“Until the Day of the time appointed.”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi bima aghwaytanee laozayyinanna lahum fee alardi walaoghwiyannahum ajmaAAeena
Translation
He said, “My Lord, since You have lured me away, I will glamorize for them on earth, and I will lure them all away.”
Transliteration
Illa AAibadaka minhumu almukhlaseena
Translation
“Except for Your sincere servants among them.”
Transliteration
Qala hatha siratun AAalayya mustaqeemun
Translation
He said, “This is a right way with Me.”
Transliteration
Inna AAibadee laysa laka AAalayhim sultanun illa mani ittabaAAaka mina alghaweena
Translation
“Over My servants you have no authority, except for the sinners who follow you.”
Transliteration
Wainna jahannama lamawAAiduhum ajmaAAeena
Translation
And Hell is the meeting-place for them all
Transliteration
Laha sabAAatu abwabin likulli babin minhum juzon maqsoomun
Translation
“It has seven doors; for each door is an assigned class.”
Transliteration
Inna almuttaqeena fee jannatin waAAuyoonin
Translation
But the righteous will be in gardens with springs
Transliteration
Odkhulooha bisalamin amineena
Translation
“Enter it in peace and security.”
Transliteration
WanazaAAna ma fee sudoorihim min ghillin ikhwanan AAala sururin mutaqabileena
Translation
And We will remove all ill-feelings from their hearts—brothers and sisters, on couches facing one another
Transliteration
La yamassuhum feeha nasabun wama hum minha bimukhrajeena
Translation
No fatigue will ever touch them therein, nor will they be asked to leave it
Transliteration
Nabbi AAibadee annee ana alghafooru alrraheemu
Translation
Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, the Merciful
Transliteration
Wa anna AAathabee huwa alAAathabu alaleemu
Translation
And that My punishment is the painful punishment
Transliteration
Wanabbihum AAan dayfi ibraheema
Translation
And inform them of the guests of Abraham
Transliteration
Ith dakhaloo AAalayhi faqaloo salaman qala inna minkum wajiloona
Translation
When they entered upon him, and said, “Peace.” He said, “We are wary of you.”
Transliteration
Qaloo la tawjal inna nubashshiruka bighulamin AAaleemin
Translation
They said, “Do not fear; we bring you good news of a boy endowed with knowledge.”
Transliteration
Qala abashshartumoonee AAala an massaniya alkibaru fabima tubashshirooni
Translation
He said, “Do you bring me good news, when old age has overtaken me? What good news do you bring?”
Transliteration
Qaloo bashsharnaka bialhaqqi fala takun mina alqaniteena
Translation
They said, “We bring you good news in truth, so do not despair.”
Transliteration
Qala waman yaqnatu min rahmati rabbihi illa alddalloona
Translation
He said, “And who despairs of his Lord’s mercy but the lost?”
Transliteration
Qala fama khatbukum ayyuha almursaloona
Translation
He said, “So what is your business, O envoys?”
Transliteration
Qaloo inna orsilna ila qawmin mujrimeena
Translation
They said, “We were sent to a sinful people.”
Transliteration
Illa ala lootin inna lamunajjoohum ajmaAAeena
Translation
“Except for the family of Lot; we will save them all.”
Transliteration
Illa imraatahu qaddarna innaha lamina alghabireena
Translation
“Except for his wife.” We have determined that she will be of those who lag behind
Transliteration
Falamma jaa ala lootin almursaloona
Translation
And when the envoys came to the family of Lot
Transliteration
Qala innakum qawmun munkaroona
Translation
He said, “You are a people unknown to me.”
Transliteration
Qaloo bal jinaka bima kanoo feehi yamtaroona
Translation
They said, “We bring you what they have doubts about.”
Transliteration
Waataynaka bialhaqqi wainna lasadiqoona
Translation
“We bring you the truth, and we are truthful.”
Transliteration
Faasri biahlika biqitAAin mina allayli waittabiAA adbarahum wala yaltafit minkum ahadun waimdoo haythu tumaroona
Translation
“Travel with your family at the dead of the night, and follow up behind them, and let none of you look back, and proceed as commanded.”
Transliteration
Waqadayna ilayhi thalika alamra anna dabira haolai maqtooAAun musbiheena
Translation
And We informed him of Our decree: the last remnant of these will be uprooted by early morning
Transliteration
Wajaa ahlu almadeenati yastabshiroona
Translation
And the people of the town came joyfully
Transliteration
Qala inna haolai dayfee fala tafdahooni
Translation
He said, “These are my guests, so do not embarrass me.”
Transliteration
Waittaqoo Allaha wala tukhzooni
Translation
“And fear God, and do not disgrace me.”
Transliteration
Qaloo awalam nanhaka AAani alAAalameena
Translation
They said, “Did we not forbid you from strangers?”
Transliteration
Qala haolai banatee in kuntum faAAileena
Translation
He said, “These are my daughters, if you must.”
Transliteration
LaAAamruka innahum lafee sakratihim yaAAmahoona
Translation
By your life, they were blundering in their drunkenness
Transliteration
Faakhathathumu alssayhatu mushriqeena
Translation
So the Blast struck them at sunrise
Transliteration
FajaAAalna AAaliyaha safilaha waamtarna AAalayhim hijaratan min sijjeelin
Translation
And We turned it upside down, and rained down upon them stones of baked clay
Transliteration
Inna fee thalika laayatin lilmutawassimeena
Translation
Surely in that are lessons for those who read signs
Transliteration
Wainnaha labisabeelin muqeemin
Translation
And it is on an existing road
Transliteration
Inna fee thalika laayatan lilmumineena
Translation
Surely in that is a sign for the believers
Transliteration
Wain kana ashabu alaykati lathalimeena
Translation
The people of the Woods were also wrongdoers
Transliteration
Faintaqamna minhum wainnahuma labiimamin mubeenin
Translation
So We took revenge upon them. Both are clearly documented
Transliteration
Walaqad kaththaba ashabu alhijri almursaleena
Translation
The people of the Rock also rejected the messengers
Refers to the 'Companions of the Rocky Tract' (Ashab al-Hijr)—the people of Prophet Salih (Thamud). They carved elaborate, fortified mansions into desert sandstone cliffs (Mada'in Salih in modern Saudi Arabia), yet their engineering could not save them from divine retribution.
Transliteration
Waataynahum ayatina fakanoo AAanha muAArideena
Translation
We gave them Our revelations, but they turned away from them
Transliteration
Wakanoo yanhitoona mina aljibali buyootan amineena
Translation
They used to carve homes in the mountains, feeling secure
Transliteration
Faakhathathumu alssayhatu musbiheena
Translation
But the Blast struck them in the morning
Transliteration
Fama aghna AAanhum ma kanoo yaksiboona
Translation
All they had acquired was of no avail to them
Transliteration
Wama khalaqna alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi wainna alssaAAata laatiyatun faisfahi alssafha aljameela
Translation
We did not create the heavens and the earth, and what lies between them, except with truth. The Hour is coming, so forgive with gracious forgiveness
Transliteration
Inna rabbaka huwa alkhallaqu alAAaleemu
Translation
Your Lord is the All-Knowing Creator
Transliteration
Walaqad ataynaka sabAAan mina almathanee waalqurana alAAatheema
Translation
We have given you seven of the pairs, and the Grand Quran
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly identified the 'Seven Often-Repeated Verses' ('Sab'an min al-Mathani') as Surah Al-Fatihah, which believers recite repeatedly in every unit (Rak'ah) of daily prayer.
Transliteration
La tamuddanna AAaynayka ila ma mattaAAna bihi azwajan minhum wala tahzan AAalayhim waikhfid janahaka lilmumineena
Translation
Do not extend your eyes towards what We have bestowed on some couples of them to enjoy, and do not grieve over them, and lower your wing to the believers
Transliteration
Waqul innee ana alnnatheeru almubeenu
Translation
And say, “I am the clear warner.”
Transliteration
Kama anzalna AAala almuqtasimeena
Translation
Just as We sent down to the separatists
Transliteration
Allatheena jaAAaloo alqurana AAideena
Translation
Those who made the Quran obsolete
Refers to the pagan Quraysh conspiring before the annual pilgrimage season to divide up their slander against the Quran—some labeling it poetry, others magic, and others ancient myths—to discourage visitors from listening to it.
Transliteration
Fawarabbika lanasalannahum ajmaAAeena
Translation
By your Lord, we will question them all
Transliteration
AAamma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
About what they used to do
Transliteration
FaisdaAA bima tumaru waaAArid AAani almushrikeena
Translation
So proclaim openly what you are commanded, and turn away from the polytheists
A decisive historical turning point in the Prophet's mission: after three initial years of quiet, private teaching in Mecca, God commanded him to step forward publicly on Mount Safa and declare the message of Islam openly to all.
Transliteration
Inna kafaynaka almustahzieena
Translation
We are enough for you against the mockers
Reassures the Prophet ﷺ that God would handle the five chief aristocrats of Mecca who spearheaded the campaign of cruel mockery against him. Historically, all five met bizarre, untimely deaths before the Battle of Badr.
Transliteration
Allatheena yajAAaloona maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara fasawfa yaAAlamoona
Translation
Those who set up another god with God. They will come to know
Transliteration
Walaqad naAAlamu annaka yadeequ sadruka bima yaqooloona
Translation
We are aware that your heart is strained by what they say
Transliteration
Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika wakun mina alssajideena
Translation
So glorify the praise of your Lord, and be among those who bow down
Transliteration
WaoAAbud rabbaka hatta yatiyaka alyaqeenu
Translation
And worship your Lord in order to attain certainty