Revealed during the middle Makkan period, Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion) defends the authenticity of the Quran and the prophethood of Muhammad (ﷺ) against the skeptics' persistent doubts and mockery. It takes its name from the Quran itself, referred to as the 'Criterion' that distinguishes truth from falsehood. The chapter addresses the disbelievers' complaints that the Prophet was a mortal who ate food and walked in the marketplaces, reminding them that all past messengers were human. It contains vivid descriptions of the Day of Judgment, illustrating the regret of those who chose bad companions and turned away from the message. The latter part of the Surah beautifully details the characteristics of the sincere servants of the Merciful (Ibad-ur-Rahman)—those who walk the earth with humility, spend their nights in prayer, avoid false witness, and respond to ignorance with peace, showcasing the practical manifestation of faith.
Transliteration
Tabaraka allathee nazzala alfurqana AAala AAabdihi liyakoona lilAAalameena natheeran
Translation
Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant, to be a warning to humanity
The title 'Al-Furqan' signifies 'The Ultimate Criterion'—the divine benchmark that clearly separates moral truth from falsehood, justice from oppression, and divine light from darkness.
Transliteration
Allathee lahu mulku alssamawati waalardi walam yattakhith waladan walam yakun lahu shareekun fee almulki wakhalaqa kulla shayin faqaddarahu taqdeeran
Translation
He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, who took to Himself no son, who never had a partner in His kingship; who created everything and determined its measure
Transliteration
Waittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan la yakhluqoona shayan wahum yukhlaqoona wala yamlikoona lianfusihim darran wala nafAAan wala yamlikoona mawtan wala hayatan wala nushooran
Translation
And yet, instead of Him, they produce for themselves gods that create nothing, but are themselves created; that have no power to harm or benefit themselves; and no power over life, death, or resurrection
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa ifkun iftarahu waaAAanahu AAalayhi qawmun akharoona faqad jaoo thulman wazooran
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “This is nothing but a lie that he made up, and others have helped him at it.” They have committed an injustice and a perjury
Transliteration
Waqaloo asateeru alawwaleena iktatabaha fahiya tumla AAalayhi bukratan waaseelan
Translation
And they say, “Tales of the ancients; he wrote them down; they are dictated to him morning and evening.”
Transliteration
Qul anzalahu allathee yaAAlamu alssirra fee alssamawati waalardi innahu kana ghafooran raheeman
Translation
Say, “It was revealed by He who knows the Secret in the heavens and the earth. He is always Forgiving and Merciful.”
Transliteration
Waqaloo mali hatha alrrasooli yakulu alttaAAama wayamshee fee alaswaqi lawla onzila ilayhi malakun fayakoona maAAahu natheeran
Translation
And they say, “What sort of messenger is this, who eats food, and walks in the marketplaces? If only an angel was sent down with him, to be alongside him a warner.”
Meccan skeptics criticized the Prophet's ﷺ normal lifestyle, asking why a genuine messenger ate ordinary food and strolled through public marketplaces like regular mortals instead of being accompanied by visible angelic attendants.
Transliteration
Aw yulqa ilayhi kanzun aw takoonu lahu jannatun yakulu minha waqala alththalimoona in tattabiAAoona illa rajulan mashooran
Translation
Or, “If only a treasure was dropped on him.” Or, “If only he had a garden from which he eats.” The evildoers also say, “You are following but a man under spell.”
Transliteration
Onthur kayfa daraboo laka alamthala fadalloo fala yastateeAAoona sabeelan
Translation
Look how they invent examples for you. They have gone astray, and cannot find a way
Transliteration
Tabaraka allathee in shaa jaAAala laka khayran min thalika jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu wayajAAal laka qusooran
Translation
Blessed is He who, if He wills, can provide you with better than that—gardens beneath which rivers flow—and He will give you palaces
Transliteration
Bal kaththaboo bialssaAAati waaAAtadna liman kaththaba bialssaAAati saAAeeran
Translation
In fact, they have denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blaze
Transliteration
Itha raathum min makanin baAAeedin samiAAoo laha taghayyuthan wazafeeran
Translation
When it sees them from a distant place, they will hear it raging and roaring
Transliteration
Waitha olqoo minha makanan dayyiqan muqarraneena daAAaw hunalika thubooran
Translation
And when they are thrown into it, into a tight place, shackled, they will plead there for death
Transliteration
La tadAAoo alyawma thubooran wahidan waodAAoo thubooran katheeran
Translation
“Do not plead for one death today, but plead for a great many deaths.”
Transliteration
Qul athalika khayrun am jannatu alkhuldi allatee wuAAida almuttaqoona kanat lahum jazaan wamaseeran
Translation
Say, “Is this better, or the Garden of Eternity promised to the righteous? It is for them a reward and a destination
Transliteration
Lahum feeha ma yashaoona khalideena kana AAala rabbika waAAdan masoolan
Translation
They will have therein whatever they desire, forever. That is upon your Lord a binding promise
Transliteration
Wayawma yahshuruhum wama yaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi fayaqoolu aantum adlaltum AAibadee haolai am hum dalloo alssabeela
Translation
On the Day when He gathers them, and what they worshiped besides God, He will say, “Was it you who misled these servants of Mine, or was it they who lost the way?”
Transliteration
Qaloo subhanaka ma kana yanbaghee lana an nattakhitha min doonika min awliyaa walakin mattaAAtahum waabaahum hatta nasoo alththikra wakanoo qawman booran
Translation
They will say, “Glory be to You. It was not for us to take any lords besides You. But you gave them enjoyments, and their ancestors, until they forgot the Message, and became ruined people.”
Transliteration
Faqad kaththabookum bima taqooloona fama tastateeAAoona sarfan wala nasran waman yathlim minkum nuthiqhu AAathaban kabeeran
Translation
They have denied you because of what you say; so you can neither avert, nor help. Whoever among you commits injustice, We will make him taste a grievous punishment
Transliteration
Wama arsalna qablaka mina almursaleena illa innahum layakuloona alttaAAama wayamshoona fee alaswaqi wajaAAalna baAAdakum libaAAdin fitnatan atasbiroona wakana rabbuka baseeran
Translation
We never sent any messengers before you, but they ate food and walked in the marketplaces. And We made some of you tempters for one another—will you be patient? Your Lord is always Observing
Reminds critics that all previous messengers of God (like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus) were ordinary mortals who ate food and engaged in daily trade, showing that prophets are relatable models rather than aloof supernatural beings.
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena la yarjoona liqaana lawla onzila AAalayna almalaikatu aw nara rabbana laqadi istakbaroo fee anfusihim waAAataw AAutuwwan kabeeran
Translation
Those who do not expect to meet Us say, “If only the angels were sent down to us, or we could see our Lord.” They have grown arrogant within themselves, and have become excessively defiant
Transliteration
Yawma yarawna almalaikata la bushra yawmaithin lilmujrimeena wayaqooloona hijran mahjooran
Translation
On the Day when they see the angels—there will be no good news for sinners on that Day; and they will say, “A protective refuge.”
Transliteration
Waqadimna ila ma AAamiloo min AAamalin fajaAAalnahu habaan manthooran
Translation
We will proceed to the works they did, and will turn them into scattered dust
Transliteration
Ashabu aljannati yawmaithin khayrun mustaqarran waahsanu maqeelan
Translation
The companions of Paradise on that Day will be better lodged, and more fairly accommodated
Transliteration
Wayawma tashaqqaqu alssamao bialghamami wanuzzila almalaikatu tanzeelan
Translation
The Day when the sky is cleft with clouds, and the angels are sent down in streams
Transliteration
Almulku yawmaithin alhaqqu lilrrahmani wakana yawman AAala alkafireena AAaseeran
Translation
On that Day, true sovereignty will belong to the Merciful, and it will be a difficult Day for the disbelievers
Transliteration
Wayawma yaAAaddu alththalimu AAala yadayhi yaqoolu ya laytanee ittakhathtu maAAa alrrasooli sabeelan
Translation
On that Day, the wrongdoer will bite his hands, and say, “If only I had followed the way with the Messenger
Transliteration
Ya waylata laytanee lam attakhith fulanan khaleelan
Translation
Oh, woe to me; I wish I never took so-and-so for a friend
Revealed concerning Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt, who was initially inclined toward Islam, but his toxic pagan companion Ubayy ibn Khalaf pressured him into repudiating faith and spitting toward the Prophet ﷺ. The verse depicts his bitter regret on Judgment Day, crying: 'Woe to me! I wish I had never taken that person as a close friend!'
Transliteration
Laqad adallanee AAani alththikri baAAda ith jaanee wakana alshshaytanu lilinsani khathoolan
Translation
He led me away from the Message after it had come to me; for Satan has always been a betrayer of man.”
Transliteration
Waqala alrrasoolu ya rabbi inna qawmee ittakhathoo hatha alqurana mahjooran
Translation
And the Messenger will say, “My Lord, my people have abandoned this Quran.”
The Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ sorrowful complaint to God on Judgment Day: 'O my Lord, indeed my people have abandoned this Quran'—warning against neglecting its recitation, contemplation, and practical implementation.
Transliteration
Wakathalika jaAAalna likulli nabiyyin AAaduwwan mina almujrimeena wakafa birabbika hadiyan wanaseeran
Translation
Likewise, to every prophet We assign enemies from among the wicked. But your Lord suffices as a Guide and Savior
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo lawla nuzzila AAalayhi alquranu jumlatan wahidatan kathalika linuthabbita bihi fuadaka warattalnahu tarteelan
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “Why was the Quran not revealed to him at once?” Thus in order to strengthen your heart thereby, and We revealed it in stages
Addresses the question of why the Quran was revealed piecemeal over twenty-three years rather than descending as a completed manuscript in a single moment: gradual revelation continuously strengthened the Prophet's heart and provided real-time solutions as historical events unfolded.
Transliteration
Wala yatoonaka bimathalin illa jinaka bialhaqqi waahsana tafseeran
Translation
Whatever argument they come to you with, We provide you with the truth, and a better exposition
Transliteration
Allatheena yuhsharoona AAala wujoohihim ila jahannama olaika sharrun makanan waadallu sabeelan
Translation
Those who are herded into Hell on their faces—those are in a worse position, and further astray from the way
Transliteration
Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba wajaAAalna maAAahu akhahu haroona wazeeran
Translation
We gave Moses the Scripture, and appointed his brother Aaron as his assistant
Transliteration
Faqulna ithhaba ila alqawmi allatheena kaththaboo biayatina fadammarnahum tadmeeran
Translation
We said, “Go to the people who rejected Our signs,” and We destroyed them completely
Transliteration
Waqawma noohin lamma kaththaboo alrrusula aghraqnahum wajaAAalnahum lilnnasi ayatan waaAAtadna lilththalimeena AAathaban aleeman
Translation
And the people of Noah: when they rejected the messengers, We drowned them, and made them a lesson for mankind. We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful retribution
Transliteration
WaAAadan wathamooda waashaba alrrassi waquroonan bayna thalika katheeran
Translation
And Aad, and Thamood, and the inhabitants of Arras, and many generations in between
Transliteration
Wakullan darabna lahu alamthala wakullan tabbarna tatbeeran
Translation
To each We presented the parables; and each We devastated utterly
Transliteration
Walaqad ataw AAala alqaryati allatee omtirat matara alssawi afalam yakoonoo yarawnaha bal kanoo la yarjoona nushooran
Translation
And they came upon the city that was drenched by the terrible rain. Did they not see it? But they do not expect resurrection
Transliteration
Waitha raawka in yattakhithoonaka illa huzuwan ahatha allathee baAAatha Allahu rasoolan
Translation
And when they see you, they take you for nothing but mockery: “Is this the one God sent as a messenger?”
Transliteration
In kada layudilluna AAan alihatina lawla an sabarna AAalayha wasawfa yaAAlamoona heena yarawna alAAathaba man adallu sabeelan
Translation
“He nearly led us away from our gods, had we not patiently adhered to them.” But they will know, when they witness the torment, who is further away from the way
Transliteration
Araayta mani ittakhatha ilahahu hawahu afaanta takoonu AAalayhi wakeelan
Translation
Have you seen him who chose his desire as his god? Would you be an agent for him
Transliteration
Am tahsabu anna aktharahum yasmaAAoona aw yaAAqiloona in hum illa kaalanAAami bal hum adallu sabeelan
Translation
Or do you assume that most of them hear or understand? They are just like cattle, but even more errant in their way
Transliteration
Alam tara ila rabbika kayfa madda alththilla walaw shaa lajaAAalahu sakinan thumma jaAAalna alshshamsa AAalayhi daleelan
Translation
Do you not see how your Lord extends the shadow? Had He willed, He could have made it still. And We made the sun a pointer to it
Transliteration
Thumma qabadnahu ilayna qabdan yaseeran
Translation
Then We withdraw it towards Us gradually
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee jaAAala lakumu allayla libasan waalnnawma subatan wajaAAala alnnahara nushooran
Translation
And it is He who made the night a covering for you, and sleep for rest; and He made the day a revival
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee arsala alrriyaha bushran bayna yaday rahmatihi waanzalna mina alssamai maan tahooran
Translation
And it is He who sends the winds, bringing advance news of His mercy; and We send down from the sky pure water
Transliteration
Linuhyiya bihi baldatan maytan wanusqiyahu mimma khalaqna anAAaman waanasiyya katheeran
Translation
To revive dead lands thereby, and to provide drink for the multitude of animals and humans We created
Transliteration
Walaqad sarrafnahu baynahum liyaththakkaroo faaba aktharu alnnasi illa kufooran
Translation
We have circulated it among them, that they may reflect, but most people persist in thanklessness
Transliteration
Walaw shina labaAAathna fee kulli qaryatin natheeran
Translation
Had We willed, We could have sent to every town a warner
Transliteration
Fala tutiAAi alkafireena wajahidhum bihi jihadan kabeeran
Translation
So do not obey the disbelievers, but strive against them with it, a mighty struggle
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee maraja albahrayni hatha AAathbun furatun wahatha milhun ojajun wajaAAala baynahuma barzakhan wahijran mahjooran
Translation
And it is He who merged the two seas; this one fresh and sweet, and that one salty and bitter; and He placed between them a barrier, and an impassable boundary
Describes the marine boundary between bodies of water (such as sweet river estuaries and saline oceans) where distinct salinity, temperature, and ecological density create a natural barrier ('Barzakh') preventing complete mixing.
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee khalaqa mina almai basharan fajaAAalahu nasaban wasihran wakana rabbuka qadeeran
Translation
And it is He who, from fluid, created the human being. Then He made relationships through marriage and mating. Your Lord is Omnipotent
Transliteration
WayaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi ma la yanfaAAuhum wala yadurruhum wakana alkafiru AAala rabbihi thaheeran
Translation
And yet, instead of God, they serve what neither profits them nor harms them. The disbeliever has always turned his back on his Lord
Transliteration
Wama arsalnaka illa mubashshiran wanatheeran
Translation
We sent you only as a herald of good news and a warner
Transliteration
Qul ma asalukum AAalayhi min ajrin illa man shaa an yattakhitha ila rabbihi sabeelan
Translation
Say, “I ask of you no payment for this—only that whoever wills may take a path to his Lord.”
Transliteration
Watawakkal AAala alhayyi allathee la yamootu wasabbih bihamdihi wakafa bihi bithunoobi AAibadihi khabeeran
Translation
And put your trust in the Living, the One who never dies; and celebrate His praise. He suffices as the All-Informed Knower of the faults of His creatures
Transliteration
Allathee khalaqa alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAala alAAarshi alrrahmanu faisal bihi khabeeran
Translation
He who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six days, then settled on the Throne. The Most Merciful. Ask about Him a well-informed
Transliteration
Waitha qeela lahumu osjudoo lilrrahmani qaloo wama alrrahmanu anasjudu lima tamuruna wazadahum nufooran
Translation
And when it is said to them, “Bow down to the Merciful,” they say, “And what is the Merciful? Are we to bow down to whatever you command us?” And it increases their aversion
When Meccan idolaters were invited to prostrate before 'Ar-Rahman' (The Most Merciful), they arrogantly sneered: 'And what is Ar-Rahman?' refusing to acknowledge God's most beloved attribute of universal compassion.
Transliteration
Tabaraka allathee jaAAala fee alssamai buroojan wajaAAala feeha sirajan waqamaran muneeran
Translation
Blessed is He who placed constellations in the sky, and placed in it a lamp, and an illuminating moon
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee jaAAala allayla waalnnahara khilfatan liman arada an yaththakkara aw arada shukooran
Translation
And it is He who made the night and the day alternate—for whoever desires to reflect, or desires to show gratitude
Transliteration
WaAAibadu alrrahmani allatheena yamshoona AAala alardi hawnan waitha khatabahumu aljahiloona qaloo salaman
Translation
The servants of the Merciful are those who walk the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace.”
Opens the portrait of the 'Servants of the Most Merciful' ('Ibad ar-Rahman'): they tread upon the earth with gentle humility, and when insulted by aggressive, ignorant people, they respond with words of peace and dignity.
Transliteration
Waallatheena yabeetoona lirabbihim sujjadan waqiyaman
Translation
And those who pass the night prostrating themselves to their Lord and standing up
Transliteration
Waallatheena yaqooloona rabbana isrif AAanna AAathaba jahannama inna AAathabaha kana gharaman
Translation
And those who say, ‘‘Our Lord, avert from us the suffering of Hell, for its suffering is continuous
Transliteration
Innaha saat mustaqarran wamuqaman
Translation
It is indeed a miserable residence and destination.”
Transliteration
Waallatheena itha anfaqoo lam yusrifoo walam yaqturoo wakana bayna thalika qawaman
Translation
And those who, when they spend, are neither wasteful nor stingy, but choose a middle course between that
Defines financial wisdom: the Servants of the Merciful avoid both lavish extravagance and selfish miserliness, maintaining a disciplined, balanced budget in all matters.
Transliteration
Waallatheena la yadAAoona maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara wala yaqtuloona alnnafsa allatee harrama Allahu illa bialhaqqi wala yaznoona waman yafAAal thalika yalqa athaman
Translation
And those who do not implore besides God any other god, and do not kill the soul which God has made sacred—except in the pursuit of justice—and do not commit adultery. Whoever does that will face penalties
Transliteration
YudaAAaf lahu alAAathabu yawma alqiyamati wayakhlud feehi muhanan
Translation
The punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will dwell therein in humiliation forever
Transliteration
Illa man taba waamana waAAamila AAamalan salihan faolaika yubaddilu Allahu sayyiatihim hasanatin wakana Allahu ghafooran raheeman
Translation
Except for those who repent, and believe, and do good deeds. These—God will replace their bad deeds with good deeds. God is ever Forgiving and Merciful
A divine promise of boundless redemption: for those who sincerely repent, believe, and perform righteous deeds, God will not only wipe away past sins, but actively transform those past errors into recorded good deeds.
Transliteration
Waman taba waAAamila salihan fainnahu yatoobu ila Allahi mataban
Translation
Whoever repents and acts righteously—has inclined towards God with repentance
Transliteration
Waallatheena la yashhadoona alzzoora waitha marroo biallaghwi marroo kiraman
Translation
And those who do not bear false witness; and when they come across indecencies, they pass by with dignity
Transliteration
Waallatheena itha thukkiroo biayati rabbihim lam yakhirroo AAalayha summan waAAumyanan
Translation
And those who, when reminded of the revelations of their Lord, do not fall before them deaf and blind
Transliteration
Waallatheena yaqooloona rabbana hab lana min azwajina wathurriyyatina qurrata aAAyunin waijAAalna lilmuttaqeena imaman
Translation
And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us delight in our spouses and our children, and make us a good example for the righteous.”
Transliteration
Olaika yujzawna alghurfata bima sabaroo wayulaqqawna feeha tahiyyatan wasalaman
Translation
Those will be awarded the Chamber for their patience, and will be greeted therein with greetings and peace
Transliteration
Khalideena feeha hasunat mustaqarran wamuqaman
Translation
Abiding therein forever—it is an excellent residence and destination
Transliteration
Qul ma yaAAbao bikum rabbee lawla duAAaokum faqad kaththabtum fasawfa yakoonu lizaman
Translation
Say, “What are you to my Lord without your prayers? You have denied the truth, and the inevitable will happen.”