Revealed in the middle Makkan period, Surah Saba (Sheba) addresses the disbelievers' stubborn rejection of resurrection and the truth of the Hereafter by contrasting the fates of historical civilizations. It details the stories of Prophet David and Solomon, who were blessed with immense power, iron-working, control of winds, and jinn, yet remained deeply grateful servants of God. In stark contrast, it narrates the downfall of the people of Saba (Sheba), whose ungratefulness for their thriving gardens led to their utter destruction by a catastrophic flood. The chapter systematically refutes the concept of partners associated with God, reminding humanity that worldly power and wealth are fleeting tests.
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi allathee lahu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi walahu alhamdu fee alakhirati wahuwa alhakeemu alkhabeeru
Translation
Praise be to God, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; and praise be to Him in the Hereafter. He is the Wise, the Expert
Transliteration
YaAAlamu ma yaliju fee alardi wama yakhruju minha wama yanzilu mina alssamai wama yaAAruju feeha wahuwa alrraheemu alghafooru
Translation
He knows what penetrates into the earth, and what comes out of it, and what descends from the sky, and what ascends to it. He is the Merciful, the Forgiving
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo la tateena alssaAAatu qul bala warabbee latatiyannakum AAalimi alghaybi la yaAAzubu AAanhu mithqalu tharratin fee alssamawati wala fee alardi wala asgharu min thalika wala akbaru illa fee kitabin mubeenin
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “The Hour will not come upon us.” Say, “Yes indeed, by my Lord, it will come upon you. He is the Knower of the unseen.” Not an atom's weight in the heavens and the earth, or anything smaller or larger, escapes His knowledge. All are in a Clear Record
Meccan skeptics rejected the concept of bodily resurrection, claiming the Last Hour was an impossibility. God responds by swearing by Himself that the Day will certainly arrive, emphasizing His microscopic knowledge of every atom in existence.
Transliteration
Liyajziya allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati olaika lahum maghfiratun warizqun kareemun
Translation
That He may recompense those who believe and do good works. Those will have forgiveness, and a generous provision
Transliteration
Waallatheena saAAaw fee ayatina muAAajizeena olaika lahum AAathabun min rijzin aleemin
Translation
As for those who strive against Our revelations, seeking to undermine them—for them is a punishment of a painful plague
Transliteration
Wayara allatheena ootoo alAAilma allathee onzila ilayka min rabbika huwa alhaqqa wayahdee ila sirati alAAazeezi alhameedi
Translation
Those who received knowledge know that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth; and it guides to the path of the Majestic, the Praiseworthy
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo hal nadullukum AAala rajulin yunabbiokum itha muzziqtum kulla mumazzaqin innakum lafee khalqin jadeedin
Translation
Those who disbelieved said, “Shall we point out to you a man, who will tell you that, once torn into shreds, you will be in a new creation
Transliteration
Aftara AAala Allahi kathiban am bihi jinnatun bali allatheena la yuminoona bialakhirati fee alAAathabi waalddalali albaAAeedi
Translation
Did he invent a lie about God, or is there madness in him?” Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are in torment, and far astray
Transliteration
Afalam yaraw ila ma bayna aydeehim wama khalfahum mina alssamai waalardi in nasha nakhsif bihimu alarda aw nusqit AAalayhim kisafan mina alssamai inna fee thalika laayatan likulli AAabdin muneebin
Translation
Do they not reflect upon what lies before them and behind them, of the heaven and the earth? If We will, We can make the earth cave in beneath them, or make pieces of the sky fall down on them. In that is a sign for every devout servant
Transliteration
Walaqad atayna dawooda minna fadlan ya jibalu awwibee maAAahu waalttayra waalanna lahu alhadeeda
Translation
We bestowed upon David favor from Us: “O mountains, and birds: echo with him.” And We softened iron for him
Recalls the divine blessings bestowed on Prophet David (Dawud): surrounding mountains and wild birds were inspired to join him in glorifying God, and iron miraculously softened in his hands like warm clay, enabling him to pioneer flexible interlocking chain mail armor ('Sabighat').
Transliteration
Ani iAAmal sabighatin waqaddir fee alssardi waiAAmaloo salihan innee bima taAAmaloona baseerun
Translation
“Make coats of armor, and measure the links well; and work righteousness. I am Observant of everything you do.”
Transliteration
Walisulaymana alrreeha ghuduwwuha shahrun warawahuha shahrun waasalna lahu AAayna alqitri wamina aljinni man yaAAmalu bayna yadayhi biithni rabbihi waman yazigh minhum AAan amrina nuthiqhu min AAathabi alssaAAeeri
Translation
And for Solomon the wind—its outward journey was one month, and its return journey was one month. And We made a spring of tar flow for him. And there were sprites that worked under him, by the leave of his Lord. But whoever of them swerved from Our command, We make him taste of the punishment of the Inferno
Details the favors granted to Prophet Solomon (Sulayman): the wind traveled a month's distance in a morning's breeze, a spring of molten bronze flowed like liquid for him, and jinn labored under his authority in building civic monuments.
Transliteration
YaAAmaloona lahu ma yashao min mahareeba watamatheela wajifanin kaaljawabi waqudoorin rasiyatin iAAmaloo ala dawooda shukran waqaleelun min AAibadiya alshshakooru
Translation
They made for him whatever he wished: sanctuaries, statues, bowls like pools, and heavy cauldrons. “O House of David, work with appreciation,” but a few of My servants are appreciative
Transliteration
Falamma qadayna AAalayhi almawta ma dallahum AAala mawtihi illa dabbatu alardi takulu minsaatahu falamma kharra tabayyanati aljinnu an law kanoo yaAAlamoona alghayba ma labithoo fee alAAathabi almuheeni
Translation
Then, when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated his death to them except an earthworm eating at his staff. Then, when he fell down, it became clear to the sprites that, had they known the unseen, they would not have remained in the demeaning torment
The passing of Prophet Solomon: he passed away while leaning upright against his wooden staff, so the jinn continued their heavy labor unaware of his death until a tiny wood-boring termite chewed through the staff, causing his body to fall. This incident conclusively disproved the myth that jinn possess supernatural knowledge of the unseen.
Transliteration
Laqad kana lisabain fee maskanihim ayatun jannatani AAan yameenin washimalin kuloo min rizqi rabbikum waoshkuroo lahu baldatun tayyibatun warabbun ghafoorun
Translation
In Sheba’s homeland there used to be a wonder: two gardens, on the right, and on the left. “Eat of your Lord’s provision, and give thanks to Him.” A good land, and a forgiving Lord
Introduces the ancient South Arabian Kingdom of Sheba (Saba' in modern Yemen), celebrated for its fertile terraced twin agricultural gardens sustained by the legendary Great Dam of Ma'rib.
Transliteration
FaaAAradoo faarsalna AAalayhim sayla alAAarimi wabaddalnahum bijannatayhim jannatayni thawatay okulin khamtin waathlin washayin min sidrin qaleelin
Translation
But they turned away, so We unleashed against them the flood of the dam; and We substituted their two gardens with two gardens of bitter fruits, thorny shrubs, and meager harvest
When the people of Sheba grew arrogant and neglected their blessings, God sent 'Sayl al-'Arim' (The Deluge of the Dam)—a catastrophic breach of the Ma'rib Dam that wiped out their irrigation infrastructure, replacing their lush orchards with bitter shrubbery and wild lote trees.
Transliteration
Thalika jazaynahum bima kafaroo wahal nujazee illa alkafoora
Translation
We thus penalized them for their ingratitude. Would We penalize any but the ungrateful
Transliteration
WajaAAalna baynahum wabayna alqura allatee barakna feeha quran thahiratan waqaddarna feeha alssayra seeroo feeha layaliya waayyaman amineena
Translation
Between them and the towns We had blessed, We placed prominent towns, and We made the travel between them easy. “Travel between them by night and day, in safety.”
Transliteration
Faqaloo rabbana baAAid bayna asfarina wathalamoo anfusahum fajaAAalnahum ahadeetha wamazzaqnahum kulla mumazzaqin inna fee thalika laayatin likulli sabbarin shakoorin
Translation
But they said, “Our Lord, lengthen the distances of our journeys.” They wronged themselves; so We made them history, and We scattered them in every direction. In this are lessons for every steadfast and appreciative person
Transliteration
Walaqad saddaqa AAalayhim ibleesu thannahu faittabaAAoohu illa fareeqan mina almumineena
Translation
Satan was correct in his assessment of them. They followed him, except for a group of believers
Transliteration
Wama kana lahu AAalayhim min sultanin illa linaAAlama man yuminu bialakhirati mimman huwa minha fee shakkin warabbuka AAala kulli shayin hafeethun
Translation
He had no authority over them; except that We willed to distinguish him who believes in the Hereafter, from him who is doubtful about it. Your Lord is Guardian over all things
Transliteration
Quli odAAoo allatheena zaAAamtum min dooni Allahi la yamlikoona mithqala tharratin fee alssamawati wala fee alardi wama lahum feehima min shirkin wama lahu minhum min thaheerin
Translation
Say, “Call upon those whom you claim besides God. They possess not an atom's weight in the heavens or the earth, and they possess no share of either, and He has no backers from among them.”
Transliteration
Wala tanfaAAu alshshafaAAatu AAindahu illa liman athina lahu hatta itha fuzziAAa AAan quloobihim qaloo matha qala rabbukum qaloo alhaqqa wahuwa alAAaliyyu alkabeeru
Translation
Intercession with Him is of no value, except for someone He has permitted. Until, when fear has subsided from their hearts, they will say, “What did your Lord say?” They will say, “The truth, and He is the High, the Great.”
Transliteration
Qul man yarzuqukum mina alssamawati waalardi quli Allahu wainna aw iyyakum laAAala hudan aw fee dalalin mubeenin
Translation
Say, “Who provides for you from the heavens and the earth?” Say, “God. And Either you, or we, are rightly guided, or in evident error.”
Transliteration
Qul la tusaloona AAamma ajramna wala nusalu AAamma taAAmaloona
Translation
Say, “You will not be asked about our misdeeds, nor will we be asked about what you do.”
Transliteration
Qul yajmaAAu baynana rabbuna thumma yaftahu baynana bialhaqqi wahuwa alfattahu alAAaleemu
Translation
Say, “Our Lord will bring us together; then He will judge between us equitably. He is the All-Knowing Judge.”
Transliteration
Qul arooniya allatheena alhaqtum bihi shurakaa kalla bal huwa Allahu alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Translation
Say, “Show me those you have attached to Him as associates. No indeed! But He is God, the Powerful, the Wise.”
Transliteration
Wama arsalnaka illa kaffatan lilnnasi basheeran wanatheeran walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
Translation
We sent you only universally to all people, a herald and warner, but most people do not know
Defines the universal scope of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mission: unlike previous prophets sent exclusively to their own specific ethnic tribes or nations, Muhammad ﷺ was sent to all humanity across all times and regions.
Transliteration
Wayaqooloona mata hatha alwaAAdu in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
And they say, “When is this promise due, if you are truthful?”
Transliteration
Qul lakum meeAAadu yawmin la tastakhiroona AAanhu saAAatan wala tastaqdimoona
Translation
Say, “You are promised a Day, which you cannot postpone by one hour, nor bring forward.”
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo lan numina bihatha alqurani wala biallathee bayna yadayhi walaw tara ithi alththalimoona mawqoofoona AAinda rabbihim yarjiAAu baAAduhum ila baAAdin alqawla yaqoolu allatheena istudAAifoo lillatheena istakbaroo lawla antum lakunna mumineena
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “We will never believe in this Quran, nor in what came before it.” If you could only see the wrongdoers, captive before their Lord, throwing back allegations at one another. Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “Were it not for you, we would have been believers.”
Transliteration
Qala allatheena istakbaroo lillatheena istudAAifoo anahnu sadadnakum AAani alhuda baAAda ith jaakum bal kuntum mujrimeena
Translation
Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, “Was it us who turned you away from guidance when it came to you? No indeed, you yourselves were sinful.”
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena istudAAifoo lillatheena istakbaroo bal makru allayli waalnnahari ith tamuroonana an nakfura biAllahi wanajAAala lahu andadan waasarroo alnnadamata lamma raawoo alAAathaba wajaAAalna alaghlala fee aAAnaqi allatheena kafaroo hal yujzawna illa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
And those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “It was your scheming by night and day; as you instructed us to reject God, and to set up rivals to Him.” They will hide their remorse when they see the retribution. We will put yokes around the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be repaid for anything other than what they used to do
Transliteration
Wama arsalna fee qaryatin min natheerin illa qala mutrafooha inna bima orsiltum bihi kafiroona
Translation
We sent no warner to any town, without its affluent saying, “We reject what you are sent with.”
Transliteration
Waqaloo nahnu aktharu amwalan waawladan wama nahnu bimuAAaththabeena
Translation
And they say, “We have more wealth and more children, and we will not be punished.”
Transliteration
Qul inna rabbee yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
Translation
Say, “My Lord spreads out His bounty to whomever He wills, or restricts it; but most people do not know.”
Transliteration
Wama amwalukum wala awladukum biallatee tuqarribukum AAindana zulfa illa man amana waAAamila salihan faolaika lahum jazao alddiAAfi bima AAamiloo wahum fee alghurufati aminoona
Translation
It is neither your wealth nor your children that bring you closer to Us, but it is he who believes and does good deeds. These will have a double reward for what they did; and they will reside in the Chambers, in peace and security
Transliteration
Waallatheena yasAAawna fee ayatina muAAajizeena olaika fee alAAathabi muhdaroona
Translation
But those who work against Our revelations, seeking to undermine them—those will be summoned to the punishment
Transliteration
Qul inna rabbee yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao min AAibadihi wayaqdiru lahu wama anfaqtum min shayin fahuwa yukhlifuhu wahuwa khayru alrraziqeena
Translation
Say, “My Lord extends the provision to whomever He wills of His servants, or withholds it. Anything you spend, He will replace it. He is the Best of providers.”
Transliteration
Wayawma yahshuruhum jameeAAan thumma yaqoolu lilmalaikati ahaolai iyyakum kanoo yaAAbudoona
Translation
On the Day when He gathers them all together, then say to the angels, “Was it you these used to worship?”
Transliteration
Qaloo subhanaka anta waliyyuna min doonihim bal kanoo yaAAbudoona aljinna aktharuhum bihim muminoona
Translation
They will say, “Be You glorified; You are our Master, not them. In fact, they used to worship the jinn, and most of them had faith in them.”
Transliteration
Faalyawma la yamliku baAAdukum libaAAdin nafAAan wala darran wanaqoolu lillatheena thalamoo thooqoo AAathaba alnnari allatee kuntum biha tukaththiboona
Translation
“Today, none of you has the power to profit or harm the other.” And We will say to those who did wrong, “Taste the agony of the Fire which you used to deny.”
Transliteration
Waitha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna bayyinatin qaloo ma hatha illa rajulun yureedu an yasuddakum AAamma kana yaAAbudu abaokum waqaloo ma hatha illa ifkun muftaran waqala allatheena kafaroo lilhaqqi lamma jaahum in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun
Translation
And when Our enlightening Verses are recited to them, they say, “This is nothing but a man who wants to divert you from what your ancestors used to worship.” And they say, “This is nothing but a fabricated lie.” And when the Truth comes to them, the blasphemers say of the Truth, “This is nothing but plain magic.”
Transliteration
Wama ataynahum min kutubin yadrusoonaha wama arsalna ilayhim qablaka min natheerin
Translation
But We gave them no book to study, and We did not send them any warner before you
Transliteration
Wakaththaba allatheena min qablihim wama balaghoo miAAshara ma ataynahum fakaththaboo rusulee fakayfa kana nakeeri
Translation
Those before them also denied the Truth, yet they have not attained one-tenth of what We had given them. They rejected My messengers, so how was My disapproval
Transliteration
Qul innama aAAithukum biwahidatin an taqoomoo lillahi mathna wafurada thumma tatafakkaroo ma bisahibikum min jinnatin in huwa illa natheerun lakum bayna yaday AAathabin shadeedin
Translation
Say, “I offer you a single advice: devote yourselves to God, in pairs, or individually; and reflect. There is no madness in your friend. He is just a warner to you, before the advent of a severe punishment.”
The golden rule of rational contemplation: challenges critics to step outside of the coercive influence of mob psychology and groupthink by reflecting deeply either individually or in quiet dialogue with a single trusted companion to judge the Prophet's character with honesty.
Transliteration
Qul ma saaltukum min ajrin fahuwa lakum in ajriya illa AAala Allahi wahuwa AAala kulli shayin shaheedun
Translation
Say, “Whatever compensation I have asked of you, is yours. My compensation comes only from God, and He is Witness over all things.”
Transliteration
Qul inna rabbee yaqthifu bialhaqqi AAallamu alghuyoobi
Translation
Say, “My Lord projects the truth. He is the Knower of the Unseen.”
Transliteration
Qul jaa alhaqqu wama yubdio albatilu wama yuAAeedu
Translation
Say, “The Truth has come; while falsehood can neither originate, nor regenerate.”
Transliteration
Qul in dalaltu fainnama adillu AAala nafsee waini ihtadaytu fabima yoohee ilayya rabbee innahu sameeAAun qareebun
Translation
Say, “If I err, I err only to my own loss; but if I am guided, it is by what my Lord inspires me. He is Hearing and Near.”
Transliteration
Walaw tara ith faziAAoo fala fawta waokhithoo min makanin qareebin
Translation
If you could only see when they are terrified, and there is no escape, and they are seized from a nearby place
Transliteration
Waqaloo amanna bihi waanna lahumu alttanawushu min makanin baAAeedin
Translation
And they say, “We have believed in it.” But how can they attain it from a distant place
Transliteration
Waqad kafaroo bihi min qablu wayaqthifoona bialghaybi min makanin baAAeedin
Translation
They have rejected it in the past, and made allegations from a far-off place
Transliteration
Waheela baynahum wabayna ma yashtahoona kama fuAAila biashyaAAihim min qablu innahum kanoo fee shakkin mureebin
Translation
A barrier will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done formerly with their counterparts. They were in disturbing doubt