Revealed in the late Makkan period, Surah Az-Zukhruf (The Ornaments of Gold) addresses the materialistic mindset of the Quraysh, who believed that wealth and prestige were the true measures of divine favor. It refutes their false claims that the angels are daughters of God and their imitation of ancestral traditions. The chapter uses the story of Moses confronting Pharaoh and Jesus' message to show that worldly gold and ornaments are temporary illusions compared to the eternal rewards of Paradise. It warns humanity that taking a devil as a companion leads to blindness, and that the ultimate victory belongs to the faithful.
Transliteration
Hameem
Translation
Ha, Meem
These two disjointed letters ('Ha-Mim') are Huruf Muqatta'at, whose true divine meaning belongs to Allah alone. This is the fourth chapter in the seven Hawamim series.
Transliteration
Waalkitabi almubeeni
Translation
By the Book that makes things clear
God swears an oath by the clear, illuminating scripture whose words untangle truth from falsehood.
Transliteration
Inna jaAAalnahu quranan AAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona
Translation
We made it an Arabic Quran, so that you may understand
Explains the divine rationale for revealing the scripture in the eloquent, expressive Arabic tongue—so that listeners can deeply comprehend, reflect upon, and live by its guidance.
Transliteration
Wainnahu fee ommi alkitabi ladayna laAAaliyyun hakeemun
Translation
And it is with Us, in the Source Book, sublime and wise
Transliteration
Afanadribu AAankumu alththikra safhan an kuntum qawman musrifeena
Translation
Shall We hold back the Reminder from you, since you are a transgressing people
Transliteration
Wakam arsalna min nabiyyin fee alawwaleena
Translation
How many a prophet did We send to the ancients
Transliteration
Wama yateehim min nabiyyin illa kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
No messenger came to them, but they ridiculed him
Transliteration
Faahlakna ashadda minhum batshan wamada mathalu alawwaleena
Translation
We destroyed people more powerful than they, and so the example of the ancients has passed away
Transliteration
Walain saaltahum man khalaqa alssamawati waalarda layaqoolunna khalaqahunna alAAazeezu alAAaleemu
Translation
And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They would say, “The Mighty, the Knower created them.”
Transliteration
Allathee jaAAala lakumu alarda mahdan wajaAAala lakum feeha subulan laAAallakum tahtadoona
Translation
He who made the earth a habitat for you, and traced pathways for you on it, that you may be guided
Transliteration
Waallathee nazzala mina alssamai maan biqadarin faansharna bihi baldatan maytan kathalika tukhrajoona
Translation
He who sends down water from the sky in due proportion; and so We revive thereby a dead land. Thus you will be brought out
Transliteration
Waallathee khalaqa alazwaja kullaha wajaAAala lakum mina alfulki waalanAAami ma tarkaboona
Translation
He Who created all the pairs; and provided you with ships, and animals on which you ride
Transliteration
Litastawoo AAala thuhoorihi thumma tathkuroo niAAmata rabbikum itha istawaytum AAalayhi wataqooloo subhana allathee sakhkhara lana hatha wama kunna lahu muqrineena
Translation
That you may mount their backs, and remember the favor of your Lord as you sit firmly upon them, and say, “Glory be to Him Who placed these at our service; surely we could not have done it by ourselves
The foundational verse of the traditional Travel Prayer ('Du'a as-Safar'): Muslims recite this prayer whenever mounting a riding beast, car, plane, or ship, acknowledging human frailty and thanking God for subjugating powerful modes of transportation to human service.
Transliteration
Wainna ila rabbina lamunqaliboona
Translation
And surely, to our Lord we will return.”
Transliteration
WajaAAaloo lahu min AAibadihi juzan inna alinsana lakafoorun mubeenun
Translation
Yet they turn one of His servants into a part of Him. Man is clearly ungrateful
Transliteration
Ami ittakhatha mimma yakhluqu banatin waasfakum bialbaneena
Translation
Or has He chosen for Himself daughters from what He creates, and favored you with sons
Transliteration
Waitha bushshira ahaduhum bima daraba lilrrahmani mathalan thalla wajhuhu muswaddan wahuwa katheemun
Translation
Yet when one of them is given news of what he attributes to the Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he suppresses grief
Transliteration
Awaman yunashshao fee alhilyati wahuwa fee alkhisami ghayru mubeenin
Translation
“Someone brought up to be beautiful, and unable to help in a fight?”
Transliteration
WajaAAaloo almalaikata allatheena hum AAibadu alrrahmani inathan ashahidoo khalqahum satuktabu shahadatuhum wayusaloona
Translation
And they appoint the angels, who are servants to the Most Gracious, as females. Have they witnessed their creation? Their claim will be recorded, and they will be questioned
Exposes the double standard of pagan Arabian patriarchy: while pagan fathers felt deep humiliation at the birth of infant daughters, they audaciously claimed that the majestic angels were the female daughters of God, challenging them on whether they ever witnessed such a creation.
Transliteration
Waqaloo law shaa alrrahmanu ma AAabadnahum ma lahum bithalika min AAilmin in hum illa yakhrusoona
Translation
And they say, “Had the Most Gracious willed, we would not have worshiped them.” But they have no knowledge of that; they are merely guessing
Transliteration
Am ataynahum kitaban min qablihi fahum bihi mustamsikoona
Translation
Or have We given them a book prior to this one, to which they adhere
Transliteration
Bal qaloo inna wajadna abaana AAala ommatin wainna AAala atharihim muhtadoona
Translation
But they say, “We found our parents on a course, and we are guided in their footsteps.”
Transliteration
Wakathalika ma arsalna min qablika fee qaryatin min natheerin illa qala mutrafooha inna wajadna abaana AAala ommatin wainna AAala atharihim muqtadoona
Translation
Likewise, We sent no warner before you to any town, but the wealthy among them said, “We found our parents on a course, and we are following in their footsteps.”
Transliteration
Qala awalaw jitukum biahda mimma wajadtum AAalayhi abaakum qaloo inna bima orsiltum bihi kafiroona
Translation
He would say, “Even if I bring you better guidance than what you found your parents following?” They would say, “We reject what you are sent with.”
Transliteration
Faintaqamna minhum faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena
Translation
So We wreaked vengeance upon them. Behold, then, what was the fate of those who deny
Transliteration
Waith qala ibraheemu liabeehi waqawmihi innanee baraon mimma taAAbudoona
Translation
When Abraham said to his father and his people, “I am innocent of what you worship
Transliteration
Illa allathee fataranee fainnahu sayahdeeni
Translation
Except for He who created me, for He will guide me.”
Transliteration
WajaAAalaha kalimatan baqiyatan fee AAaqibihi laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Translation
And he made it an enduring word in his progeny, so that they may return
Transliteration
Bal mattaAAtu haolai waabaahum hatta jaahumu alhaqqu warasoolun mubeenun
Translation
I gave these and their forefathers some enjoyment, until the truth and a manifest messenger came to them
Transliteration
Walamma jaahumu alhaqqu qaloo hatha sihrun wainna bihi kafiroona
Translation
But when the truth came to them, they said, “This is sorcery, and we refuse to believe in it.”
Transliteration
Waqaloo lawla nuzzila hatha alquranu AAala rajulin mina alqaryatayni AAatheemun
Translation
They also said, “If only this Quran was sent down to a man of importance from the two cities.”
Meccan aristocrats arrogantly objected to Muhammad's ﷺ prophethood, arguing that if God wanted to send a message, He should have chosen a multi-millionaire chieftain from Mecca (such as al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah) or Ta'if (such as Urwah ibn Mas'ud).
Transliteration
Ahum yaqsimoona rahmata rabbika nahnu qasamna baynahum maAAeeshatahum fee alhayati alddunya warafaAAna baAAdahum fawqa baAAdin darajatin liyattakhitha baAAduhum baAAdan sukhriyyan warahmatu rabbika khayrun mimma yajmaAAoona
Translation
Is it they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have allocated their livelihood in this life, and We elevated some of them in rank above others, that some of them would take others in service. But your Lord’s mercy is better than what they amass
Refutes aristocratic entitlement: human material wealth does not dictate divine favor. God intentionally distributes diverse talents, financial capacities, and social roles among humans so that society can function collaboratively through mutual interdependence.
Transliteration
Walawla an yakoona alnnasu ommatan wahidatan lajaAAalna liman yakfuru bialrrahmani libuyootihim suqufan min fiddatin wamaAAarija AAalayha yathharoona
Translation
Were it not that humanity would become a single community, We would have provided those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious with roofs of silver to their houses, and stairways by which they ascend
Transliteration
Walibuyootihim abwaban wasururan AAalayha yattakioona
Translation
And doors to their houses, and furnishings on which they recline
Transliteration
Wazukhrufan wain kullu thalika lamma mataAAu alhayati alddunya waalakhiratu AAinda rabbika lilmuttaqeena
Translation
And decorations. Yet all that is nothing but the stuff of this life. Yet the Hereafter, with your Lord, is for the righteous
Explains the title 'Az-Zukhruf' (Ornaments of Gold): worldly luxury is so trivial and worthless in God's estimation that if it were not for the danger of all humanity succumbing to disbelief, God would have made the roofs, staircases, and gates of disbelievers out of solid silver and gold.
Transliteration
Waman yaAAshu AAan thikri alrrahmani nuqayyid lahu shaytanan fahuwa lahu qareenun
Translation
Whoever shuns the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We assign for him a devil, to be his companion
Explains the spiritual psychology of hardening hearts: whoever willfully chooses to ignore the conscious remembrance of God has a devilish companion ('Qarin') attached to them, rationalizing their destructive habits as normal.
Transliteration
Wainnahum layasuddoonahum AAani alssabeeli wayahsaboona annahum muhtadoona
Translation
They hinder them from the path, though they think they are guided
Transliteration
Hatta itha jaana qala ya layta baynee wabaynaka buAAda almashriqayni fabisa alqareenu
Translation
Until, when He comes to Us, he will say, “If only there were between me and you the distance of the two Easts.” What an evil companion
Transliteration
Walan yanfaAAakumu alyawma ith thalamtum annakum fee alAAathabi mushtarikoona
Translation
It will not benefit you on that Day, since you did wrong. You are partners in the suffering
Transliteration
Afaanta tusmiAAu alssumma aw tahdee alAAumya waman kana fee dalalin mubeenin
Translation
Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind, and him who is in evident error
Transliteration
Faimma nathhabanna bika fainna minhum muntaqimoona
Translation
Even if We take you away, We will wreak vengeance upon them
Transliteration
Aw nuriyannaka allathee waAAadnahum fainna AAalayhim muqtadiroona
Translation
Or show you what We have promised them; for We have absolute power over them
Transliteration
Faistamsik biallathee oohiya ilayka innaka AAala siratin mustaqeemin
Translation
So adhere to what is revealed to you. You are upon a straight path
Transliteration
Wainnahu lathikrun laka waliqawmika wasawfa tusaloona
Translation
It is a message for you, and for your people; and you will be questioned
Transliteration
Waisal man arsalna min qablika min rusulina ajaAAalna min dooni alrrahmani alihatan yuAAbadoona
Translation
Ask those of Our messengers We sent before you: “Did We appoint gods besides the Most Gracious to be worshiped?”
Transliteration
Walaqad arsalna moosa biayatina ila firAAawna wamalaihi faqala innee rasoolu rabbi alAAalameena
Translation
We sent Moses with Our revelations to Pharaoh and his dignitaries. He said, “I am the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds.”
Transliteration
Falamma jaahum biayatina itha hum minha yadhakoona
Translation
But when he showed them Our signs, they started laughing at them
Transliteration
Wama nureehim min ayatin illa hiya akbaru min okhtiha waakhathnahum bialAAathabi laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Translation
Each sign We showed them was more marvelous than its counterpart. And We afflicted them with the plagues, so that they may repent
Transliteration
Waqaloo ya ayyuha alsahiru odAAu lana rabbaka bima AAahida AAindaka innana lamuhtadoona
Translation
They said, “O sorcerer, pray to your Lord for us, according to His pledge to you, and then we will be guided.”
Transliteration
Falamma kashafna AAanhumu alAAathaba itha hum yankuthoona
Translation
But when We lifted the torment from them, they immediately broke their promise
Transliteration
Wanada firAAawnu fee qawmihi qala ya qawmi alaysa lee mulku misra wahathihi alanharu tajree min tahtee afala tubsiroona
Translation
Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, “O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see
Transliteration
Am ana khayrun min hatha allathee huwa maheenun wala yakadu yubeenu
Translation
Am I not better than this miserable wretch, who can barely express himself
Transliteration
Falawla olqiya AAalayhi aswiratun min thahabin aw jaa maAAahu almalaikatu muqtarineena
Translation
Why are bracelets of gold not dropped on him, or they angels came with him in procession?”
Transliteration
Faistakhaffa qawmahu faataAAoohu innahum kanoo qawman fasiqeena
Translation
Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. They were wicked people
Transliteration
Falamma asafoona intaqamna minhum faaghraqnahum ajmaAAeena
Translation
And when they provoked Our wrath, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them all
Transliteration
FajaAAalnahum salafan wamathalan lilakhireena
Translation
Thus We made them a precedent and an example for the others
Transliteration
Walamma duriba ibnu maryama mathalan itha qawmuka minhu yasiddoona
Translation
And when the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people opposed
Revealed when the Meccan polemicist Ibn al-Ziba'ra tried to trip up the Prophet ﷺ by arguing that if everything worshiped besides God goes to Hell, then Jesus and the angels must be in Hell too. The Quran clarifies that this is a disingenuous semantic argument.
Transliteration
Waqaloo aalihatuna khayrun am huwa ma daraboohu laka illa jadalan bal hum qawmun khasimoona
Translation
They said, “Are our gods better, or he?” They cited him only for argument. In fact, they are a quarrelsome people
Transliteration
In huwa illa AAabdun anAAamna AAalayhi wajaAAalnahu mathalan libanee israeela
Translation
He was just a servant whom We blessed, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel
Clarifies the true nature of Jesus ('Isa): he is neither divine nor a son of God, but an honored mortal servant upon whom God bestowed prophethood as a miraculous sign for the Children of Israel.
Transliteration
Walaw nashao lajaAAalna minkum malaikatan fee alardi yakhlufoona
Translation
Had We willed, We would have made of you angels to be successors on earth
Transliteration
Wainnahu laAAilmun lilssaAAati fala tamtarunna biha waittabiAAooni hatha siratun mustaqeemun
Translation
He is a portent of the Hour, so have no doubt about it, and follow Me. This is a straight way
Refers to the prophesied Second Coming of Prophet Jesus ('Isa) near the end of time, which will serve as an undeniable herald and major sign of the approaching Day of Judgment.
Transliteration
Wala yasuddannakumu alshshaytanu innahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun
Translation
And let not Satan divert you. He is an open enemy to you
Transliteration
Walamma jaa AAeesa bialbayyinati qala qad jitukum bialhikmati waliobayyina lakum baAAda allathee takhtalifoona feehi faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
Translation
When Jesus came with the clarifications, he said, “I have come to you with wisdom, and to clarify for you some of what you differ about. So fear God, and obey me
Transliteration
Inna Allaha huwa rabbee warabbukum faoAAbudoohu hatha siratun mustaqeemun
Translation
God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him—this is a straight path.”
Transliteration
Faikhtalafa alahzabu min baynihim fawaylun lillatheena thalamoo min AAathabi yawmin aleemin
Translation
But the factions differed among themselves. So woe to the wrongdoers from the suffering of a painful Day
Transliteration
Hal yanthuroona illa alssaAAata an tatiyahum baghtatan wahum la yashAAuroona
Translation
Are they only waiting for the Hour to come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware
Transliteration
Alakhillao yawmaithin baAAduhum libaAAdin AAaduwwun illa almuttaqeena
Translation
On that Day, friends will be enemies of one another, except for the righteous
Transliteration
Ya AAibadi la khawfun AAalaykumu alyawma wala antum tahzanoona
Translation
O My servants, you have nothing to fear on that Day, nor will you grieve
Transliteration
Allatheena amanoo biayatina wakanoo muslimeena
Translation
Those who believed in Our revelations, and were submissive
Transliteration
Odkhuloo aljannata antum waazwajukum tuhbaroona
Translation
Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, Joyfully
Transliteration
Yutafu AAalayhim bisihafin min thahabin waakwabin wafeeha ma tashtaheehi alanfusu watalaththu alaAAyunu waantum feeha khalidoona
Translation
They will be served around with trays of gold, and cups. Therein is whatever the souls desire and delights the eyes. Therein you will stay forever
Transliteration
Watilka aljannatu allatee oorithtumooha bima kuntum taAAmaloona
Translation
Such is the Garden you are made to inherit, because of what you used to do
Transliteration
Lakum feeha fakihatun katheeratun minha takuloona
Translation
Therein you will have abundant fruit, from which you eat
Transliteration
Inna almujrimeena fee AAathabi jahannama khalidoona
Translation
As for the sinners, they will be in the torment of Hell forever
Transliteration
La yufattaru AAanhum wahum feehi mublisoona
Translation
It will never be eased for them. In it, they will be devastated
Transliteration
Wama thalamnahum walakin kanoo humu alththalimeena
Translation
We did them no injustice, but it was they who were the unjust
Transliteration
Wanadaw ya maliku liyaqdi AAalayna rabbuka qala innakum makithoona
Translation
And they will cry, “O Malek, let your Lord finish us off.” He will say, “You are staying.”
Depicts the hopeless anguish of those in Hellfire calling out to 'Malik' (the Chief Angelic Guardian of Hell), begging for annihilation to end their suffering, to which Malik sternly replies that they are to remain.
Transliteration
Laqad jinakum bialhaqqi walakinna aktharakum lilhaqqi karihoona
Translation
We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth
Transliteration
Am abramoo amran fainna mubrimoona
Translation
Have they contrived some scheme? We too are contriving
Transliteration
Am yahsaboona anna la nasmaAAu sirrahum wanajwahum bala warusuluna ladayhim yaktuboona
Translation
Or do they think that We cannot hear their secrets and their conspiracies? Yes indeed, Our messengers are by them, writing down
Transliteration
Qul in kana lilrrahmani waladun faana awwalu alAAabideena
Translation
Say, “If the Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship.”
Transliteration
Subhana rabbi alssamawati waalardi rabbi alAAarshi AAamma yasifoona
Translation
Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, beyond what they describe
Transliteration
Fatharhum yakhoodoo wayalAAaboo hatta yulaqoo yawmahumu allathee yooAAadoona
Translation
So leave them to blunder and play, until they encounter their Day which they are promised
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee fee alssamai ilahun wafee alardi ilahun wahuwa alhakeemu alAAaleemu
Translation
It is He who is God in heaven, and God on earth. He is the Wise, the Knower
Transliteration
Watabaraka allathee lahu mulku alssamawati waalardi wama baynahuma waAAindahu AAilmu alssaAAati wailayhi turjaAAoona
Translation
And blessed is He Who has sovereignty over the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He alone has knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you will be returned
Transliteration
Wala yamliku allatheena yadAAoona min doonihi alshshafaAAata illa man shahida bialhaqqi wahum yaAAlamoona
Translation
Those they invoke besides Him are incapable of intercession; only those who testify to the truth and have knowledge
Transliteration
Walain saaltahum man khalaqahum layaqoolunna Allahu faanna yufakoona
Translation
And if you asked them, “Who created them?”, they would say, “God.” Why then do they deviate
Transliteration
Waqeelihi yarabbi inna haolai qawmun la yuminoona
Translation
As for his statement: “My Lord, these are a people who do not believe.”
Transliteration
Faisfah AAanhum waqul salamun fasawfa yaAAlamoona
Translation
Pardon them, and say, “Peace.” They will come to know