Revealed in the late Makkan period, Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) serves as a final warning to the Quraysh by referencing the tragic fate of the nation of 'Ad, who lived in the wind-curved sandhills and rejected Prophet Hud. It emphasizes the duties of children toward their parents, detailing the journey of a righteous child who reaches maturity and prays for his parents. The chapter also narrates a remarkable encounter where a group of jinn listened to the recitation of the Quran, believed in it immediately, and returned to their people as warners, highlighting the universal nature of the message.
Transliteration
Hameem
Translation
Ha, Meem
These two disjointed letters ('Ha-Mim') are Huruf Muqatta'at, whose true divine meaning rests with Allah alone. This concludes the celebrated series of seven Hawamim chapters.
Transliteration
Tanzeelu alkitabi mina Allahi alAAazeezi alhakeemi
Translation
The sending down of the Scripture is from God, the Honorable, the Wise
Transliteration
Ma khalaqna alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi waajalin musamman waallatheena kafaroo AAamma onthiroo muAAridoona
Translation
We did not create the heavens and the earth and what lies between them except with reason, and for a finite period. But the blasphemers continue to ignore the warnings they receive
Transliteration
Qul araaytum ma tadAAoona min dooni Allahi aroonee matha khalaqoo mina alardi am lahum shirkun fee alssamawati eetoonee bikitabin min qabli hatha aw atharatin min AAilmin in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
Say, “Have you considered those you worship instead of God? Show me which portion of the earth they have created. Or do they own a share of the heavens? Bring me a scripture prior to this one, or some trace of knowledge, if you are truthful.”
Transliteration
Waman adallu mimman yadAAoo min dooni Allahi man la yastajeebu lahu ila yawmi alqiyamati wahum AAan duAAaihim ghafiloona
Translation
Who is more wrong than him who invokes, besides God, those who will not answer him until the Day of Resurrection, and are heedless of their prayers
Transliteration
Waitha hushira alnnasu kanoo lahum aAAdaan wakanoo biAAibadatihim kafireena
Translation
And when humanity is gathered, they will be enemies to them, and will renounce their worship of them
Transliteration
Waitha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna bayyinatin qala allatheena kafaroo lilhaqqi lamma jaahum hatha sihrun mubeenun
Translation
When Our revelations are recited to them, plain and clear, those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them, “This is obviously magic.”
Transliteration
Am yaqooloona iftarahu qul ini iftaraytuhu fala tamlikoona lee mina Allahi shayan huwa aAAlamu bima tufeedoona feehi kafa bihi shaheedan baynee wabaynakum wahuwa alghafooru alrraheemu
Translation
Or do they say, “He invented it himself”? Say, “If I invented it myself, there is nothing you can do to protect me from God. He knows well what you are engaged in. He is sufficient witness between me and you. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.”
Transliteration
Qul ma kuntu bidAAan mina alrrusuli wama adree ma yufAAalu bee wala bikum in attabiAAu illa ma yooha ilayya wama ana illa natheerun mubeenun
Translation
Say, “I am not different from the other messengers; and I do not know what will be done with me, or with you. I only follow what is inspired in me, and I am only a clear warner.”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clarifies his historical mission: he is not bringing an unprecedented, strange novelty ('Bid'ah') to mankind, but is walking the same path of ethical monotheism walked by earlier messengers like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Transliteration
Qul araaytum in kana min AAindi Allahi wakafartum bihi washahida shahidun min banee israeela AAala mithlihi faamana waistakbartum inna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Translation
Say, “Have you considered? What if it is from God and you disbelieve in it? A witness from the Children of Israel testified to its like, and has believed, while you turned arrogant. God does not guide the unjust people.”
Points to scholarly confirmation: refers to righteous Jewish scholars (such as Abdullah ibn Salam, the chief rabbi of Medina) who recognized the descriptions and prophecies of the Prophet in the Torah and immediately embraced Islam without arrogant pride.
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo lillatheena amanoo law kana khayran ma sabaqoona ilayhi waith lam yahtadoo bihi fasayaqooloona hatha ifkun qadeemun
Translation
Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “If it were anything good, they would not have preceded us to it.” And since they were not guided by it, they will say, “This is an ancient lie.”
Transliteration
Wamin qablihi kitabu moosa imaman warahmatan wahatha kitabun musaddiqun lisanan AAarabiyyan liyunthira allatheena thalamoo wabushra lilmuhsineena
Translation
And before it was the Book of Moses, a model and a mercy. And this is a confirming Book, in the Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong—and good news for the doers of good
Transliteration
Inna allatheena qaloo rabbuna Allahu thumma istaqamoo fala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
Translation
Those who say, “Our Lord is God,” then lead a righteous life—they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve
Transliteration
Olaika ashabu aljannati khalideena feeha jazaan bima kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
These are the inhabitants of Paradise, where they will dwell forever—a reward for what they used to do
Transliteration
Wawassayna alinsana biwalidayhi ihsanan hamalathu ommuhu kurhan wawadaAAathu kurhan wahamluhu wafisaluhu thalathoona shahran hatta itha balagha ashuddahu wabalagha arbaAAeena sanatan qala rabbi awziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAala walidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahu waaslih lee fee thurriyyatee innee tubtu ilayka wainnee mina almuslimeena
Translation
We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. His mother carried him with difficulty, and delivered him with difficulty. His bearing and weaning takes thirty months. Until, when he has attained his maturity, and has reached forty years, he says, “Lord, enable me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to act with righteousness, pleasing You. And improve my children for me. I have sincerely repented to You, and I am of those who have surrendered.”
Highlights the milestone age of forty: the threshold of emotional and intellectual maturity where a person is urged to pray deeply for their parents and future offspring. Medically and legally, combining thirty months of pregnancy and breastfeeding with the two-year weaning rule (24 months) established the Islamic legal minimum viable pregnancy as six months.
Transliteration
Olaika allatheena nataqabbalu AAanhum ahsana ma AAamiloo wanatajawazu AAan sayyiatihim fee ashabi aljannati waAAda alssidqi allathee kanoo yooAAadoona
Translation
Those are they from whom We accept the best of their deeds, and We overlook their misdeeds, among the dwellers of Paradise—the promise of truth which they are promised
Transliteration
Waallathee qala liwalidayhi offin lakuma ataAAidaninee an okhraja waqad khalati alquroonu min qablee wahuma yastagheethani Allaha waylaka amin inna waAAda Allahi haqqun fayaqoolu ma hatha illa asateeru alawwaleena
Translation
As for him who says to his parents, “Enough of you! Are you promising me that I will be raised up, when generations have passed away before me?” While they cry for God’s help, “Woe to you! Believe! The promise of God is true!” But he says, “These are nothing but tales of the ancients.”
Contrasts the righteous child with the disrespectful cynic: depicts an ungrateful child who scoffs at his elderly parents with contempt ('Uff!'), mocking the concept of resurrection while his heartbroken parents pray for his guidance.
Transliteration
Olaika allatheena haqqa AAalayhimu alqawlu fee umamin qad khalat min qablihim mina aljinni waalinsi innahum kanoo khasireena
Translation
Those are they upon whom the sentence is justified, among the communities that have passed away before them, of jinn and humans. They are truly losers
Transliteration
Walikullin darajatun mimma AAamiloo waliyuwaffiyahum aAAmalahum wahum la yuthlamoona
Translation
There are degrees for everyone, according to what they have done, and He will repay them for their works in full, and they will not be wronged
Transliteration
Wayawma yuAAradu allatheena kafaroo AAala alnnari athhabtum tayyibatikum fee hayatikumu alddunya waistamtaAAtum biha faalyawma tujzawna AAathaba alhooni bima kuntum tastakbiroona fee alardi bighayri alhaqqi wabima kuntum tafsuqoona
Translation
On the Day when the faithless will be paraded before the Fire: “You have squandered your good in your worldly life, and you took pleasure in them. So today you are being repaid with the torment of shame, because of your unjust arrogance on earth, and because you used to sin.”
Transliteration
Waothkur akha AAadin ith anthara qawmahu bialahqafi waqad khalati alnnuthuru min bayni yadayhi wamin khalfihi alla taAAbudoo illa Allaha innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin AAatheemin
Translation
And mention the brother of Aad, as he warned his people at the dunes. Warnings have passed away before him, and after him: “Worship none but God; I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.”
Transliteration
Qaloo ajitana litafikana AAan alihatina fatina bima taAAiduna in kunta mina alssadiqeena
Translation
They said, “Did you come to us to divert us from our gods? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are being truthful.”
Transliteration
Qala innama alAAilmu AAinda Allahi waoballighukum ma orsiltu bihi walakinnee arakum qawman tajhaloona
Translation
He said, “The knowledge is only with God, and I inform you of what I was sent with; but I see you are an ignorant people.”
Transliteration
Falamma raawhu AAaridan mustaqbila awdiyatihim qaloo hatha AAaridun mumtiruna bal huwa ma istaAAjaltum bihi reehun feeha AAathabun aleemun
Translation
Then, when they saw a cloud approaching their valley, they said, “This is a cloud that will bring us rain.” “In fact, it is what you were impatient for: a wind in which is grievous suffering.”
Recalls the ancient people of 'Ad in the wind-swept sand dunes of southern Arabia ('Al-Ahqaf'): after years of drought, they saw a massive dark cloud approaching their valleys and danced in celebration expecting rain, unaware it was a furious, freezing hurricane sent to destroy their civilization.
Transliteration
Tudammiru kulla shayin biamri rabbiha faasbahoo la yura illa masakinuhum kathalika najzee alqawma almujrimeena
Translation
It will destroy everything by the command of its Lord. And when the morning came upon them, there was nothing to be seen except their dwellings. Thus We requite the guilty people
Transliteration
Walaqad makkannahum feema in makkannakum feehi wajaAAalna lahum samAAan waabsaran waafidatan fama aghna AAanhum samAAuhum wala absaruhum wala afidatuhum min shayin ith kanoo yajhadoona biayati Allahi wahaqa bihim ma kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
We had empowered them in the same way as We empowered you; and We gave them the hearing, and the sight, and the minds. But neither their hearing, nor their sight, nor their minds availed them in any way. That is because they disregarded the revelations of God; and so they became surrounded by what they used to ridicule
Transliteration
Walaqad ahlakna ma hawlakum mina alqura wasarrafna alayati laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Translation
We have destroyed many townships around you, and diversified the signs, so that they may return
Transliteration
Falawla nasarahumu allatheena ittakhathoo min dooni Allahi qurbanan alihatan bal dalloo AAanhum wathalika ifkuhum wama kanoo yaftaroona
Translation
Why then did the idols, whom they worshiped as means of nearness to God, not help them? In fact, they abandoned them. It was their lie, a fabrication of their own making
Transliteration
Waith sarafna ilayka nafaran mina aljinni yastamiAAoona alqurana falamma hadaroohu qaloo ansitoo falamma qudiya wallaw ila qawmihim munthireena
Translation
Recall when We dispatched towards you a number of jinn, to listen to the Quran. When they came in its presence, they said, “Pay attention!” Then, when it was concluded, they rushed to their people, warning them
Revealed following the Prophet's painful ordeal at Ta'if, where he was pelted with stones and driven out. Stopping at Nakhlah to pray dawn prayers, a delegation of Jinn overheard his recitation, listened in stunned silence, embraced faith, and returned to their realm as active preachers of monotheism.
Transliteration
Qaloo ya qawmana inna samiAAna kitaban onzila min baAAdi moosa musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi yahdee ila alhaqqi waila tareeqin mustaqeemin
Translation
They said, “O our people, we have heard a Scripture, sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth, and to a straight path
Transliteration
Ya qawmana ajeeboo daAAiya Allahi waaminoo bihi yaghfir lakum min thunoobikum wayujirkum min AAathabin aleemin
Translation
O our people! Answer the caller to God, and believe in Him; and He will forgive you your sins, and will save you from a painful punishment.”
Transliteration
Waman la yujib daAAiya Allahi falaysa bimuAAjizin fee alardi walaysa lahu min doonihi awliyaa olaika fee dalalin mubeenin
Translation
He who does not answer the caller to God will not escape on earth, and has no protectors besides Him. Those are in obvious error
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw anna Allaha allathee khalaqa alssamawati waalarda walam yaAAya bikhalqihinna biqadirin AAala an yuhyiya almawta bala innahu AAala kulli shayin qadeerun
Translation
Do they not realize that God, who created the heavens and the earth, and was never tired by creating them, is Able to revive the dead? Yes indeed; He is Capable of everything
Transliteration
Wayawma yuAAradu allatheena kafaroo AAala alnnari alaysa hatha bialhaqqi qaloo bala warabbina qala fathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum takfuroona
Translation
On the Day when those who disbelieved are presented to the Fire: “Is this not real?” They will say, “Yes, indeed, by our Lord.” He will say, “Then taste the suffering for having disbelieved.”
Transliteration
Faisbir kama sabara oloo alAAazmi mina alrrusuli wala tastaAAjil lahum kaannahum yawma yarawna ma yooAAadoona lam yalbathoo illa saAAatan min naharin balaghun fahal yuhlaku illa alqawmu alfasiqoona
Translation
So be patient, as the messengers with resolve were patient, and do not be hasty regarding them. On the Day when they witness what they are promised, it will seem as if they had lasted only for an hour of a day. A proclamation: Will any be destroyed except the sinful people
The concluding command of resilience: God commands the Prophet ﷺ to persevere with the resolute fortitude displayed by the greatest messengers of strong resolve ('Ulu al-'Azm')—traditionally identified as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad ﷺ.