Surah 44 · Meccan · 59 Verses
الدخان
SURAH AD-DUKHAN
The Smoke
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
By the clear Book,
أَمْرًۭا مِّنْ عِندِنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
[Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]
رَحْمَةًۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing,
رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them, if you would be certain.
لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّۢ يَلْعَبُونَ
But they are in doubt, amusing themselves.
فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke
يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ ۖ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
Covering the people; this is a painful torment.
رَّبَّنَا ٱكْشِفْ عَنَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ
[They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers."
أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ مُعَلَّمٌۭ مَّجْنُونٌ
Then they turned away from him and said, "[He was] taught [and is] a madman."
إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ
Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].
يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ
The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution.
۞ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۭ كَرِيمٌ
And We had already tried before them the people of Pharaoh, and there came to them a noble messenger [i.e., Moses],
وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَٰنٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
And [saying], "Be not haughty with Allāh. Indeed, I have come to you with clear evidence.
وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ
But if you do not believe me, then leave me alone."
فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌۭ مُّجْرِمُونَ
And [finally] he called to his Lord that these were a criminal people.
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ
[Allāh said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued.
كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
How much they left behind of gardens and springs
وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَمَقَامٍۢ كَرِيمٍۢ
And crops and noble sites
وَنَعْمَةٍۢ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَٰكِهِينَ
And comfort wherein they were amused.
كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people.
فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ
And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved.
وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ
And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment -
مِن فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors.
وَلَقَدِ ٱخْتَرْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
And We certainly chose them by knowledge over [all] the worlds.
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٌۭا۟ مُّبِينٌ
And We gave them of signs that in which there was a clear trial.
إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَيَقُولُونَ
Indeed, these [disbelievers] are saying,
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا مَوْتَتُنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ
"There is not but our first death, and we will not be resurrected.
فَأْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
Then bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful."
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ
And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play.
مَا خَلَقْنَٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know.
إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all -
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Except those [believers] on whom Allāh has mercy. Indeed, He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ
Indeed, the tree of zaqqūm
طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ
Is food for the sinful.
كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ
Like murky oil, it boils within bellies
كَغَلْىِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ
Like the boiling of scalding water.
خُذُوهُ فَٱعْتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
[It will be commanded], "Seize him and drag him into the midst of the Hellfire,
ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ
Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."
إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ
Indeed, this is what you used to dispute."
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍۢ
Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place:
فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
Within gardens and springs,
يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍۢ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍۢ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ
Wearing [garments of] fine silk and brocade, facing each other.
كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍۢ
Thus. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes.
يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ
They will call therein for every [kind of] fruit - safe and secure.
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will have protected them from the punishment of Hellfire
فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
As bounty from your Lord. That is what is the great attainment.
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And indeed, We have eased it [i.e., the Qur’ān] in your tongue that they might be reminded.
فَٱرْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ
So watch, [O Muḥammad]; indeed, they are watching [for your end].
About This Surah
Surah Ad-Dukhan describes the Quran being sent down on a blessed night, warns of a smoke and recounts the rescue of the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. It contrasts creation with purpose against the assumption that life is play and closes with scenes of accountability and reassurance for the mindful.
The opening speaks of the clear Book and a blessed night in which matters are determined by divine command. Interpretive traditions connect this passage with the Night of Decree, but this page distinguishes direct wording from explanatory tradition and sources any claim about exact recitation practice.
A warning of smoke follows. Classical interpretations have discussed whether it refers to a historical famine/sign experienced by opponents, a future sign or related meanings. VerseSurah does not present one debated interpretation as undisputed or use the passage to predict a current event.
The surah briefly recounts Moses asking that the servants of God be released. Pharaoh’s people are described through arrogance, luxury and pursuit, then the gardens and resources they leave behind are noted.
The Children of Israel receive knowledge and signs, but the chapter’s first audience still challenges resurrection. The response points to earlier destruction and to creation not being made in play.
Judgment scenes distinguish the tree of Zaqqum and punishment from the security and gardens of the mindful. These are unseen claims and should be presented without sensational imagery.
The Quran is described as made easy in the messenger’s language so that people may remember. The closing tells him to wait while opponents also wait.
The Quran describes revelation on a blessed night, but this overview does not identify that night with the middle of Sha‘ban or attach special rituals without separate exact evidence.
The smoke passage has generated interpretive discussion; it must not be confidently mapped onto current pollution, war, technology, or an announced date.
Core Themes
- Revelation is connected with mercy and warning.
- Political luxury cannot prevent collapse.
- Creation has purpose.
- Resurrection answers moral imbalance.
- Unseen signs require humility.
- Accessible language creates responsibility.
Structure
Verses 1-16: Blessed night, mercy and smoke — 1-16
This movement covers blessed night, mercy and smoke in Surah Ad-Dukhan. Read verses 1-16 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.
Verses 17-33: Moses, Pharaoh and rescue — 17-33
This movement covers moses, pharaoh and rescue in Surah Ad-Dukhan. Read verses 17-33 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.
Verses 34-42: Resurrection and purposeful creation — 34-42
This movement covers resurrection and purposeful creation in Surah Ad-Dukhan. Read verses 34-42 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.
Verses 43-57: Punishment and security — 43-57
This movement covers punishment and security in Surah Ad-Dukhan. Read verses 43-57 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.
Verses 58-59: Accessible revelation and waiting — 58-59
This movement covers accessible revelation and waiting in Surah Ad-Dukhan. Read verses 58-59 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.
Reading Guide
Reading step 1
Distinguish Quranic wording from later devotional practice. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.
Reading step 2
Present competing smoke interpretations fairly. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.
Reading step 3
Do not map Pharaoh’s fall onto every current political event. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.
Reading step 4
Avoid graphic sensationalism in judgment passages. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.
Key Passages
Clear Book and blessed night — 1-6
This passage addresses clear Book and blessed night. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Smoke warning — 10-16
This passage addresses smoke warning. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Moses and Pharaoh — 17-29
This passage addresses Moses and Pharaoh. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Resurrection and purpose — 34-42
This passage addresses resurrection and purpose. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Contrasting outcomes — 43-57
This passage addresses contrasting outcomes. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Quran made accessible in language — 58-59
This passage addresses Quran made accessible in language. Read the cited verses in their immediate sequence and alongside the surah’s wider argument; the description does not become a stand-alone legal ruling, diagnosis, prediction, private enforcement power, or guaranteed worldly result.
Recitation Note
No exclusive time, fixed repetition count, or guaranteed worldly outcome is asserted here for reciting Surah Ad-Dukhan. Reading it is worship and study; any claim about protection, healing, provision, marriage, political success, or a prescribed number requires separate exact evidence and carefully limited wording.
Interpretation Limits
- The smoke cannot be confidently identified with a modern event without evidence.
- Exact Night of Decree practice requires separate source verification.
- Unseen punishment descriptions should not be illustrated beyond the text.
- The chapter does not provide a date for end-time signs.
- Political analogies should remain cautious and non-incendiary.
- The blessed night must not be identified with 15 Sha‘ban or a specific ritual without separate exact evidence.
- The smoke must not be confidently mapped onto current events, technologies, disasters, or dates.
- Judgment scenes should not become fear marketing, entertainment, or declarations against named people.