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Surah 57 · Medinan · 29 Verses

الحديد

SURAH AL-HADID

The Iron

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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

1

سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Whatever is in the heavens and earth exalts Allāh,1622 and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

  1. [1622] By praising Him and declaring Him far above and beyond any failure or imperfection.

Word by Word
سَبَّحَGlorifiessabbaḥa
لِلَّهِ[to] Allahlillahi
مَاwhatever
فِى(is) in
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِthe heavensl-samāwāti
وَٱلْأَرْضِand the earthwal-arḍi
وَهُوَand Hewahuwa
ٱلْعَزِيزُ(is) the All-Mightyl-ʿazīzu
ٱلْحَكِيمُthe All-Wisel-ḥakīmu
2

لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ

His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent.

Word by Word
لَهُۥFor Himlahu
مُلْكُ(is the) dominionmul'ku
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ(of) the heavensl-samāwāti
وَٱلْأَرْضِand the earthwal-arḍi
يُحْىِۦHe gives lifeyuḥ'yī
وَيُمِيتُand causes deathwayumītu
وَهُوَand Hewahuwa
عَلَىٰ(is) overʿalā
كُلِّallkulli
شَىْءٍۢthingsshayin
قَدِيرٌAll-Powerfulqadīrun
3

هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْءَاخِرُ وَٱلظَّٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

He is the First1623 and the Last,1624 the Ascendant1625 and the Intimate,1626 and He is, of all things, Knowing.

  1. [1623] Before whom nothing existed. Also, He who is supreme, foremost or uppermost.
  2. [1624] Enduring eternally when nothing else remains.
  3. [1625] Nothing being above Him. Another meaning is "the Apparent," i.e., evident through His creation and revelation.
  4. [1626] Nothing being nearer than Him by way of His knowledge. Another meaning is "the Unapparent," i.e., concealed from man's physical senses.

Word by Word
هُوَHehuwa
ٱلْأَوَّلُ(is) the Firstl-awalu
وَٱلْءَاخِرُand the Lastwal-ākhiru
وَٱلظَّٰهِرُand the Apparentwal-ẓāhiru
وَٱلْبَاطِنُand the Unapparentwal-bāṭinu
وَهُوَand Hewahuwa
بِكُلِّ(is) of everybikulli
شَىْءٍthingshayin
عَلِيمٌAll-Knowerʿalīmun
4

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا ۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌۭ

It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne.1627 He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein; and He is with you1628 wherever you are. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.

  1. [1627] See footnotes to 2:19 and 7:54.
  2. [1628] In knowledge - observing and witnessing.

Word by Word
هُوَHehuwa
ٱلَّذِى(is) the One Whoalladhī
خَلَقَcreatedkhalaqa
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِthe heavensl-samāwāti
وَٱلْأَرْضَand the earthwal-arḍa
فِىin
سِتَّةِsixsittati
أَيَّامٍۢperiodsayyāmin
ثُمَّthenthumma
ٱسْتَوَىٰHe roseis'tawā
عَلَىoverʿalā
ٱلْعَرْشِthe Thronel-ʿarshi
يَعْلَمُHe knowsyaʿlamu
مَاwhat
يَلِجُpenetratesyaliju
فِىin (to)
ٱلْأَرْضِthe earthl-arḍi
وَمَاand whatwamā
يَخْرُجُcomes forthyakhruju
مِنْهَاfrom itmin'hā
وَمَاand whatwamā
يَنزِلُdescendsyanzilu
مِنَfrommina
ٱلسَّمَآءِthe heavenl-samāi
وَمَاand whatwamā
يَعْرُجُascendsyaʿruju
فِيهَاthereinfīhā
وَهُوَand Hewahuwa
مَعَكُمْ(is) with youmaʿakum
أَيْنَwhereverayna
مَاwherever
كُنتُمْyou arekuntum
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
بِمَاof whatbimā
تَعْمَلُونَyou dotaʿmalūna
بَصِيرٌۭ(is) All-seerbaṣīrun
5

لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ

His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.

Word by Word
لَّهُۥFor Himlahu
مُلْكُ(is the) dominionmul'ku
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ(of) the heavensl-samāwāti
وَٱلْأَرْضِand the earthwal-arḍi
وَإِلَىand towa-ilā
ٱللَّهِAllahl-lahi
تُرْجَعُwill be returnedtur'jaʿu
ٱلْأُمُورُthe mattersl-umūru
6

يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

Word by Word
يُولِجُHe mergesyūliju
ٱلَّيْلَthe nightal-layla
فِىinto
ٱلنَّهَارِthe dayl-nahāri
وَيُولِجُand He mergeswayūliju
ٱلنَّهَارَthe dayl-nahāra
فِىinto
ٱلَّيْلِthe nightal-layli
وَهُوَand Hewahuwa
عَلِيمٌۢ(is) All-Knowerʿalīmun
بِذَاتِof what is in the breastsbidhāti
ٱلصُّدُورِof what is in the breastsl-ṣudūri
7

ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ

Believe in Allāh and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successive inheritors. For those who have believed among you and spent,1629 there will be a great reward.

  1. [1629] In ways pleasing to Allāh.

Word by Word
ءَامِنُوا۟Believeāminū
بِٱللَّهِin Allahbil-lahi
وَرَسُولِهِۦand His Messengerwarasūlihi
وَأَنفِقُوا۟and spendwa-anfiqū
مِمَّاof whatmimmā
جَعَلَكُمHe has made youjaʿalakum
مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَtrusteesmus'takhlafīna
فِيهِthereinfīhi
فَٱلَّذِينَAnd thosefa-alladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟who believeāmanū
مِنكُمْamong youminkum
وَأَنفَقُوا۟and spendwa-anfaqū
لَهُمْfor themlahum
أَجْرٌۭ(is) a rewardajrun
كَبِيرٌۭgreatkabīrun
8

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ ۙ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ مِيثَٰقَكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

And why do you not believe in Allāh while the Messenger invites you to believe in your Lord and He has taken your covenant, if you should [truly] be believers?

Word by Word
وَمَاAnd whatwamā
لَكُمْ(is) for youlakum
لَا(that) not
تُؤْمِنُونَyou believetu'minūna
بِٱللَّهِin Allahbil-lahi
وَٱلرَّسُولُwhile the Messengerwal-rasūlu
يَدْعُوكُمْcalls youyadʿūkum
لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟that you believelitu'minū
بِرَبِّكُمْin your Lordbirabbikum
وَقَدْand indeedwaqad
أَخَذَHe has takenakhadha
مِيثَٰقَكُمْyour covenantmīthāqakum
إِنifin
كُنتُمyou arekuntum
مُّؤْمِنِينَbelieversmu'minīna
9

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦٓ ءَايَٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَٰتٍۢ لِّيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

It is He who sends down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] verses of clear evidence that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light. And indeed, Allāh is to you Kind and Merciful.

Word by Word
هُوَHehuwa
ٱلَّذِى(is) the One Whoalladhī
يُنَزِّلُsends downyunazzilu
عَلَىٰuponʿalā
عَبْدِهِۦٓHis slaveʿabdihi
ءَايَٰتٍۭVersesāyātin
بَيِّنَٰتٍۢclearbayyinātin
لِّيُخْرِجَكُمthat He may bring you outliyukh'rijakum
مِّنَfrommina
ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِthe darkness [es]l-ẓulumāti
إِلَىintoilā
ٱلنُّورِthe lightl-nūri
وَإِنَّAnd indeedwa-inna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
بِكُمْto youbikum
لَرَءُوفٌۭ(is the) Most Kindlaraūfun
رَّحِيمٌۭ(the) Most Mercifulraḥīmun
10

وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا يَسْتَوِى مِنكُم مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِن قَبْلِ ٱلْفَتْحِ وَقَٰتَلَ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَقَٰتَلُوا۟ ۚ وَكُلًّۭا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ

And why do you not spend in the cause of Allāh while to Allāh belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than they who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allāh has promised the best [reward]. And Allāh, of what you do, is Aware.

Word by Word
وَمَاAnd whatwamā
لَكُمْ(is) for youlakum
أَلَّاthat notallā
تُنفِقُوا۟you spendtunfiqū
فِىin
سَبِيلِ(the) waysabīli
ٱللَّهِ(of) Allahl-lahi
وَلِلَّهِwhile for Allahwalillahi
مِيرَٰثُ(is the) heritagemīrāthu
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ(of) the heavensl-samāwāti
وَٱلْأَرْضِand the earthwal-arḍi
لَاNot
يَسْتَوِىare equalyastawī
مِنكُمamong youminkum
مَّنْ(those) whoman
أَنفَقَspentanfaqa
مِنbeforemin
قَبْلِbeforeqabli
ٱلْفَتْحِthe victoryl-fatḥi
وَقَٰتَلَand foughtwaqātala
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَThoseulāika
أَعْظَمُ(are) greateraʿẓamu
دَرَجَةًۭ(in) degreedarajatan
مِّنَthanmina
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
أَنفَقُوا۟spentanfaqū
مِنۢafterwardsmin
بَعْدُafterwardsbaʿdu
وَقَٰتَلُوا۟and foughtwaqātalū
وَكُلًّۭاBut to allwakullan
وَعَدَAllah has promisedwaʿada
ٱللَّهُAllah has promisedl-lahu
ٱلْحُسْنَىٰthe bestl-ḥus'nā
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
بِمَاof whatbimā
تَعْمَلُونَyou dotaʿmalūna
خَبِيرٌۭ(is) All-Awarekhabīrun
11

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥ وَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

Who is it that would loan Allāh a goodly loan so He will multiply it for him and he will have a noble reward?

Word by Word
مَّنWho (is)man
ذَاthe one whodhā
ٱلَّذِىthe one whoalladhī
يُقْرِضُwill loanyuq'riḍu
ٱللَّهَ(to) Allahl-laha
قَرْضًاa loanqarḍan
حَسَنًۭاgoodlyḥasanan
فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥso He will multiply itfayuḍāʿifahu
لَهُۥfor himlahu
وَلَهُۥٓand for himwalahu
أَجْرٌۭ(is) a rewardajrun
كَرِيمٌۭnoblekarīmun
12

يَوْمَ تَرَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَسْعَىٰ نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَٰنِهِم بُشْرَىٰكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ جَنَّٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], "Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment.

Word by Word
يَوْمَ(On the) Dayyawma
تَرَىyou will seetarā
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَthe believing menl-mu'minīna
وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِand the believing womenwal-mu'mināti
يَسْعَىٰrunningyasʿā
نُورُهُمtheir lightnūruhum
بَيْنَbefore thembayna
أَيْدِيهِمْbefore themaydīhim
وَبِأَيْمَٰنِهِمand on their rightwabi-aymānihim
بُشْرَىٰكُمُGlad tidings for youbush'rākumu
ٱلْيَوْمَthis Dayl-yawma
جَنَّٰتٌۭgardensjannātun
تَجْرِىflowingtajrī
مِنfrommin
تَحْتِهَاunderneath ittaḥtihā
ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُthe riversl-anhāru
خَٰلِدِينَabiding foreverkhālidīna
فِيهَاthereinfīhā
ذَٰلِكَThatdhālika
هُوَ[it] (is)huwa
ٱلْفَوْزُthe successl-fawzu
ٱلْعَظِيمُthe greatl-ʿaẓīmu
13

يَوْمَ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتُ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱنظُرُونَا نَقْتَبِسْ مِن نُّورِكُمْ قِيلَ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ وَرَآءَكُمْ فَٱلْتَمِسُوا۟ نُورًۭا فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍۢ لَّهُۥ بَابٌۢ بَاطِنُهُۥ فِيهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةُ وَظَٰهِرُهُۥ مِن قِبَلِهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ

On the [same] Day the hypocrite men and hypocrite women will say to those who believed, "Wait for us that we may acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you1630 and seek light." And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment.

  1. [1630] To where light was acquired, i.e., in the worldly life.

Word by Word
يَوْمَ(On the) Dayyawma
يَقُولُwill sayyaqūlu
ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَthe hypocrite menl-munāfiqūna
وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتُand the hypocrite womenwal-munāfiqātu
لِلَّذِينَto those wholilladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟believedāmanū
ٱنظُرُونَاWait for usunẓurūnā
نَقْتَبِسْwe may acquirenaqtabis
مِنofmin
نُّورِكُمْyour lightnūrikum
قِيلَIt will be saidqīla
ٱرْجِعُوا۟Go backir'jiʿū
وَرَآءَكُمْbehind youwarāakum
فَٱلْتَمِسُوا۟and seekfal-tamisū
نُورًۭاlightnūran
فَضُرِبَThen will be put upfaḍuriba
بَيْنَهُمbetween thembaynahum
بِسُورٍۢa wallbisūrin
لَّهُۥfor itlahu
بَابٌۢa gatebābun
بَاطِنُهُۥits interiorbāṭinuhu
فِيهِin itfīhi
ٱلرَّحْمَةُ(is) mercyl-raḥmatu
وَظَٰهِرُهُۥbut its exteriorwaẓāhiruhu
مِنfacing towards [it]min
قِبَلِهِfacing towards [it]qibalihi
ٱلْعَذَابُthe punishmentl-ʿadhābu
14

يُنَادُونَهُمْ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ فَتَنتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْ وَٱرْتَبْتُمْ وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْأَمَانِىُّ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ

They [i.e., the hypocrites] will call to them [i.e., the believers], "Were we not with you?" They will say, "Yes, but you afflicted yourselves1631 and awaited [misfortune for us] and doubted, and wishful thinking deluded you until there came the command of Allāh. And the Deceiver [i.e., Satan] deceived you concerning Allāh.

  1. [1631] By hypocrisy or by falling into temptations.

Word by Word
يُنَادُونَهُمْThey will call themyunādūnahum
أَلَمْWere notalam
نَكُنwenakun
مَّعَكُمْwith youmaʿakum
قَالُوا۟They will sayqālū
بَلَىٰYesbalā
وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْbut youwalākinnakum
فَتَنتُمْled to temptationfatantum
أَنفُسَكُمْyourselvesanfusakum
وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْand you awaitedwatarabbaṣtum
وَٱرْتَبْتُمْand you doubtedwa-ir'tabtum
وَغَرَّتْكُمُand deceived youwagharratkumu
ٱلْأَمَانِىُّthe wishful thinkingl-amāniyu
حَتَّىٰuntilḥattā
جَآءَcamejāa
أَمْرُ(the) Commandamru
ٱللَّهِ(of) Allahl-lahi
وَغَرَّكُمAnd deceived youwagharrakum
بِٱللَّهِabout Allahbil-lahi
ٱلْغَرُورُthe deceiverl-gharūru
15

فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنكُمْ فِدْيَةٌۭ وَلَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ مَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ هِىَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

So today no ransom will be taken from you or from those who disbelieved. Your refuge is the Fire. It is most worthy of you, and wretched is the destination."

Word by Word
فَٱلْيَوْمَSo todayfal-yawma
لَاnot
يُؤْخَذُwill be acceptedyu'khadhu
مِنكُمْfrom youminkum
فِدْيَةٌۭany ransomfid'yatun
وَلَاand notwalā
مِنَfrommina
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
كَفَرُوا۟disbelievedkafarū
مَأْوَىٰكُمُYour abodemawākumu
ٱلنَّارُ(is) the Firel-nāru
هِىَit (is)hiya
مَوْلَىٰكُمْyour protectormawlākum
وَبِئْسَand wretched iswabi'sa
ٱلْمَصِيرُthe destinationl-maṣīru
16

۞ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allāh and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.

Word by Word
أَلَمْHas notalam
يَأْنِcome (the) timeyani
لِلَّذِينَfor those wholilladhīna
ءَامَنُوٓا۟believedāmanū
أَنthatan
تَخْشَعَbecome humbletakhshaʿa
قُلُوبُهُمْtheir heartsqulūbuhum
لِذِكْرِat (the) remembrance (of) Allahlidhik'ri
ٱللَّهِat (the) remembrance (of) Allahl-lahi
وَمَاand whatwamā
نَزَلَhas come downnazala
مِنَofmina
ٱلْحَقِّthe truthl-ḥaqi
وَلَاAnd notwalā
يَكُونُوا۟they becomeyakūnū
كَٱلَّذِينَlike those whoka-alladhīna
أُوتُوا۟were givenūtū
ٱلْكِتَٰبَthe Bookl-kitāba
مِنbeforemin
قَبْلُbeforeqablu
فَطَالَ(and) was prolongedfaṭāla
عَلَيْهِمُfor themʿalayhimu
ٱلْأَمَدُthe terml-amadu
فَقَسَتْso hardenedfaqasat
قُلُوبُهُمْtheir heartsqulūbuhum
وَكَثِيرٌۭand manywakathīrun
مِّنْهُمْof themmin'hum
فَٰسِقُونَ(are) defiantly disobedientfāsiqūna
17

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Know that Allāh gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.1632

  1. [1632] That similarly, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) can soften a heart after its hardness and guide one who had previously been astray.

Word by Word
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟Knowiʿ'lamū
أَنَّthatanna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
يُحْىِgives lifeyuḥ'yī
ٱلْأَرْضَ(to) the earthl-arḍa
بَعْدَafterbaʿda
مَوْتِهَاits deathmawtihā
قَدْIndeedqad
بَيَّنَّاWe have made clearbayyannā
لَكُمُto youlakumu
ٱلْءَايَٰتِthe Signsl-āyāti
لَعَلَّكُمْso that you maylaʿallakum
تَعْقِلُونَunderstandtaʿqilūna
18

إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا يُضَٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allāh a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.

Word by Word
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَthe men who give charityl-muṣadiqīna
وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَٰتِand the women who give charitywal-muṣadiqāti
وَأَقْرَضُوا۟and who lendwa-aqraḍū
ٱللَّهَ(to) Allahl-laha
قَرْضًاa loanqarḍan
حَسَنًۭاgoodlyḥasanan
يُضَٰعَفُit will be multipliedyuḍāʿafu
لَهُمْfor themlahum
وَلَهُمْand for themwalahum
أَجْرٌۭ(is) a rewardajrun
كَرِيمٌۭnoblekarīmun
19

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصِّدِّيقُونَ ۖ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءُ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

And those who have believed in Allāh and His messengers - those are [in the ranks of] the supporters of truth and the martyrs, with their Lord. For them is their reward and their light.1633 But those who have disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of Hellfire.

  1. [1633] Another accepted meaning is "And those who have believed in Allāh and His messengers - they are the supporters of truth. And the martyrs, with their Lord, will have their reward and their light."

Word by Word
وَٱلَّذِينَAnd those whowa-alladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟believeāmanū
بِٱللَّهِin Allahbil-lahi
وَرُسُلِهِۦٓand His Messengerswarusulihi
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ[those]ulāika
هُمُtheyhumu
ٱلصِّدِّيقُونَ(are) the truthfull-ṣidīqūna
وَٱلشُّهَدَآءُand the martyrswal-shuhadāu
عِندَ(are) withʿinda
رَبِّهِمْtheir Lordrabbihim
لَهُمْFor themlahum
أَجْرُهُمْ(is) their rewardajruhum
وَنُورُهُمْand their lightwanūruhum
وَٱلَّذِينَBut those whowa-alladhīna
كَفَرُوا۟disbelievekafarū
وَكَذَّبُوا۟and denywakadhabū
بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآOur Versesbiāyātinā
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَthoseulāika
أَصْحَٰبُ(are the) companionsaṣḥābu
ٱلْجَحِيمِ(of) the Hellfirel-jaḥīmi
20

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ وَزِينَةٌۭ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّۭا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَٰمًۭا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌۭ شَدِيدٌۭ وَمَغْفِرَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌۭ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allāh and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

Word by Word
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟Knowiʿ'lamū
أَنَّمَاthatannamā
ٱلْحَيَوٰةُthe lifel-ḥayatu
ٱلدُّنْيَا(of) the worldl-dun'yā
لَعِبٌۭ(is) playlaʿibun
وَلَهْوٌۭand amusementwalahwun
وَزِينَةٌۭand adornmentwazīnatun
وَتَفَاخُرٌۢand boastingwatafākhurun
بَيْنَكُمْamong youbaynakum
وَتَكَاثُرٌۭand competition in increasewatakāthurun
فِىof
ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِthe wealthl-amwāli
وَٱلْأَوْلَٰدِand the childrenwal-awlādi
كَمَثَلِlike (the) examplekamathali
غَيْثٍ(of) a rainghaythin
أَعْجَبَpleasesaʿjaba
ٱلْكُفَّارَthe tillersl-kufāra
نَبَاتُهُۥits growthnabātuhu
ثُمَّthenthumma
يَهِيجُit driesyahīju
فَتَرَىٰهُand you see itfatarāhu
مُصْفَرًّۭاturning yellowmuṣ'farran
ثُمَّthenthumma
يَكُونُbecomesyakūnu
حُطَٰمًۭاdebrisḥuṭāman
وَفِىAnd inwafī
ٱلْءَاخِرَةِthe Hereafterl-ākhirati
عَذَابٌۭ(is) a punishmentʿadhābun
شَدِيدٌۭsevereshadīdun
وَمَغْفِرَةٌۭand forgivenesswamaghfiratun
مِّنَfrommina
ٱللَّهِAllahl-lahi
وَرِضْوَٰنٌۭand Pleasurewariḍ'wānun
وَمَاBut notwamā
ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ(is) the lifel-ḥayatu
ٱلدُّنْيَآ(of) the worldl-dun'yā
إِلَّاexceptillā
مَتَٰعُ(the) enjoymentmatāʿu
ٱلْغُرُورِ(of) delusionl-ghurūri
21

سَابِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Race [i.e., compete] toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allāh and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allāh which He gives to whom He wills, and Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.

Word by Word
سَابِقُوٓا۟Racesābiqū
إِلَىٰtoilā
مَغْفِرَةٍۢ(the) forgivenessmaghfiratin
مِّنfrommin
رَّبِّكُمْyour Lordrabbikum
وَجَنَّةٍand a Gardenwajannatin
عَرْضُهَاits widthʿarḍuhā
كَعَرْضِ(is) like (the) widthkaʿarḍi
ٱلسَّمَآءِ(of) the heavenl-samāi
وَٱلْأَرْضِand the earthwal-arḍi
أُعِدَّتْprepareduʿiddat
لِلَّذِينَfor those wholilladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟believeāmanū
بِٱللَّهِin Allahbil-lahi
وَرُسُلِهِۦand His Messengerswarusulihi
ذَٰلِكَThatdhālika
فَضْلُ(is the) Bountyfaḍlu
ٱللَّهِ(of) Allahl-lahi
يُؤْتِيهِHe givesyu'tīhi
مَن(to) whomman
يَشَآءُHe willsyashāu
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
ذُو(is) the Possessor of Bountydhū
ٱلْفَضْلِ(is) the Possessor of Bountyl-faḍli
ٱلْعَظِيمِthe Greatl-ʿaẓīmi
22

مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَآ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌۭ

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register1634 before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allāh, is easy -

  1. [1634] i.e., the Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ).

Word by Word
مَآNot
أَصَابَstrikesaṣāba
مِنanymin
مُّصِيبَةٍۢdisastermuṣībatin
فِىin
ٱلْأَرْضِthe earthl-arḍi
وَلَاand notwalā
فِىٓin
أَنفُسِكُمْyourselvesanfusikum
إِلَّاbutillā
فِىin
كِتَٰبٍۢa Registerkitābin
مِّنbeforemin
قَبْلِbeforeqabli
أَنthatan
نَّبْرَأَهَآWe bring it into existencenabra-ahā
إِنَّIndeedinna
ذَٰلِكَthatdhālika
عَلَىforʿalā
ٱللَّهِAllahl-lahi
يَسِيرٌۭ(is) easyyasīrun
23

لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍ

In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allāh does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful -

Word by Word
لِّكَيْلَاSo that you may notlikaylā
تَأْسَوْا۟grievetasaw
عَلَىٰoverʿalā
مَاwhat
فَاتَكُمْhas escaped youfātakum
وَلَاand (do) notwalā
تَفْرَحُوا۟exulttafraḥū
بِمَآat whatbimā
ءَاتَىٰكُمْHe has given youātākum
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
لَا(does) not
يُحِبُّloveyuḥibbu
كُلَّeverykulla
مُخْتَالٍۢself-deludedmukh'tālin
فَخُورٍboasterfakhūrin
24

ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبُخْلِ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ

[Those] who are stingy and enjoin upon people stinginess. And whoever turns away1635 - then indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.

  1. [1635] Refusing to spend for Allāh's cause or refusing obedience to Him.

Word by Word
ٱلَّذِينَThose whoalladhīna
يَبْخَلُونَare stingyyabkhalūna
وَيَأْمُرُونَand enjoinwayamurūna
ٱلنَّاسَ(on) the peoplel-nāsa
بِٱلْبُخْلِstinginessbil-bukh'li
وَمَنAnd whoeverwaman
يَتَوَلَّturns awayyatawalla
فَإِنَّthen indeedfa-inna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
هُوَHehuwa
ٱلْغَنِىُّ(is) Free of needl-ghaniyu
ٱلْحَمِيدُthe Praiseworthyl-ḥamīdu
25

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌۭ شَدِيدٌۭ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌۭ

We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allāh may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.

Word by Word
لَقَدْCertainlylaqad
أَرْسَلْنَاWe sentarsalnā
رُسُلَنَاOur Messengersrusulanā
بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِwith clear proofsbil-bayināti
وَأَنزَلْنَاand We sent downwa-anzalnā
مَعَهُمُwith themmaʿahumu
ٱلْكِتَٰبَthe Scripturel-kitāba
وَٱلْمِيزَانَand the Balancewal-mīzāna
لِيَقُومَthat may establishliyaqūma
ٱلنَّاسُthe peoplel-nāsu
بِٱلْقِسْطِjusticebil-qis'ṭi
وَأَنزَلْنَاAnd We sent downwa-anzalnā
ٱلْحَدِيدَ[the] ironl-ḥadīda
فِيهِwhereinfīhi
بَأْسٌۭ(is) powerbasun
شَدِيدٌۭmightyshadīdun
وَمَنَٰفِعُand benefitswamanāfiʿu
لِلنَّاسِfor the peoplelilnnāsi
وَلِيَعْلَمَand so that Allah may make evidentwaliyaʿlama
ٱللَّهُand so that Allah may make evidentl-lahu
مَن(he) whoman
يَنصُرُهُۥhelps Himyanṣuruhu
وَرُسُلَهُۥand His Messengerswarusulahu
بِٱلْغَيْبِunseenbil-ghaybi
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
قَوِىٌّ(is) All-Strongqawiyyun
عَزِيزٌۭAll-Mightyʿazīzun
26

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًۭا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا ٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍۢ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

And We have already sent Noah and Abraham and placed in their descendants prophethood and scripture; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient.

Word by Word
وَلَقَدْAnd certainlywalaqad
أَرْسَلْنَاWe sentarsalnā
نُوحًۭاNuhnūḥan
وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَand Ibrahimwa-ib'rāhīma
وَجَعَلْنَاand We placedwajaʿalnā
فِىin
ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَاtheir offspringdhurriyyatihimā
ٱلنُّبُوَّةَProphethoodl-nubuwata
وَٱلْكِتَٰبَand the Scripturewal-kitāba
فَمِنْهُمand among themfamin'hum
مُّهْتَدٍۢ(is) a guided onemuh'tadin
وَكَثِيرٌۭbut mostwakathīrun
مِّنْهُمْof themmin'hum
فَٰسِقُونَ(are) defiantly disobedientlyfāsiqūna
27

ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةًۭ وَرَحْمَةًۭ وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ٱبْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ رِضْوَٰنِ ٱللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَـَٔاتَيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

Then We sent following their footsteps [i.e., traditions] Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allāh. But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient.

Word by Word
ثُمَّThenthumma
قَفَّيْنَاWe sentqaffaynā
عَلَىٰٓonʿalā
ءَاثَٰرِهِمtheir footstepsāthārihim
بِرُسُلِنَاOur Messengersbirusulinā
وَقَفَّيْنَاand We followedwaqaffaynā
بِعِيسَىwith Isabiʿīsā
ٱبْنِsonib'ni
مَرْيَمَ(of) Maryammaryama
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُand We gave himwaātaynāhu
ٱلْإِنجِيلَthe Injeell-injīla
وَجَعَلْنَاAnd We placedwajaʿalnā
فِىin
قُلُوبِ(the) heartsqulūbi
ٱلَّذِينَ(of) those whoalladhīna
ٱتَّبَعُوهُfollowed himittabaʿūhu
رَأْفَةًۭcompassionrafatan
وَرَحْمَةًۭand mercywaraḥmatan
وَرَهْبَانِيَّةًBut monasticismwarahbāniyyatan
ٱبْتَدَعُوهَاthey innovatedib'tadaʿūhā
مَاnot
كَتَبْنَٰهَاWe prescribed itkatabnāhā
عَلَيْهِمْfor themʿalayhim
إِلَّاonlyillā
ٱبْتِغَآءَseekingib'tighāa
رِضْوَٰنِ(the) pleasureriḍ'wāni
ٱللَّهِ(of) Allahl-lahi
فَمَاbut notfamā
رَعَوْهَاthey observed itraʿawhā
حَقَّ(with) rightḥaqqa
رِعَايَتِهَاobservanceriʿāyatihā
فَـَٔاتَيْنَاSo We gavefaātaynā
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟believedāmanū
مِنْهُمْamong themmin'hum
أَجْرَهُمْtheir rewardajrahum
وَكَثِيرٌۭbut mostwakathīrun
مِّنْهُمْof themmin'hum
فَٰسِقُونَ(are) defiantly disobedientlyfāsiqūna
28

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَسُولِهِۦ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًۭا تَمْشُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

O you who have believed, fear Allāh and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

Word by Word
يَٰٓأَيُّهَاO you who believeyāayyuhā
ٱلَّذِينَO you who believealladhīna
ءَامَنُوا۟O you who believeāmanū
ٱتَّقُوا۟Fearittaqū
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
وَءَامِنُوا۟and believewaāminū
بِرَسُولِهِۦin His Messengerbirasūlihi
يُؤْتِكُمْHe will give youyu'tikum
كِفْلَيْنِdouble portionkif'layni
مِنofmin
رَّحْمَتِهِۦHis Mercyraḥmatihi
وَيَجْعَلand He will makewayajʿal
لَّكُمْfor youlakum
نُورًۭاa lightnūran
تَمْشُونَyou will walktamshūna
بِهِۦwith itbihi
وَيَغْفِرْand He will forgivewayaghfir
لَكُمْyoulakum
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
غَفُورٌۭ(is) Oft-Forgivingghafūrun
رَّحِيمٌۭMost Mercifulraḥīmun
29

لِّئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍۢ مِّن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

[This is] so that the People of the Scripture may know that they are not able [to obtain] anything from the bounty of Allāh1636 and that [all] bounty is in the hand1637 of Allāh; He gives it to whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.

  1. [1636] As long as they refuse to believe in the message of Allāh which was conveyed through Muḥammad (ﷺ).
  2. [1637] See footnote to 2:19.

Word by Word
لِّئَلَّاSo thatli-allā
يَعْلَمَmay knowyaʿlama
أَهْلُ(the) Peopleahlu
ٱلْكِتَٰبِ(of) the Bookl-kitābi
أَلَّاthat notallā
يَقْدِرُونَthey have poweryaqdirūna
عَلَىٰoverʿalā
شَىْءٍۢanythingshayin
مِّنfrommin
فَضْلِ(the) Bountyfaḍli
ٱللَّهِ(of) Allahl-lahi
وَأَنَّand thatwa-anna
ٱلْفَضْلَthe Bountyl-faḍla
بِيَدِ(is) in Allah's Handbiyadi
ٱللَّهِ(is) in Allah's Handl-lahi
يُؤْتِيهِHe gives ityu'tīhi
مَنwhomman
يَشَآءُHe willsyashāu
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
ذُو(is) the Possessor of Bountydhū
ٱلْفَضْلِ(is) the Possessor of Bountyl-faḍli
ٱلْعَظِيمِthe Greatl-ʿaẓīmi

About This Surah

Surah Al-Hadid calls believers to turn faith into generosity before opportunities pass. It begins with divine sovereignty and knowledge, asks why people delay belief and spending, describes the light of believers on the Day of Judgment, and compares worldly life to vegetation that flourishes and dries. The chapter also mentions messengers, scripture, balance and iron, showing that guidance includes moral standards and practical strength.

The opening praises God through creation and describes knowledge that encompasses what enters the earth, comes out, descends and rises. Divine nearness is presented through knowledge and authority, not physical simplification.

The chapter repeatedly asks believers to spend from what they have been entrusted with. Wealth is not described as absolute private creation; human beings are successors or trustees. Those who spend before a major opening are distinguished from those who act later, though both can receive good.

The judgment scene contrasts believers carrying light with hypocrites asking to borrow light. A barrier separates them, and the hypocrites are reminded that delay, doubt and false hopes deceived them.

A major passage compares worldly life to rain and vegetation that pleases farmers, then dries and becomes debris. The point is not that all worldly activity is worthless, but that competition, display and accumulation cannot provide permanence.

The surah commands hearts to become humble before remembrance and warns against becoming like communities whose hearts hardened over time. It then discusses messengers, scripture, balance and iron. “Iron” should not be converted into speculative science or political propaganda; in context it points to strength, benefit and support for justice.

The closing addresses followers of Jesus and monasticism, noting that a practice was introduced and not maintained as it should have been. Interfaith explanation requires care.

The sending down of iron appears with strength and benefits for people; it should not be advertised as a hidden modern scientific discovery without careful linguistic and historical analysis.

Wealth is described as temporary, and spending supports justice and spiritual sincerity, but charity is not a guaranteed investment return.

Core Themes

  • Wealth is a trust.
  • Generosity has timing and moral urgency.
  • Inner faith becomes visible as light.
  • Delay and false hope can harden the heart.
  • Worldly beauty is temporary but not meaningless.
  • Revelation, balance and strength should serve justice.

Structure

Verses 1-6: Divine sovereignty, creation and knowledge1-6

This movement covers divine sovereignty, creation and knowledge in Surah Al-Hadid. Read verses 1-6 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.

Verses 7-15: Faith, spending and light at judgment7-15

This movement covers faith, spending and light at judgment in Surah Al-Hadid. Read verses 7-15 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.

Verses 16-21: Humble hearts and the temporary world16-21

This movement covers humble hearts and the temporary world in Surah Al-Hadid. Read verses 16-21 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.

Verses 22-24: Decree, loss, gain and arrogance22-24

This movement covers decree, loss, gain and arrogance in Surah Al-Hadid. Read verses 22-24 as a connected section whose placement, transitions, and stated limits govern responsible interpretation rather than isolating one phrase as a ruling or promise.

Verses 25-29: Messengers, balance, iron and religious history25-29

This movement covers messengers, balance, iron and religious history in Surah Al-Hadid. Read verses 25-29 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

Track the repeated relationship between faith and spending. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.

Reading step 2

Read the worldly-life metaphor as a warning against attachment, not productive responsibility. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.

Reading step 3

Avoid speculative claims about the scientific origin of iron. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.

Reading step 4

Read decree verses without dismissing grief or human accountability. Keep the cited passage, its immediate sequence, and the interpretation limits visible before applying it to a contemporary question.

Key Passages

Divine knowledge and sovereignty 3-6

This passage addresses divine knowledge and sovereignty. 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.

Spending from entrusted wealth 7-11

This passage addresses spending from entrusted wealth. 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.

Light and the barrier 12-15

This passage addresses light and the barrier. 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.

Humble hearts 16-17

This passage addresses humble hearts. 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.

Temporary worldly life 20

This passage addresses temporary worldly life. 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.

Loss, gain and pride 22-24

This passage addresses loss, gain and pride. 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.

Scripture, balance and iron 25

This passage addresses scripture, balance and iron. 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.

Jesus's followers and grace 27-29

This passage addresses Jesus's followers and grace. 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 Al-Hadid. 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

  • Decree is not an excuse for injustice or passivity.
  • Iron should not become a forced science miracle claim.
  • Criticism of monasticism should not become mockery of Christians.
  • Generosity guidance does not replace responsible financial planning.
  • The iron verse must not be marketed as a simplistic modern scientific miracle claim.
  • Charity does not guarantee financial multiplication, debt cancellation, or immunity from hardship.
  • Temporary worldly life does not require neglecting family, health, work, or lawful planning.
  • Monasticism passages must not become blanket hostility toward Christians or monastic communities.

Quick Links

Sources