Surah 64 · Medinan · 18 Verses
التغابن
SURAH AT-TAGHABUN
Mutual Disillusion
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌۭ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
It is He who created you, and among you is the disbeliever, and among you is the believer. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
He created the heavens and earth in truth and formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination.
يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
He knows what is within the heavens and earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.
أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ فَذَاقُوا۟ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
Has there not come to you the news of those who disbelieved before? So they tasted the bad consequence of their affair, and they will have a painful punishment.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌۭ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ ۚ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌۭ
That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said, "Shall human beings guide us?" and disbelieved and turned away. And Allāh dispensed [with them]; and Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
زَعَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا۟ ۚ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌۭ
Those who disbelieve have claimed that they will never be resurrected. Say, "Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected; then you will surely be informed of what you did. And that, for Allāh, is easy."
فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلنُّورِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلْنَا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ
So believe in Allāh and His Messenger and the light [i.e., the Qur’ān] which We have sent down. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.
يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًۭا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation.1693 And whoever believes in Allāh and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allāh. And whoever believes in Allāh - He will guide his heart. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And obey Allāh and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon Our Messenger is only [the duty of] clear notification.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّۭا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who have believed, indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ
Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allāh has with Him a great reward.
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
So fear Allāh as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allāh]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
إِن تُقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا يُضَٰعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
About This Surah
Surah At-Taghabun affirms divine knowledge, resurrection and the day when true loss and gain become clear. It tells believers that some family relationships can become a source of opposition or testing, while also commanding caution, forgiveness and pardon. The chapter joins trust in God with generosity and self-restraint.
The opening praises God as sovereign and describes human beings as differing in faith while all actions remain visible. Creation is purposeful, human form is given and hidden and public matters are known.
Earlier rejecters face consequences, and the chapter records disbelief that people will be raised. The messenger is told to affirm resurrection.
The title refers to a day of mutual loss and gain, when belief and good action lead to forgiveness and gardens while denial has consequences.
A verse states that no calamity occurs except by divine permission and that faith guides the heart. This should not be used to dismiss grief, negligence, injustice or the need for practical action. Decree does not remove accountability.
The chapter warns that among spouses and children may be an enemy or source of opposition, then immediately calls believers to beware, pardon, overlook and forgive. The verse does not label all family relationships dangerous and must never justify abuse or hostility.
Wealth and children are described as tests. Believers are told to remain mindful as much as they can, listen, obey and spend. Protection from inner greed is presented as success.
Family members and wealth are described as tests, and some spouses or children may become opponents in matters of faith. This does not label families inherently dangerous or authorize coercion, neglect, or abuse. Pardon and forgiveness remain visible. The “goodly loan” language for spending encourages generosity but cannot be marketed as guaranteed financial multiplication, debt cancellation, or immunity from loss.
Core Themes
- Human action remains visible.
- Resurrection reveals true gain and loss.
- Trust coexists with responsibility.
- Family attachment can test judgment.
- Forgiveness limits suspicion and retaliation.
- Wealth is a test and opportunity for generosity.
Structure
Verses 1-4: Sovereignty, creation and knowledge — 1-4
Verses 1-4 focus on sovereignty, creation and knowledge. Its sequence and relationship to the rest of Surah At-Taghabun should govern interpretation rather than an isolated phrase or slogan.
Verses 5-10: Earlier rejection, resurrection and final loss/gain — 5-10
Verses 5-10 focus on earlier rejection, resurrection and final loss/gain. Its sequence and relationship to the rest of Surah At-Taghabun should govern interpretation rather than an isolated phrase or slogan.
Verses 11-13: Calamity, faith and trust — 11-13
Verses 11-13 focus on calamity, faith and trust. Its sequence and relationship to the rest of Surah At-Taghabun should govern interpretation rather than an isolated phrase or slogan.
Verses 14-18: Family tests, generosity and divine knowledge — 14-18
Verses 14-18 focus on family tests, generosity and divine knowledge. Its sequence and relationship to the rest of Surah At-Taghabun should govern interpretation rather than an isolated phrase or slogan.
Reading Guide
Reading step 1
Read decree without fatalism. Keep the immediate verse sequence, the surah’s full argument, and the visible safety limits together during application.
Reading step 2
Keep family-warning and forgiveness verses together. Keep the immediate verse sequence, the surah’s full argument, and the visible safety limits together during application.
Reading step 3
Do not label ordinary spouses or children enemies. Keep the immediate verse sequence, the surah’s full argument, and the visible safety limits together during application.
Reading step 4
Interpret “as much as you can” as realistic moral responsibility. Keep the immediate verse sequence, the surah’s full argument, and the visible safety limits together during application.
Key Passages
Sovereignty and knowledge — 1-4
Creation, human belief and disbelief, and the final return are placed within God's sovereignty. The movement from visible forms to concealed thoughts makes accountability encompass private as well as public conduct; knowledge of hearts belongs to God, not to observers claiming to read another person's motives.
Resurrection — 7-8
The denial of resurrection receives a direct answer: people will be raised and informed of their deeds. The next verse calls for belief in God, His messenger and the revealed light, linking the future accounting to guidance in the present rather than describing a physical mechanism of resurrection.
Day of loss and gain — 9-10
The gathering reveals loss and gain in terms of faith, righteous action, forgiveness and final destination. That setting explains the chapter's title: worldly profit and financial hardship are not reliable measures of the success or deprivation disclosed on the Day of Assembly.
Calamity and trust — 11-13
The passage moves from calamity to guidance of the heart, obedience and reliance on God. Its promise concerns guidance amid what happens; it does not say believers avoid illness or loss, nor make a sufferer's hardship evidence that their faith is deficient.
Family caution and forgiveness — 14
The warning says that among spouses and children there can be opposition, rather than declaring every family member an enemy. Its immediate movement toward pardon, overlooking and forgiveness matters: caution is held together with mercy, not made a reason for blanket suspicion or domestic coercion.
Wealth, children and generosity — 15-17
Wealth and children are named as trials before the call to listen, obey and give according to one's capacity. Protection from inner stinginess connects generosity to moral change; the goodly-loan image expresses divine appreciation and forgiveness rather than an investment formula guaranteeing a particular income.
Knowledge of unseen and seen — 18
The final names return to the opening account of God's comprehensive knowledge and power. After the discussion of family, resources and generosity, this ending places those everyday decisions within awareness of both what becomes visible and what remains hidden from other people.
Recitation Note
No exclusive time, fixed repetition count, or guaranteed worldly outcome is asserted here for reciting Surah At-Taghabun. Reading it is worship and study; any claim about protection, healing, provision, family outcomes, or a prescribed number requires separate exact evidence and narrow wording.
Interpretation Limits
- Decree does not excuse preventable harm.
- Family verses must not justify abuse or paranoia.
- Generosity copy must not pressure vulnerable users.
- Calamity should not be interpreted as proof of personal guilt.
- True loss/gain is an afterlife concept, not financial advice.
- Spouses and children must not be treated as inherent enemies or subjected to coercion, neglect, or abuse.
- Family conflict language does not erase safeguarding, consent, maintenance, or legal duties.
- The goodly-loan metaphor does not guarantee financial multiplication or debt removal.