About Surah Ash-Shams
Its theme is to distinguish the good from the evil and to warn the people, who were refusing to understand this distinction and insisting on following the evil way, of the evil end. In view of the subject matter, this Surah consists of two parts.
Main Theme: Surah Ash-Shams focuses on distinguish the good from the evil and to warn the people, who were refusing to understand this distinction and insisting on following the evil way, of the evil end.
Revelation Context: Revealed in Makkah. Traditionally listed as revelation number 26. Contains 15 verses. The subject matter and the style show that this Surah too was revealed in the earliest period at Makkah at a stage when opposition to the Holy Prophet (upon whom be Allah's peace) had grown very strong and intense.
Benefits & Significance
Surah Ash-Shams matters in daily life by developing awareness of the Hereafter while strengthening sincere repentance and hope in mercy; this helps the reader stay principled under pressure and consistent in faith.
- Connects everyday behavior with final accountability, making decisions more principled and careful. Surah Ash-Shams links this directly to faith-driven action.
- Motivates self-correction so spiritual growth continues even after failure. Surah Ash-Shams repeatedly reinforces this lesson.
- Turns stories of earlier prophets and nations into practical lessons for present-day choices. This is a recurring practical lesson in Surah Ash-Shams.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَىٰهَا 1
By the sun and its brightness
وَٱلْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَىٰهَا 2
And [by] the moon when it follows it
وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلَّىٰهَا 3
And [by] the day when it displays it
وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰهَا 4
And [by] the night when it covers it
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا بَنَىٰهَا 5
And [by] the sky and He who constructed it
وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا طَحَىٰهَا 6
And [by] the earth and He who spread it
وَنَفْسٍۢ وَمَا سَوَّىٰهَا 7
And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it
فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا 8
And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّىٰهَا 9
He has succeeded who purifies it,
وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّىٰهَا 10
And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].
كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَىٰهَآ 11
Thamud denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression,
إِذِ ٱنۢبَعَثَ أَشْقَىٰهَا 12
When the most wretched of them was sent forth.
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا 13
And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسَوَّىٰهَا 14
But they denied him and hamstrung her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].
وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَٰهَا 15
And He does not fear the consequence thereof.