Adh-Dhariyat is the 51st chapter or surah of the Quran. Adh-Dhariyat, also known as the scatterer, the dust-scattering winds, and driver of the winds, is positioned in the juz 26 and 27 with 3 rukus and a total of 60 verses. A Makki/Meccan surah, Adh-Dhariyat, consists of a tripartite structure: I, 1– 23; II, 24– 46; III, 47– 60 – a feature commonly seen in early Makki surahs.
The surah mentions Prophet Abraham and Noah, the day of judgment, and emphasizes the message of the Quran. Although the exact timeline of the revelation is unknown, the theme and subject provide an idea that Adh-Dhariyat was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during his residency in Makkah when the Prophet's (ﷺ) invitation and message to the non-believers towards Islam was being rejected and met with false accusations and resistance. The surah is likely to have been revealed during the same time as the revelation of Surah Qaf.
٥١ - ٱلذَّارِيَات
51 - Adh-Dhariyat
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Surah Adh-Dhariyat is believed to have been revealed during the earlier phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ life in Mecca, most probably around the same time when Surah Qaf was revealed. It was a time when the disbelievers of Quraysh were openly and severely opposing the Prophethood, but by that time, the persecution against the Prophet and his followers had not yet started.
Like other Meccan Surahs of that particular phase, the purpose of this Surah was to emphasize the basic beliefs of Islam, such as Tawheed (monotheism), the reality and truth of Prophethood, and, more importantly, the concept of the hereafter, the Day of Judgement, and final accountability. With that background, the Surah begins with an oath over several natural phenomena, such as the blowing of the winds and the formation of clouds, while describing the inevitability of the Day of Resurrection and accountability. Referring to these natural phenomena, it is established in this Surah that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has created them and that He has the authority and control over the entire Universe. A major part of this Surah deals with life after death, the Day of Resurrection, and the inevitability of accountability that every human is destined to face.
Addressing the rejection and opposition of the disbelievers of Mecca, precise examples are also drawn from the lives of previous Prophets, such as Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, and Lut عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ. Their struggle and the behavior of their nations are also mentioned, while establishing that those who opposed and rejected the Message were destroyed. This is a sort of warning for the disbelievers of Mecca that they will also be destroyed if they do not believe in the Message preached by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It was also an encouragement for the Prophet that he should continue spreading the message of Islam because only those who are blessed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Then, in the last verses of this Surah, the concept of Tawheed (monotheism) is also emphasized. In this context, the purpose of the creation of mankind is also specifically mentioned (56th verse), which states that both humans and jinn were created solely for the purpose of worshipping One Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat is a Makki Surah. It was revealed during the early years of the Prophet’s mission in Mecca, most probably in the fourth or fifth year after Prophethood.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat is the 51st Surah of the Quran. It is placed in the Juzz (Para) numbers 26 and 27. It comes after Surah Qaf and before Surah At-Tur. It is the 67th Surah in the order of revelation, whereas it falls at number 51 in the sequence of recitation.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat has a profound spiritual and religious significance in Islamic teachings. The significance of this Surah can be summarized as follows:
The main purpose of this Surah's revelation was to establish and emphasize the concept of life after death, commonly referred to as the "Hereafter". At the time of its revelation, the disbelievers were outrightly rejecting the Hereafter. The Surah specifically mentions the Day of Resurrection, when the destiny of all mankind will be decided based on their deeds. In this way, the Surah not only establishes the reality of resurrection but also the inevitability of accountability on the Day of Judgement, when the righteous will be rewarded and the disbelievers punished. Reflecting on these core beliefs is equally relevant in the contemporary era and will remain significant for the generations to come.
Tawheed, monotheism or Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, is the basic belief in Islam. This Surah repeatedly invites mankind to reflect on the signs of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, giving examples from natural phenomena, such as the blowing of the winds and the formation of clouds. It establishes the core belief of Oneness and Absolute Authority of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, mentioning that only He is the Creator of everything that exists in the world.
One of the most relevant significances of this Surah is that it categorically narrates the purpose of the creation of mankind. It is mentioned that humans and jinn were created to worship only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. While establishing the purpose of the creation of humans as “worshipping Only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ", it also negates idol worship, as was the practice of the disbelievers of Mecca at that time. It implies that worship is not just a matter of religious rituals; it should aim at living a life in this world, strictly as taught by Islam, and only to please Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
The examples of previous nations are narrated in this Surah: the nations of the Prophets Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, and Lut (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), clarifying that the teachings of these Prophets were also rejected by their people, and that these nations were destroyed. By narrating these stories, the disbelievers are warned that they will also face the same consequences. On the other hand, it is also a message for the Prophet, consoling and encouraging him to continue spreading the Message of Islam, as only those blessed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ are. It is also a lesson for Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of hardship.
Like most surahs of the Quran, Surah Adh-Dhariyat (الذَّارِيَات) begins with Allah Azzawajal swearing an oath by one of the incredible feats of nature He has created. He says: "By the winds scattering ˹dust˺, and ˹the clouds˺ loaded with rain, and ˹the ships˺ gliding with ease, and ˹the angels˺ administering affairs by ˹Allah's˺ command! Indeed, what you are promised is true." This is a promise to the believers and the non-believers that what Allah and His messenger have said regarding the Day of Judgment will come to pass.
The concept of the hereafter is very much front and center in this surah. Surah Adh-Dhariyat warns the disbelievers that nations in the past that refused to accept the message of the Prophets that were sent upon them and indulged in ignorance and insults were met with disaster. Moreover, it also highlights the majestic power of Allah and emphasizes the fact that it is He who created the universe alone and is the only one who sustains it. This is a reminder for the believers to always be in awe of the power of their Lord and remain humble and faithful.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat encourages the believers to reflect greatly on everything Allah has created around them. Be it the wind that blows, the heavens, or the earth. It endorses them to contemplate whatever they see around them and wonder how they come into existence if not for Allah and His power. The existence of all things combined is the evidence for the existence of the hereafter, as well.
In the last verses, the surah discusses the oneness of Allah (Tawhid). Allah states in the surah that He is not like the false gods who need sustenance from humans. Instead, He does not need sustenance from anyone and has enough power and might without needing anything from anyone. Such is His power.
In surah Adh-Dhariyat, we find that in the past, when the messages of Allah's prophets were rejected by their nations, they were not rejected on the basis of logic or rational doubt but solely due to pride, ignorance, and stubborn behavior of the people who disbelieved. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) has therefore been advised to ignore those who rebel out of spite and go on preaching his message of Islam and truth, and as for those who rebel and choose to disbelieve despite the truth right in front of them, they will be met with their share of punishment similar to those before them.
Some historical accounts and stories of the previous Prophets have also been mentioned in Surah Adh-Dhariyat. These include the story of descending angels to Abraham, the sending of Moses to the Pharoah, the punishment of the people of Noah, and the punishment of the people of Adh.
In the book of Majmaʿ al-bayān fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān, the Prophet (ﷺ) has been reported to have said that anyone who recites Surah Adh-Dhariyat will be given ten rewards for the blow of every wind. Moreover, Al-Shayk al-Saduq also transmitted from Imam-al-Sadiq that whoever recites Surah Adh-Dhariyat during the day or night, Allah will increase his sustenance and brighten his grave with a lamp until the last day.
Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah also reportedly narrated from Abu al-Mutawakil Naji that Ibn Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) used to recite Surah Qaf and Surah Adh-Dhariyat in the Dhuhr prayer. Even general recitation of the Quran and indulging in the remembrance of Allah helps earn His forgiveness and gain relief from feelings of depression, anxiety, and guilt.
"Those who believe and find peace in their hearts from the contemplation of God: Surely there is peace of heart in the contemplation of God!" (13:28)
Moreover, recitation of the Quran will also provide relief from the fire on the day of judgment. Abu Huraira had reported the Prophet (ﷺ) to have said:
"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." – Riyad-as-Salihin 991
Listening to the recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Adh-Dhariyat, by an authentic Qari (reciter) is highly beneficial. Reciting the Quran with correct pronunciation is highly important and a sensitive matter. At times, it can be quite difficult to follow the correct pronunciation, especially for a non-Arabic speaker. Additionally, one may sometimes just want to listen to the Quran rather than read it oneself. To overcome these difficulties and requirements, listening to a renowned reciter (Qari) can be highly beneficial.
The MuslimandQuran website and mobile application provide the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by the most authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, and you can listen to it on your mobile devices or laptops with ease. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Adh-Dhariyat.
The mobile application of the MuslimandQuran is available for both Android and iOS, which can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store, respectively, by clicking the links given below:
The MuslimandQuran website and mobile application offer the option to read the Quran online, but if you prefer to read it offline, you can also download it as a PDF for your convenience. You can download Surah Adh-Dhariyat in PDF by following these simple steps:
Adh-Dhariyat translates to “the winds”. In the context of Surah Adh-Dhayriat, it refers to the examples from the natural phenomena that are described in this Surah to establish the Authority of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat has 60 verses.
The recitation of Surah Adh-Dhariyat is not associated with any specific time; it can be recited anytime during the day or night, per your convenience.
No, there is no specific Hadith about the virtues of this Surah.
Yes, you can listen to it on any of your mobile devices or laptops. All the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Adh-Dhariyat, are already uploaded on the Mobile Application and website of the MuslimandQuran.
Reading any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Adh-Dhariyat, brings unlimited rewards. Hence, reading this Surah on a daily basis may bring rewards, although not specifically recommended by any scholar. You can read it whenever you like, not necessarily daily.
The Quran, including Surah Adh-Dhariyat, is for all of mankind, not specifically for any particular nation. Everyone can get the same benefits from reciting it. So, a non-Arabic speaker will receive the same benefits from reciting Surah Adh-Dhariyat as an Arabic-speaking individual.