Al-Mu'minoon (ٱلْمُؤْمِنُون)

Surah Al-Mu’minun is the 23rd Surah which can be found in Juz 18, and has 118 verses divided into 6 Rukus. This Surah was revealed to Muhammad (ﷺ) before the Hijirah period while he (ﷺ) was in Makkah. Surah Al Mu’minun highlights the characteristics of a Muslim, elaborates on the creation of mankind, declares the power and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, and also states the resurrection on the Day of Judgment and the life hereafter. 

Surah Al- Mu’minun highlights the stories of many Prophets including Nooh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Moosa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) discussing their hard work and the rejection by the people and its consequences. The Surah also warns the Mushriks and the Hypocrites about how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ knows what they do and they will face severe consequences for their denial and mockery of the message sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ through His Prophets. 

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Mu’minun was revealed during the early to mid-phase of Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ life in Mecca. It was a time when the opposition and rejection of the Prophethood by the disbelievers of Mecca were increasing day by day. However, it had not yet reached its extreme. In that backdrop, this Surah was revealed with multiple purposes, such as defining the qualities of believers (Muslims), emphasizing the concept of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the reality and truth of the Prophethood, and the reality of the creation of humankind and their resurrection on the Day of Judgment (the concept of Life After Death).

In this context, Surah starts with a detailed narration about the creation of humankind, describing different phases of their life and death. It is emphasized that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is One Who Created mankind, and He is Capable of Resurrecting them on the Day of Judgment for final accountability. The Surah also describes briefly the life and struggle of the previous Prophets, such as the Prophets Nuh, Musa, and Isa عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ. It is also mentioned that several other Prophets (unnamed) were sent to their respective nations. Every Prophet brought the same Divine Message and faced similar opposition from their people, as the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was facing. It is established that all of them preached the same religion, and ultimately those accepting their Message were saved while others were destroyed. The purpose of narrating the struggles of the previous Prophets was to provide a word of consolation and encouragement to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and his followers.

So, the historical context of the revelation of Surah Al-Mu’minun can be described as follows:

1. It was revealed in the backdrop of increasing opposition and rejection of Prophethood by the disbelievers of Mecca, the Quraysh.
2. As with most of the Meccan Surahs, it was also aimed at emphasizing the concept of Tawheed, Prophethood, resurrection on the Day of Judgment, and the concept of final accountability.
3. Defining and establishing the qualities that a true believer must possess.
4. Responding to the wrong arguments by Quraysh.
5. Providing a word of encouragement and consolation to the Prophet and his followers by narrating the stories of the previous Prophets, who faced a similar sort of opposition from their people.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Mu’minun is a Makki Surah, revealed during the mid-phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s life in Mecca, well before the Hijrat-e-Medina, most probably sometime after the famous drought of Mecca.

Place in the Quran

It is the 23^rd Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (Para) 18. It can be found after Surah Al-Hajj and before Surah An-Nur. In the order of revelation, it falls at number 74, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it is placed at number 23.

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Mu’minun has 118 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Mu’minun is grouped into 6 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Mu’minun

Surah Al-Mu’minun carries a multi-dimensional significance for the Muslim Ummah.

• It Defines the Qualities a True Believer Must Possess

The first part of the Surah, comprising 11 verses, specifically narrates what qualities a true believer should have. It sets a parameter of the essential traits for becoming a successful believer/Muslim. Some of these qualities include:

• Deep reflection and humility when offering prayers (Salah), which is described as “Khushoo”.
• A true Muslim would never indulge in unnecessary and vain talk/speech.
• They should give zakat, an alms tax levied on rich and wealthy Muslims.
• They must avoid “zina’a”, the sexual perversion.
• A true Muslim would always be honest and trustworthy in all his/her deeds and affairs.
• A true believer must always fulfill his promises, agreements, and pledges.

So, these verses are a rich source of transforming a person into a successful and true Muslim.

• It Highlights the Basic Concepts of Faith

Surah Al-Mu’minun precisely describes the basic concepts of faith, the Oneness and absolute Power and Authority of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, the creation, death, and resurrection of humankind, the life after death and final accountability on the Day of Resurrection, and the reality and truth of the Prophethood. Going further, the destiny of the disbelievers as compared to the believers is also emphasized in this Surah. So, it is a rich source of strengthening one's faith.  

• Lessons to Learn from the Struggle and Life Stories of Previous Prophets

This Surah narrates the lives and struggles of previous Prophets, such as Nuh, Musa, and Isa عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ. Additionally, many other Prophets and their people are also mentioned, without giving their names. The purpose of these stories is to make the people realize that every previous Prophet preached the same religion, and more importantly, they faced the same type of opposition and rejection by their people. The lesson here is that those who denied the truth of Prophethood and Divine Message faced the punishment by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, whereas those who believed got the rewards. The narration of these stories is also a sort of encouragement and consolation to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and his followers. 

• It Teaches Us a Highly Virtuous and Beneficial Supplication

The last verse of this Surah (Say: "My Lord, forgive and have mercy. You are the best of the merciful.") is a supplication of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, which becomes a rich and powerful source and supplication, providing us encouragement, consolation, and religious strength. It is a reflection of resilience, hope, and complete trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Mu’minun

As the name says, Surah Al-Mu’minun focuses on defining the qualities of a true believer, the importance of having faith in the Almighty, and the consequences of disbelieving in the message sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ and doing shirk. The Surah begins with declaring the true believers as successful, those who have the best of basic characteristics, which include humility, offering prayers, avoiding vain talks, giving charity, guarding chastity, and being faithful to trust and promises. 

Believers who trust in Allah and are best in character will receive guaranteed success which is Paradise, and those who disobey Allah and worship anything other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, i.e., perform shirk will fail. 

The Surah was revealed when Prophet (ﷺ) was facing the harsh behavior of the people of Makkah, as in the Surah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ sent down the message for the Mushriks who were mocking His Rasool (ﷺ). Allah warned them of the consequences and calls these people to repent and turn back to Allah. Surah Al-Mu’minun addresses the role of Prophets as a guide for the people and to lead them to the right path. Allah recounts the stories of Prophet Nooh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Moosa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Surah, as these Prophets were mocked by their people for spreading the religion of Allah. 

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ also addresses the creation of mankind and how a human is made from a single cell, develops in the uterus, and comes to the world. It is Allah, who creates this amazing creation in darkness and transforms it from a baby into a fully grown-up human that can perform all its tasks on its own and then he certainly dies to be resurrected once again on the Day of Judgment. 

Surah Al-Mu’minun addresses the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ for us and how He has blessed us with rain, water, orchards of dates and grapes, milk from cattle, and an abundance of eatable items that we can enjoy in this world. Allah mentions the stories of Noah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when his (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) people refused to believe him and accused him of lying. 

It was Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ who helped him with success and saved him and the people who believed in him from those who mocked him. Allah also describes the story of Moses and his brother Aaron, who were also mocked by the wicked people when they tried to spread the message of Allah with clear proof and abandon the Pharoah. 

It was Allah, who saved him (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his people from the Pharoah and his wicked people. The story of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is also recounted in this Surah, which gave shelter to him and his mother, Maryam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). 

Allah guides the believers to supplicate to Him for anything they need, even when they seek protection. In verse 65, Allah says:

“Do not supplicate for help today, you will not be rescued by Us.” (Quran 23:65)

The Surah points to the power and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, His creations, and all the evidence that are signs of His existence. It discusses the Day of Judgment, Paradise for the believers as a reward, and life in Hell for those who disbelieved and mocked the believers. The Surah clearly tells the readers that Prophets are normal human beings sent to the world as guides and messengers of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ to lead mankind to the right path. Those who follow them enter Paradise and those who disobey will lead to a life in Hell. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Mu’minun

Surah Al-Mu’minun serves as a guide for both Muslims as well as non-Muslims. It describes the qualities of a true believer and gives them glad tidings of successful life in the hereafter providing them a source to strengthen their faith and spiritual level. It provides a source for the believers to live righteous lives that align with the message of Allah, which will lead them to attain Jannah. 

Surah Al-Mu’minun emphasizes the power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, His mercy, and readiness to forgive His True Believers, encouraging them to repent when they sin and stay on the right path. 

Surah Al-Mu’minun reminds the Muslims and the non-Muslims of the Day of Judgment when every human being will pay for his deeds and attain either Jannah or rot in the Hellfire. The Surah serves as a source of message for the wrongdoers who disobey Allah and mock His Prophets, that they will face the consequences in the hereafter. 

This also tells us about how just Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ is and everyone will face what they sow in the world. It also encourages Muslims to strengthen their faith and increase their obedience to the Almighty. The Surah serves as a solace for the believers in times of difficulties, instills hope, and helps the true believers of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ to remain steadfast on their deen.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Mu’minun by Renowned Qaris

If a person is facing difficulty in reading the Quran correctly as per Tajweed, listening to the recitation by an authentic reciter (Qari) is a rich source of learning the correct pronunciation. Correct recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al-Mu’minun, is a highly critical and sensitive matter, as even a small mistake in pronouncing a Quranic word may entirely lead to a different meaning. Similarly, a non-Arabic speaker may find it difficult to pronounce some Quranic words correctly. Moreover, sometimes you may just prefer to listen to the Quran rather than read it yourself.

MuslimandQuran facilitate you in this context. We have uploaded recitations of the Quran by the renowned reciters (Qaris). You can select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile app to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Mu’minun.

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Surah Al-Mu’minun PDF

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