Al-Mursalat (ٱلْمُرْسَلَات)

The 77th chapter of the Quran, Surah Al-Mursalat (الْمُرْسَلَات), is dedicated explicitly to disbelievers and deniers. It was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during his early years in Mecca. This is why it is considered a Makki surah. With a total of 50 verses and 2 rukus, this surah is categorized as Tiwal Mufassal, i.e., one of the shorter surahs of the Quran. The name of this surah was derived from the "Mursalat" in the opening verse, which is translated to "The Emissaries." 

This chapter unfolds vivid imagery of the day of Resurrection. It is a stern warning to disbelievers about the consequences they'll face for rejecting God's message. It meticulously talks about the final day as a reminder for mankind to walk on the path of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. Through its verses, Surah al-Mursalat employs powerful rhetoric to emphasize that Hereafter is inevitable. It inspires the readers to have a look at their deeds and contemplate their actions. 

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Mursalat is believed to have been revealed in Mecca during the earlier days of Islam. No specific incident, event, or occasion is related to its revelation. As with earlier Meccan Surahs, the main purpose of the revelation of Surah Al-Mursalat was to address the ongoing mockery of the revelations and the Prophet by the disbelievers of Mecca, especially the leaders of the Quraysh. They used to ask if the Day of Resurrection has to come, why it is not coming right now. They also repeatedly denied the concepts of Hell and Paradise. Generally, this Surah addresses all such baseless arguments.

In that context, Surah Al-Mursalat starts with powerful oaths on the system of winds, affirming that the Creator of this remarkable system is Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. So, if He can create such a system, it is not difficult for Him to resurrect humankind for final accountability on the Day of Judgment. But the Day of Resurrection will certainly come on a fixed schedule, not just to answer the mocking calls by the ordinary disbelievers. Here, the word "Mursalat” has been explained by the classical Quran Commentators in two ways.

Linguistically, it translates to “the Sent Forth”. Some scholars relate it to “the system of winds”, whereas the majority relate it to Angels, interpreting its meaning as “the Sent-Forth” or “the Emissaries”, respectively. However, the main thing is that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has reaffirmed the certainty of the Resurrection, swearing on oath by His Powers to create the system of winds (or by sending His Emissaries), meaning that He is also capable and holds every power to resurrect humans for accountability.

Then the severity of the Day of Judgment is also described, which is quite terrifying, such as "the stars will extinguish", "the sky will be sent asunder", and "mountains will be blown away". To describe the severity and horrible consequences of disbelieving and denying the truth, a specific verse (وَيْلٌ يَّوْمَىِٕذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِيْنَ) repeatedly appears in this Surah, ten times, which translates to "Woe on that Day to the deniers!" Side-by-side," good news is for those who believe, in the shape of a permanent place in Paradise.

Overall, the purpose of sending down this Surah can be summarized as follows:

• The certainty of the Day of Resurrection
• Accountability on the Day of Judgment
• The severity of the Day of Judgment
• The scenes of Hell and Paradise
• Severe and horrible consequences of the denial of the truth

Makki or Madni Surah

By consensus, Surah Al-Mursalat is a Makki Surah, most likely revealed in the early days of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

Place in the Quran

Surah Al-Mursalat is the 77^th Surah of the Quran, and is placed in the 29^th Juzz (Para). It comes after Surah Al-Insan and before Surah An-Naba. It is the 33^rd Surah in the order of revelation, and falls at number 77 in the sequence of recitation.

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Mursalat has 50 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): The verses of Surah Al-Mursalat are grouped into 2 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Mursalat  

Surah Al-Mursalat is profoundly significant for Muslims, theologically, psychologically, and spiritually. It is, in fact, a strong reminder and a sort of wake-up call for Muslims, inviting them to reflect upon the final accountability on the Day of Resurrection.

• The Last Surah Recited by the Prophet in A Prayer – As reported in authentic Hadith collections, such as Hadith 4429 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is the last complete Surah recited by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ while leading the Maghrib prayer before his passing. (I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting Surat-al-Mursalat `Urfan (77) in the Maghrib prayer, and after that prayer, he did not lead us in any prayer till he died.) In this context, it is believed to be the last reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the certainty of the Day of Resurrection and final accountability.
• A Powerful Lesson for Muslims About One of the Basic Beliefs – This Surah categorically affirms that the Day of Resurrection is certain to come at a fixed time, best known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Reciting this Surah while understanding its meanings and theme enhances our Iman on the core Islamic belief of "life after death", which is described as "Aakhirah" in the Islamic terminology. It also strengthens one's Iman on the "Divine Justice", to be dispensed on the Day of Judgment, when everyone will have to face accountability. Believers will be rewarded with a permanent life in Paradise, whereas disbelievers will face the terrible consequences in Hell.
• Woe on that Day to the Deniers – The repetition of the verse (وَيۡلٌ يَّوۡمَٮِٕذٍ لِّلۡمُكَذِّبِيۡنَ‏) "woe on that Day to the deniers", warns and reminds us of the horrifying fate of those who did not believe, and were in a continuous mode of denial, committing wrongful deeds. This Surah, in this context, is a powerful reminder for us to live a righteous life in this world, to avoid the horrible punishment on the Day of Judgment.
• Humility and Submission – This Surah cultivates a sense of humility and complete submission before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It condemns denial and arrogance, urging Muslims to regularly perform Prayers, which is one of the best ways to negate one’s personal ego.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Mursalat (ٱلْمُرْسَلَات)

The central theme of this surah revolves around the day of judgment. It is a reminder that the day every person will be gathered in front of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ is bound to come. On that day, the actions that we used to do in this world will decide whether our faces will be bright with happiness or dark with embarrassment. It challenges readers to think about the divine truth and act accordingly. The verse "Ruin is for the deniers on that day!" has been repeated ten times in the entire surah. It is to bring to the mind of disbelievers that there will be no rescue for them. 

The Day of Upheaval

Right from the beginning, surah Al-Mursalat brings to light proceedings that will occur on the final day. It uses striking imagery and potent language to convey the magnitude and significance of this event. From the cosmic destruction to the gathering of humanity, this day will arrive. Everyone's affair will be settled on that day, and the Lord of the world will be the fair judge. The first 15 verses paint an awe-inspiring picture of this momentous day.

The Supreme Master

Another key aspect of this surah is to describe the absolute power and sovereignty of Allah. He created man and this entire universe, and we shall return to Him in the end. This surah awakens the listeners that they are nothing but just normal beings for the supreme master. He destroyed the nations before us, and He will gather us all again. In verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ mentions, "Did We not create you from an abject fluid?" This surah highlights the intricate balance between the cosmos and the earth as a sign of Allah's greatness. Emphasizing this in verses 25 and 26, "Did We not make the earth a storehouse? For the living and the dead among you?" So, whoever still denies the truth will be ruined that day. 

Message to Deniers

Surah Al-Mursalat (الْمُرْسَلَات) is a note for disbelievers and deniers of truth. It gives them a cue about the aftermath of going astray. The surah delivers a strong warning to those who reject God's message. It emphasizes the consequences of disbelief and the ultimate fate of those who persist in their denial. "Indeed, hell throws up sparks like huge castles." (77:32). "This is a day in which they will not be able to speak." (77:35). Intense reminders are used to give the message to deniers that rejecting the truth will give them a permanent place in hell. 

The Fate of Upright People

As an ending note, Allah talks about the honorable people who always walk on the path appointed by their Lord. He explains that the result of good deeds is nothing other than goodness and blessings. Paradise is waiting for such people. They'll eat and drink whatever they want to, and this is the beauty of the reward given by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. In verse 43, Allah is conversing with the pious by saying, "Eat and drink with pleasure, the reward of your deeds." This inspires readers to be more righteous and act carefully.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Mursalat (ٱلْمُرْسَلَات)

Reciting this surah is believed to protect the readers from evil. As Narrated `Abdullah:

While we were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) in a cave at Mina, when Surat Al-Mursalat was revealed and he recited it and I heard it (directly) from his mouth as soon as he recited its revelation. Suddenly a snake sprang at us and the Prophet (ﷺ) said (ordered us): "Kill it." We ran to kill it but it escaped quickly. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It has escaped your evil and you too have escaped its evil." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1830)

Similarly, our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) recited this surah in maghrib prayer, and after this, He never prayed it again until his death. This showcases the importance and heaviness of this surah. It was narrated from Anas that Umm Al-Fadl bint Al-Harith said:

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in praying maghrib in his house and he recited Al-Mursalat, then after that, he never offered any prayer until he died." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 985)

This surah is not only heavy on the hearts of the readers but it is also heavy on the scale. 

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Mursalat by Renowned Qaris

Listening to the Quran, including Surah Al-Mursalat, as recited by an authentic reciter (Qari), is one of the most effective ways of learning the correct recitation of the Quran. The Quran comprises the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and hence needs to be recited exactly as it was revealed and subsequently taught by the Prophet Muhammad, صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, to his companions. Arabic is a language where even a slight mispronunciation of a word leads to an entirely different meaning. That's why it requires extreme care to pronounce Quranic verses correctly. For a non-Arabic-speaking person, it might be even more challenging to recite the Quran correctly. An easy way to learn the correct pronunciation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Al-Mursalat, is to listen to recitations by renowned reciters.

The MuslimandQuran mobile app provides the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by renowned and authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops at any time. 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 Al-Mursalat.

You can download our mobile app for both Android and iOS by clicking the links given below:

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Surah Al-Mursalat PDF

The MuslimandQuran mobile app provides the ability to read the Quran online. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Mursalat, as a PDF.

You can download Surah Al-Mursalat in PDF by following these simple steps:

• Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
• In the Destination dropdown menu, choose Save as PDF.
• Click Save to download Al-Mursalat to your device.

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