Al-Furqan (ٱلْفُرْقَان)

Surah Al-Furqan is the 25th Surah in the Quran and can be found in 18th and 19th Juz. It has a total number of 77 verses, and the Surah is divided into 6 Rukus. Surah Al-Furqan was revealed in Makkah before Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated to Medinah, so it is referred as a Makki Surah. Most of the Makki Surahs were revealed to comfort and assure our Prophet (ﷺ) as he was facing a challenging time spreading Islam. Surah Al-Furqan was also revealed when Muhammad (ﷺ) was mocked by the people of Makkah, physically and mentally. 

During the Prophethood period in Makkah, the non-believers were involved in spreading falsehood, mocking the Prophet, and committing major sins like fornication. Al-Furqan means differentiating between truth and false and in the Surah, Allah differentiates the believers from the non-believers. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ describes the attributes of true believers and shows the non-believers the signs that Rasool Allah (ﷺ) was sent down by Allah and is His Messenger and Prophet.

٢٥ - ٱلْفُرْقَان

25 - Al-Furqan

تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِيْ نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلٰي عَبْدِہٖ لِيَكُوْنَ لِلْعٰلَمِيْنَ نَذِيْرَۨا۝۱ۙ
Tabaraka allathee nazzala alfurqana AAala AAabdihi liyakoona lilAAalameena natheeran

English

Ahmed Ali

BLESSED IS HE who revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong) to His votary that it may be a warning for the world, --

1

الَّذِيْ لَہٗ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَّلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّہُ شَرِيْكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَہٗ تَقْدِيْرًا۝۲
Allathee lahu mulku alssamawati waalardi walam yattakhith waladan walam yakun lahu shareekun fee almulki wakhalaqa kulla shayin faqaddarahu taqdeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, who has neither begotten a son nor has He a partner in His kingdom, (who) created everything and determined its exact measure.

2

وَاتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِہٖۗ اٰلِہَۃً لَّا يَخْلُقُوْنَ شَـيْـــــًٔا وَّہُمْ يُخْلَقُوْنَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُوْنَ لِاَنْفُسِہِمْ ضَرًّا وَّلَا نَفْعًا وَّلَا يَمْلِكُوْنَ مَوْتًا وَّلَا حَيٰوۃً وَّلَا نُشُوْرًا۝۳
Waittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan la yakhluqoona shayan wahum yukhlaqoona wala yamlikoona lianfusihim darran wala nafAAan wala yamlikoona mawtan wala hayatan wala nushooran

English

Ahmed Ali

Yet they choose apart from Him gods who have not created any thing and have themselves been created, who possess no power over their loss or gain, or their death or life or being raised to life again.

3

وَقَالَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْۗا اِنْ ھٰذَاۗ اِلَّاۗ اِفْكُۨ افْتَرٰىہُ وَاَعَانَہٗ عَلَيْہِ قَوْمٌ اٰخَرُوْنَ۝۰ۚۛ فَقَدْ جَاۗءُوْ ظُلْمًا وَزُوْرًا۝۴ۚۛ
Waqala allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa ifkun iftarahu waaAAanahu AAalayhi qawmun akharoona faqad jaoo thulman wazooran

English

Ahmed Ali

Yet the unbelievers say: "This is nothing but a lie he has concocted in which others have aided him." They have come down to mischief and lies.

4

وَقَالُوْۗا اَسَاطِيْرُ الْاَوَّلِيْنَ اكْتَتَبَہَا فَہِيَ تُمْلٰى عَلَيْہِ بُكْرَۃً وَّاَصِيْلًا۝۵
Waqaloo asateeru alawwaleena iktatabaha fahiya tumla AAalayhi bukratan waaseelan

English

Ahmed Ali

And they say: "These are fables of antiquity he has invented, which are dictated to him morning and evening."

5

قُلْ اَنْزَلَہُ الَّذِيْ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ۝۰ۭ اِنَّہٗ كَانَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا۝۶
Qul anzalahu allathee yaAAlamu alssirra fee alssamawati waalardi innahu kana ghafooran raheeman

English

Ahmed Ali

Say: "He who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth has revealed it to me; and He is surely forgiving and kind."

6

وَقَالُوْا مَالِ ھٰذَا الرَّسُوْلِ يَاْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِيْ فِي الْاَسْوَاقِ۝۰ۭ لَوْلَاۗ اُنْزِلَ اِلَيْہِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُوْنَ مَعَہٗ نَذِيْرًا۝۷ۙ
Waqaloo mali hatha alrrasooli yakulu alttaAAama wayamshee fee alaswaqi lawla onzila ilayhi malakun fayakoona maAAahu natheeran

English

Ahmed Ali

But they say: "What sort of prophet is this who eats food and walks the market places? Why was no angel sent to him to act as admonisher with him?

7

اَوْ يُلْقٰۗى اِلَيْہِ كَنْزٌ اَوْ تَكُوْنُ لَہٗ جَنَّۃٌ يَّاْكُلُ مِنْہَا۝۰ۭ وَقَالَ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ اِنْ تَتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُوْرًا۝۸
Aw yulqa ilayhi kanzun aw takoonu lahu jannatun yakulu minha waqala alththalimoona in tattabiAAoona illa rajulan mashooran

English

Ahmed Ali

Or a treasure should have been given to him, or he should have had an orchard from which he could eat." And these wicked people say: "You only follow a man ensorcelled."

8

اُنْظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوْا لَكَ الْاَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوْا فَلَا يَسْتَطِيْعُوْنَ سَبِيْلًا۝۹ۧ
Onthur kayfa daraboo laka alamthala fadalloo fala yastateeAAoona sabeelan

English

Ahmed Ali

Just see what comparisons they bring up for you! They are lost and cannot find the way.

9

تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِيْۗ اِنْ شَاۗءَ جَعَلَ لَكَ خَيْرًا مِّنْ ذٰلِكَ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِہَا الْاَنْہٰرُ۝۰ۙ وَيَجْعَلْ لَّكَ قُصُوْرًا۝۱۰
Tabaraka allathee in shaa jaAAala laka khayran min thalika jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu wayajAAal laka qusooran

English

Ahmed Ali

Blessed be He who, if He pleased, could give you better than that, -- gardens with rivers flowing by; and make palaces for you.

10

Surah Al-Furqan was revealed in Mecca. During the middle phase of Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It means that around 4 to 6 years had passed since the Prophet had started spreading the Message of Islam in Mecca. By that time, the opposition of the Prophethood by the Quraysh was increasing. Besides rejecting the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, they had also started raising irrelevant objections. They said, why is the Quran being revealed in parts, instead of being sent down in one go, as a whole.

Similarly, they rejected the Quran, saying it was not sent by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, but rather that someone was helping the Prophet fabricate it on the basis of historical/ancient legends. They also used to raise objections, why there is no Angel accompanying the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and why he does not show any miracles; instead, he just walks, eats, and lives like humans.

With that backdrop, Surah Al-Furqan was revealed, mainly to address all such issues. Additionally, the Surah was also aimed at emphasizing the basic concept of Islam, Tawheed (Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ), just like other Meccan Surahs, revealed around that period. So, the purpose of the revelation of this Surah was to provide strength to the Prophet and his followers, in addition to addressing the false and wrong accusations by the Quraysh. Through this Surah, all their objections were sufficiently addressed:

  • It was categorically narrated that the Quran is "Furqan", which translates to "the Criterion", hence it clearly separates the truth from the falsehood.
  • It was clarified that the verses of the Quran are being sent gradually to strengthen the heart of the Prophet and to facilitate him to memorize and communicate it to the people, as and when required.
  • The demand for miracles was addressed by saying that the Quran in itself is a miracle.
  • The believers are also encouraged by giving the examples of some previous Prophets, who also faced similar objections, but eventually the truth prevailed over the falsehood with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while the disbelievers’ objections are refuted and they are warned of the consequences of disbelieving.
  • The concept of Tawheed and the absolute Powers and Authority of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is also specifically mentioned by giving glaring examples from nature.    

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Furqan is a Makki Surah, revealed during the mid-phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ mission in Mecca, around 4 to 6 years after his Prophethood.

Place in the Quran

It is the 25th Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (Para) 18 and 19. It is placed after Surah Al-Nur and before Surah Ash-Shua’raa. It is the 42nd Surah In the order of revelation, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it is placed at number 25.

  • Number of Verses: Surah Al-Furqan has 77 verses.
  • Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Furqan is grouped into 6 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Furqan

The significance of Surah Al-Furqan can be summarized as follows:

  • The Surah starts with defining the Quran as Al-Furqan, which can be translated to "the Criterion". It is narrated that the Quran separates the believers from the disbelievers and draws a line between truth and falsehood. It means that the Quran defines the guiding principles between what is right and what is not.
  • This Surah, like most of the other Meccan Surahs, refutes the false allegations levelled by the disbelievers against the Prophet. It strongly defends him against all such accusations by saying that he is human like you but has been chosen as a Messenger of God. It is also clarified that he does not need a miracle to prove that he is a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ
  • This Surah reaffirms the authenticity of the Quran, being the Divine Revelation, as against the allegation by the disbelievers that the Prophet fabricated it with the help of someone else. It highlights the special but unique style and guidance, which is unparalleled by all standards, hence confirming that it is a Divine Book.
  • The disbelievers are strictly warned of the consequences of their denial and rejection of the Prophethood and Divine Message, which they will have to face on the Day of Judgment.
  • The Surah, just like most of the Meccan Surahs, narrates the falsehood of idol worship.
  • The Surah specifically mentions the traits and qualities of the True Believers, which include humility, peaceful conduct of affairs and deeds, purity of morals, patience, steadfastness, and above all, avoiding shirk. They always seek Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
  • The surah specifically invites disbelievers to reflect on the clear and glaring signs of Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Absolute Power and Authority, by giving the examples from nature, such as the Creation of Earth, Heavens, Day, and Night, and so on.
  • Additionally, this Surah serves as a word of encouragement and strength for the Prophet and his followers by briefly narrating the stories of previous nations who faced similar situations, in which truth eventually prevailed over falsehood.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Furqan

 

 

Surah Al-Furqan focuses on the main aspects of Islam, which are faith, morality, and not associating partners with Allah. The Surah starts with praising Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, emphasizing His Oneness and power as a Creator, highlighting all He has blessed us with on this earth. The Surah also conveys a special message to the people of those times that is also relevant to those of today about the Quran and Prophets. 

There were some objections raised against the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad (ﷺ), the Surah stresses that the topic that Quran is a revelation from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ and is not the words of Prophet (ﷺ). The Surah acknowledges the Quran as a divine revelation and not the words of Muhammad (ﷺ). Allah sent down the Divine Book on His Messenger (ﷺ) to guide mankind to the right path. 

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ emphasizes the topic of Tawheed that is the Oneness of Allah and disowns everyone who worships anyone or anything other than Allah. Allah declared Himself as the only Creator and Sustainer of the earth and the heavens above and He is the all-powerful and mighty. 

The Surah highlights the challenges and accusations faced by Muhammad (ﷺ), appreciating him (ﷺ) for his work and ensuring him (ﷺ) that Allah knows everything that he goes through and knows his pure intention. To comfort Muhammad (ﷺ), Allah narrates the stories of different Prophets, their mission, and how Islam is a continuation of what was sent down earlier through different Prophets. 

The Surah also highlights the Day of Resurrection and the rewards and punishments it brings with it. The believers will be rewarded heavily while the Mushriks who disbelieved and mocked the believers will face severe punishments. 

Surah Al-Furqan also highlights that a true believer is humble, sincere in his worship, patient, and avoid what is false and sinful. Allah tells His believers about the importance of maintaining moral conduct, social justice, and brotherhood with each other. The main theme of the Surah is to guide the believers, warn the non-Muslims, declare Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ as the ultimate power and the Quran as the divine book, and comfort Muhammad (ﷺ) that Allah is with him. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Furqan

Surah Al-Furqan serves as a chapter of the Quran that guides mankind about the right and wrong paths, the hereafter life, and the worldly life, and how important it is for believers to lead a righteous life. It guides us about the basics of Islamic principles which include believing in One Allah, the Quran being the Book of Allah, and the truth about Prophets and their mission. 

It also serves as a source that tells us about the Day of Judgment, rewards for the believers and the consequences of disbelieving in Allah and the message He sent through His Prophet (ﷺ). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ says in Surah Al-Furqan;

“Blessed be He who, if He pleased, could give you better than that, - gardens with rivers flowing by; and make palaces for you. Yet they reject the Hour as untrue. We have prepared a Fire for those who deny the resurrection.” (Quran 25: 10) (Quran 25:11)

The Surah helps us to lead a moral and ethical life and strive for excellence. It serves as a source that conveys immense rewards for the believers to strengthen their faith and warns the Mushriks of the consequences they will face if they keep rejecting the message of Allah and mocking His Messenger (ﷺ). 

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ also states the duty of Muhammad (ﷺ) to comfort him that his job is to spread the words of Allah and rest Allah will take care and he should not worry or stress over it. In Surah, Allah says,

Yet We have not sent you but to give good tidings and to warn. Tell them: “I do not ask any recompense of you for this other than (urging) whoever likes may take the way to his Lord.” (Quran 25:56) (Quran 25:57)

So, recite Surah Al-Furqan, and learn its meaning as this will strengthen your imaan over Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, elevate you spiritually, and help you increase your worship to be among the best of the believing people.

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

If a person finds it difficult to read the Quran correctly, listening to the recitation of an authentic reciter (Qari) can be a rich source of learning how to read it correctly according to Tajweed. Correct recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al-Furqan, is critical, as even a slight mispronunciation of a Quranic word can lead to a completely 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 helps you listen to the recitation of the Quran. 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-Furqan. 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:

Surah Al-Furqan PDF

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FAQs:

Al-Furqan translates to “the Criterion”. While the Quran is often referred to as Al-Furqan, in the context of Surah Al-Furqan, this term refers to the criterion set by Islam between the believers and the disbelievers, and between truth and falsehood.

Surah Al-Furqan has 77 verses.

Surah Al-Furqan can be recited at any time of day or night. The recitation of Surah Al-Furqan is not restricted to any specific time, day, or month.

No, there is no specific Hadith about the virtues and status of Surah Al-Furqan.   

Yes, you can easily listen to it on your mobile phone and laptops, as all the Surahs of the Quran are available on the Mobile Application and Website of the MuslimandQuran.

The recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Al-Furqan, brings huge rewards, not only in this world but also on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, recitation of this Surah may bring rewards, whenever recited, not necessarily daily. Recite it whenever you like.