Al-Insan (ٱلْإِنْسَان)

Surah Al-Insan, also known as Surah Ad-Dahr and Surah Al-Abrar, is the 76th chapter of the Quran that delves into the essence of human existence. This relatively short surah, comprising 31 verses and 2 rukus, has a powerful message about creation, purpose, and the ultimate destiny of mankind. The surah got its name from the words 'Insan' and 'Dahr' in the first verse. It was revealed upon the Prophet (ﷺ) during his time in Medina. This is why it is a Madni Surah. 

Surah Al-Insan is a beautiful surah that takes readers on a journey of realization that revolves around the origin of humankind, their test in the world, and the consequences of their actions. It reminds us to be always grateful to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ and walk on the righteous path that our Lord has selected for us. In this surah, Allah paints a vivid picture of what it will be like in paradise and hell. This serves as a warning so that we can correct our affairs and choose wisely. It is a chapter that invites contemplation so that every person who reads it examines their life in the light of this eternal perspective. 

٧٦ - ٱلْإِنْسَان

76 - Al-Insan

ہَلْ اَتٰى عَلَي الْاِنْسَانِ حِيْنٌ مِّنَ الدَّہْرِ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَـيْــــًٔا مَّذْكُوْرًا۝۱
Hal ata AAala alinsani heenun mina alddahri lam yakun shayan mathkooran

English

Ahmed Ali

WAS THERE NOT a time in the life of man when he was not even a mentionable thing?

1

اِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُّطْفَۃٍ اَمْشَاجٍ۝۰ۤۖ نَّبْتَلِيْہِ فَجَعَلْنٰہُ سَمِيْعًۢا بَصِيْرًا۝۲
Inna khalaqna alinsana min nutfatin amshajin nabtaleehi fajaAAalnahu sameeAAan baseeran

English

Ahmed Ali

Verily We created man from a sperm yoked (to the ovum) to bring out his real substance, then gave him hearing and sight.

2

اِنَّا ہَدَيْنٰہُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَّاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا۝۳
Inna hadaynahu alssabeela imma shakiran waimma kafooran

English

Ahmed Ali

We surely showed him the way that he may either be grateful or deny.

3

اِنَّاۗ اَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكٰفِرِيْنَ سَلٰسِلَا۟ وَاَغْلٰلًا وَّسَعِيْرًا۝۴
Inna aAAtadna lilkafireena salasila waaghlalan wasaAAeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

We have prepared for unbelievers chains and collars and a blazing fire.

4

اِنَّ الْاَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُوْنَ مِنْ كَاْسٍ كَانَ مِزَاجُہَا كَافُوْرًا۝۵ۚ
Inna alabrara yashraboona min kasin kana mizajuha kafooran

English

Ahmed Ali

Surely the devotees will drink cups flavoured with palm blossoms

5

عَيْنًا يَّشْرَبُ بِہَا عِبَادُ اللہِ يُفَجِّرُوْنَہَا تَفْجِيْرًا۝۶
AAaynan yashrabu biha AAibadu Allahi yufajjiroonaha tafjeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

From a spring of which the votaries of God will drink and make it flow in abundance.

6

يُوْفُوْنَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُوْنَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّہٗ مُسْـتَطِيْرًا۝۷
Yoofoona bialnnathri wayakhafoona yawman kana sharruhu mustateeran

English

Ahmed Ali

Those who fulfil their vows and fear the Day whose evil shall be diffused far and wide,

7

وَيُطْعِمُوْنَ الطَّعَامَ عَلٰي حُبِّہٖ مِسْكِيْنًا وَّيَـتِـيْمًا وَّاَسِيْرًا۝۸
WayutAAimona alttaAAama AAala hubbihi miskeenan wayateeman waaseeran

English

Ahmed Ali

And feed the needy for the love of Him, and the orphans and the captives,

8

اِنَّمَا نُـطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْہِ اللہِ لَا نُرِيْدُ مِنْكُمْ جَزَاۗءً وَّلَا شُكُوْرًا۝۹
Innama nutAAimukum liwajhi Allahi la nureedu minkum jazaan wala shukooran

English

Ahmed Ali

(Saying): "We feed you for the sake of God, desiring neither recompense nor thanks.

9

اِنَّا نَخَافُ مِنْ رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوْسًا قَمْطَرِيْرًا۝۱۰
Inna nakhafu min rabbina yawman AAaboosan qamtareeran

English

Ahmed Ali

We fear the dismal day calamitous from our Lord."

10

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Insan (ٱلْإِنْسَان)

Surah Al-Insan (الْإِنسَان) talks in detail about the relationship between humans and God. It emphasizes that worldly life is just a transitionary period and the ultimate destination is back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. This surah strongly highlights that every action that we do, whether it is good or bad, will have eternal consequences. A brief explanation of the main themes of the surah is given below. 

Human Creation and Trials

The surah starts with a strong reminder from Allah that He made humans when not even their names existed anywhere. The purpose was to warn mankind that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ is the sole creator of all humans and that the purpose of their existence is to serve God. In verse 2, Allah highlights the intricate process of human creation from semen. "Indeed, We have created man from mixed semen; to test him – We therefore made him hearing, knowing." Life is nothing other than a test from the Almighty. He tests us by fulfilling our wishes, and He tests us by depriving us of many. All of these trials are set upon us to see if we're grateful or if we go astray. 

Rewards and Punishments

Surah Al-Insan is a letter to mankind from Allah. It affirms that actions shape fate. It is humans themselves who choose whether they'll stay in hell or paradise by their individual deeds. This surah portrays a visual representation of paradise and hell, serving as a powerful motivation to act right. 

"We have indeed kept prepared chains, and shackles and a blazing fire for the disbelievers." (76:4). Right after this verse, The Almighty explains the beautiful end of virtuous people. He says, "Indeed the virtuous will drink from a cup, containing a mixture of Kafoor." (76:5). The Kafoor is a spring from which the chosen bondmen of Allah will drink, causing it to flow wherever they wish inside their palaces." (76:6)

Perks of Righteousness

The surah goes into detail, explaining the habits and deeds of righteous people. Such God-fearing people always remember the day of resurrection in their hearts and act wisely. They are always grateful to Allah no matter what situation they are in and help the poor and needy. These deeds will make them sit on the throne of paradise on the final day. From verses 7 to 22, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ paints a picture of paradise. He describes that the believers will have silk clothes to wear, and there will be no end to food and drinks in heaven. Not only that, as a reward Allah will surround them with immortal youths. This is advice from the omnipotent to choose the path of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ as the perks of righteousness are beyond human imagination. 

Word of Wisdom

As an ending note, Allah shares some words of wisdom and advice to man. The surah extols the virtues of gratitude, highlighting the significance it has in attaining God's pleasure. Verse 24 showcases Allah's word to the wise, "Therefore stay patient upon your Lord's command, and do not listen to any of the sinners or ingrates among them." He explains that by worshipping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ and remembering Him day and night, paradise will be a home for believers. Allah is the Lord of both worlds. He chooses who will be a believer and walk on the path of the Lord and who will stand in His way. This surah was sent as a piece of advice to man. In verse 29, the all-powerful God says, "This is indeed advice; so, whoever wishes may take the path towards his Lord."

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Insan (ٱلْإِنْسَان)

Surah Al-Insan, also known as Surah Ad-Dahr, is a renowned surah for the many blessings and virtues it gives to the readers. It is a notary keepsake from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, and thus reciting this surah strengthens the faith. Reciting it in Friday morning prayer is a sunnah and opens the door to many favors and blessings. 

In Sahih al-Bukhari 891, Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the following in the Fajr prayer of Friday, "Alif, Lam, Mim, Tanzil" (Suratas- Sajda #32) and "Hal-ata-ala-l-Insani" (i.e., Surah-Ad-Dahr #76).