Al-Ma'aarij (ٱلْمَعَارِج)

Surah Ma’arij is the 70th Surah found in Juz 29 of the Quran. It has 44 verses divided into 2 Rukus and was revealed in Makkah before the Hijirah period. 

The Surah also pictures the reality of the Day of Judgment, how humans will behave on the day, and how everything will finish—even the mighty mountains will look like tufts of wool. Allah emphasizes the believers' steadfastness in their beliefs and states severe punishments for those who disbelieve. Allah describes the nature of this worldly life, how it is just a test, and the importance of preparing for the eternal life of the hereafter.

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Ma’arij was revealed in Mecca, around the same period as Surah Al-Haqqah, i.e., during the 5^th or 6^th year of Prophethood. It was the period when physical persecution of Muslims by the leaders of Quraysh had not yet started, but the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was being harshly mocked, and his Prophethood was flatly rejected by the disbelievers of Quraysh. Simultaneously, they also outrightly rejected the warning about the happening of the Day of Judgment, the resurrection of mankind, and accountability on that Day. It is believed that some of the leaders of Quraysh arrogantly challenged the occurrence of the Day of Resurrection, saying that if it has to happen, let it happen now.

According to the majority of the classical Quran commentators, the immediate reason for the revelation of this Surah was to answer this arrogant and mocking challenge. So, the Surah starts with the mention of this scoffing challenge by the disbelievers. Going further, the Surah depicts the horrible scenario on the Day of Resurrection and Judgment, describing it as a Day that would be as long as fifty thousand years by the standards of this world. The consequences of this Day would be so horrible that the disbelievers, who would have to face the punishment, would offer their children and wives as a ransom to avoid the severity of the Day of Judgment, but none of their requests would be entertained, and no one would be able to absolve them of the consequences.

The Surah also addresses the mocking challenges of disbelievers, such as when this Day will come, why it does not come right now, and why they were not yet punished by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The Surah appropriately responds to this type of mocking remarks and ridiculing the Day of Judgment, as follows:

• The Day of Judgment and Resurrection, and the Divine punishment will certainly come.
• The right timings of these occurrences are only known by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and He holds the absolute Powers to dispense punishment according to His own Will and Command.
• By describing the Day of Resurrection as lasting for as long as fifty thousand years, it is established that the Divine time is far beyond human perception.

And like many other Meccan Surahs, Surah Al-Ma’arij also advises the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to observe patience, as the Day will certainly come, but the exact time is only known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. At this point, the Surah also briefly portrays the happenings on the Day of Judgment, when the sky will melt like brass, mountains will turn into tufts of wool, and friends will not recognize friends. That Day will be the severest of the days for disbelievers and wrongdoers, but not for those who believed and spent a righteous worldly life.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Ma’arij is a Makki Surah, most probably revealed during the 5^th to 6^th year of the Prophethood.

Place in the Quran

Surah Al-Ma’arij is the 70^th Surah, placed in the 29^th Juzz (Para) of the Quran. It comes after Surah Al-Haqqah and before Surah Nuh. It is the 79^th Surah in the order of revelation, and comes at number 70 in the sequence of recitation.

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Ma’arij has 44 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Ma’arij is divided into 2 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Ma’arij  

Surah Al-Ma’arij was sent down to address the mocking remarks and scoffing challenges by some of the disbelievers, who demanded and challenged that if the Day of Judgment is to come, let it come right now, and why are we not being punished? In this context, this Surah holds great religious significance, as it describes some of the core Islamic beliefs.

Some of the significances of this Surah can be summarized as follows:

• It describes and reaffirms the certainty of the Day of Judgment. This Surah specifically depicts the scenario of that Day, when the sky will melt like brass, and mountains will disperse in the air like the tufts of wool. The worst scenario on that Day is described as people fleeing away even from their own children, wives, and closest of relations.
• The Surah describes human nature as being naturally anxious. So, they panic at the time of hardship. The Surah gives us the lesson not to panic and stay firm in faith, whatever the circumstances.
• Surah Al-Ma’arij defines the characteristics of righteous people. Some of their qualities include consistency in worship, fearfulness of Divine punishment, frequent charity, guarding their chastity, fulfilling their commitments and promises, and being always trustworthy and honest.
• Spiritually, this Surah teaches us to remain prepared to face the Hereafter, maintain and be consistent in prayer, and develop patience even in the harshest of circumstances.
• The Surah teaches us that our dealings and conduct must reflect true faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• The Surah also emphasizes controlling anxiety, which is a natural trait of mankind, but needs to be averted by maintaining consistency in prayer and worship, and having unwavering belief and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The anxiousness can also be controlled by keeping in mind the Divine accountability on the Day of Judgment.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Ma’arij

The Surah revolves around the journey of Ma’arij and describes it in detail. Surah Ma’arij starts with a question where someone is inquiring about the trial due or the suffering the disbelievers have to go through. In the Surah, Allah describes the end day of the world, when the mountains look like a bunch of wool and everything vanishes.

It will be the day when no one will care about what his beloved friend is doing. The Mushriks will be in trouble and they will do anything to save themselves from the torment of hellfire. They will even give up their children, wives, or any beloved family member to save themselves from the fire of hell. 

The Surah describes the believers and their nature of giving charity. It describes how they will be saved from punishment. The Surah reveals glad tidings for Muslim men who guard their chastity and fulfill their moral obligations. They will be honored and granted a place in the heavens. 

Allah highlights the virtues of being pious, and firm towards believing in Allah and spreading His message to others. He also describes the negative traits of the hypocrites and Mushriks who reject the truth. Allah calls them greedy, impatient, and selfish, and such people who remain ignorant and arrogant, Allah says:

“So leave them to their vain disputes and amusement till they meet their day (of reckoning) promised them. The day when they will come out of their graves in all haste as though rushing to their altars. Eyes lowered, shame attending. That is the day they have been promised!” (Quran 70:42, 70:43, 70:44)

In Surah Ma’atij, Allah distinguishes between the worldly life and that of the hereafter. The Surah reminds us that this worldly life is temporary and the hereafter is eternal. The Mushriks enjoy this life and get the most pleasure from this worldly life while the Momin is patient; they know this life is insignificant and just a test from Allah, and they prepare for the hereafter life.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Ma’arij

The Surah also clearly describes the Day of Judgment, encouraging us to prepare before the Hour arrives and lead a righteous life. The Surah guides us to detach ourselves from worldly pleasure and prepare for the hereafter, which is eternal. The Quran guides us to maintain honesty, patience, high moral standards, and consistency in observing our Islamic practices to elevate our imaan and strengthen our bond with Allah.

Surah Al-Ma’arij establishes the certainty of the Resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and Divine Punishment for those who did not believe and committed wrongful acts during their worldly life. That Day will be the harshest for them, whereas those who believed, lived a righteous life in this world, and maintained prayer, honesty, and justice in their deeds, will be exempted from the harshness of that Day.

Reciting this Surah, while reflecting on its meanings, strengthens our Iman (faith) on the Day of Judgment, and the accountability of mankind on that Day. Hence, this Surah is highly virtuous and beneficial for Muslims to understand and comprehend the severity of the Day of Judgment, which inspires them to maintain prayers, be patient in the harshest of circumstances, and live a righteous life in this world to get the maximum relief and rewards on that Day. Regular recitation of this Surah, while understanding its meaning and theme, removes any misconceptions about the final accountability on the Day of Resurrection.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Ma’arij by Renowned Qaris

Recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’arij, is a sensitive matter, though it is highly virtuous as well. The Quran comprises the words of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, hence it demands deep reflection and complete focus while reciting it. It needs to be recited with correct pronunciation, exactly how they were revealed and were taught by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. In the Arabic language, the correct pronunciation of each word and phrase matters. Even a slight mistake in pronouncing a word may completely lead to the wrong meaning. So, it is highly important to take extra care while reciting the Quran. Listening to the recitation of the Quran by authentic Qaris (reciters) is the best way to learn the correct way of reciting the Quran. Above that, sometimes you may also like to listen to the Quran instead of reading it yourself.

The mobile app of MuslimandQuran provides the best solution to this important issue. The recitation of the Quran by the renowned and authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops quite easily, whenever you may like. 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 Mobile Application of the Muslim and the Quran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’arij.

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

• Mobile Application for iOS
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Surah Al-Ma’arij PDF

The facility of reading the Quran online is readily available on the mobile app of Muslim and Quran. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ma’arij, in PDF.

You can download Surah Al-Ma’arij 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-Ma’arij to your device.

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