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 8 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. 

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 a guide 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 as a source for the believers to live righteous lives that align with the message of Allah that 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 Hell fire. 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.