Az-Zumar (ٱلزُّمَر)

Surah Az-Zumar is the 39th surah of the Holy Quran. It is a relatively long surah with 75 verses and 8 rukus. It is a Makki surah, which is named Az-Zumar, meaning the 'The Crowd' or 'The Throng,' referring to the groups of people who will be gathered on the day of Qayamah. The surah is a powerful reminder that there is only one God, i.e., Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Its purpose was to refresh the memory of the Meccans that there is no one worthy to be worshipped except Allah. While stressing the importance of Tawhid, the surah also offers a message of hope. It assures believers that Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) mercy is vast and encompasses all. Even those who have committed sins are encouraged not to despair of Allah's forgiveness but to repent and turn towards Him sincerely.

In and around 615-617 A.D., the Arabic society was mostly polytheistic. The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) was spreading the message of Islam to a people who had been worshipping many idols for centuries. Thus, the Prophet and the newly converted Muslims were being ill-treated by the Meccans. In the context of this severe persecution, Rasool Allah (ﷺ) gave permission to some of his companions under the leadership of Ja'far bin Abi Talib to migrate to Habsha (Abyssinia) after surah Az-Zumar was revealed. The themes of this surah resonate with the experiences of the early Muslims during the period of their migration to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia). 

Facts About Surah Az-Zumar

  • Juz/Para Number: 23 and 24

  • Surah Number: 39

  • Total Verses: 75

  • Total Words: 1117

  • Number of Rukus in Surah Az-Zumar: 8

٣٩ - ٱلزُّمَر

39 - Az-Zumar

تَنْزِيْلُ الْكِتٰبِ مِنَ اللہِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْحَكِيْمِ۝۱
Tanzeelu alkitabi mina Allahi alAAazeezi alhakeemi

English

Ahmed Ali

THE REVELATION OF this Book is from God, the mighty and all-wise.

1

اِنَّاۗ اَنْزَلْنَاۗ اِلَيْكَ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ فَاعْبُدِ اللہَ مُخْلِصًا لَّہُ الدِّيْنَ۝۲ۭ
Inna anzalna ilayka alkitaba bialhaqqi faoAAbudi Allaha mukhlisan lahu alddeena

English

Ahmed Ali

We have revealed to you the Scripture with exactitude; so worship God with devotion all exclusive for Him.

2

اَلَا لِلہِ الدِّيْنُ الْخَالِصُ۝۰ۭ وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِہٖۗ اَوْلِيَاۗءَ۝۰ۘ مَا نَعْبُدُہُمْ اِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُوْنَاۗ اِلَى اللہِ زُلْفٰى۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَہُمْ فِيْ مَا ہُمْ فِيْہِ يَخْتَلِفُوْنَ۝۰ۥۭ اِنَّ اللہَ لَا يَہْدِيْ مَنْ ہُوَكٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ۝۳
Ala lillahi alddeenu alkhalisu waallatheena ittakhathoo min doonihi awliyaa ma naAAbuduhum illa liyuqarriboona ila Allahi zulfa inna Allaha yahkumu baynahum fee ma hum feehi yakhtalifoona inna Allaha la yahdee man huwa kathibun kaffarun

English

Ahmed Ali

Remember that devotion is exclusively for God. Those who have taken protectors other than Him, say: "We worship them that they may bring us nearer to God." Surely God will judge between them in what they are differing about. Verily God does not show the way to an ungrateful liar.

3

لَوْ اَرَادَ اللہُ اَنْ يَّتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّاصْطَفٰى مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاۗءُ۝۰ۙ سُبْحٰنَہٗ۝۰ۭ ہُوَاللہُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَہَّارُ۝۴
Law arada Allahu an yattakhitha waladan laistafa mimma yakhluqu ma yashao subhanahu huwa Allahu alwahidu alqahharu

English

Ahmed Ali

Had God pleased to take a son, He could have chosen whom He liked from among those He has created. Glory be to Him. He is God, the one, the omnipotent.

4

خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَـقِّ۝۰ۚ يُكَوِّرُ الَّيْلَ عَلَي النَّہَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّہَارَ عَلَي الَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ۝۰ۭ كُلٌّ يَّجْرِيْ لِاَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى۝۰ۭ اَلَا ہُوَالْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفَّارُ۝۵
Khalaqa alssamawati waalarda bialhaqqi yukawwiru allayla AAala alnnahari wayukawwiru alnnahara AAala allayli wasakhkhara alshshamsa waalqamara kullun yajree liajalin musamman ala huwa alAAazeezu alghaffaru

English

Ahmed Ali

He has created the heavens and the earth with precision. He folds the day up over the night, and folds the night up over the day. He has subjugated the sun and moon, (so that) each runs its appointed course. Is He not all-mighty and forgiving?

5

خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْہَا زَوْجَہَا وَاَنْزَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَنْعَامِ ثَمٰنِيَۃَ اَزْوَاجٍ۝۰ۭ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِيْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّہٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِيْ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكُمُ اللہُ رَبُّكُمْ لَہُ الْمُلْكُ۝۰ۭ لَاۗ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ۝۰ۚ فَاَنّٰى تُصْرَفُوْنَ۝۶
Khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin thumma jaAAala minha zawjaha waanzala lakum mina alanAAami thamaniyata azwajin yakhluqukum fee butooni ommahatikum khalqan min baAAdi khalqin fee thulumatin thalathin thalikumu Allahu rabbukum lahu almulku la ilaha illa huwa faanna tusrafoona

English

Ahmed Ali

He created you from a single cell, then from it created its mate; arid provided eight varieties of cattle for you. He formed you in the mother's womb, formation after formation in three (veils of) darkness. He is God your Lord. His is the kingdom. There is no god other than He. How then can you turn away?

6

اِنْ تَكْفُرُوْا فَاِنَّ اللہَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْكُمْ۝۰ۣ وَلَا يَرْضٰى لِعِبَادِہِ الْكُفْرَ۝۰ۚ وَاِنْ تَشْكُرُوْا يَرْضَہُ لَكُمْ۝۰ۭ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزْرَ اُخْرٰى۝۰ۭ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكُمْ مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّہٗ عَلِـيْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ۝۷
In takfuroo fainna Allaha ghaniyyun AAankum wala yarda liAAibadihi alkufra wain tashkuroo yardahu lakum wala taziru waziratun wizra okhra thumma ila rabbikum marjiAAukum fayunabbiokum bima kuntum taAAmaloona innahu AAaleemun bithati alssudoori

English

Ahmed Ali

If you are ungrateful, then remember! God is independent of you, and He does not favour ingratitude on the part of His creatures. If you are grateful He will be pleased with you. For no one who carries a burden bears another's load; and your returning is to your Lord, when He will tell you what you used to do. Surely He knows what is in the hearts.

7

وَاِذَا مَسَّ الْاِنْسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّہٗ مُنِيْبًا اِلَيْہِ ثُمَّ اِذَا خَوَّلَہٗ نِعْمَۃً مِّنْہُ نَسِيَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوْۗا اِلَيْہِ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلہِ اَنْدَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيْلِہٖ۝۰ۭ قُلْ تَمَــتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيْلًا۝۰ۤۖ اِنَّكَ مِنْ اَصْحٰبِ النَّارِ۝۸
Waitha massa alinsana durrun daAAa rabbahu muneeban ilayhi thumma itha khawwalahu niAAmatan minhu nasiya ma kana yadAAoo ilayhi min qablu wajaAAala lillahi andadan liyudilla AAan sabeelihi qul tamattaAA bikufrika qaleelan innaka min ashabi alnnari

English

Ahmed Ali

When man is afflicted with adversity he turns to his Lord, and prays to Him. But when He bestows His favour on him, he forgets what he prayed for before, and sets up others as compeers of God to mislead (people) from His way. Say: "Take advantage of your denying for a while: You will be among the inmates of Hell."

8

اَمَّنْ ہُوَقَانِتٌ اٰنَاۗءَ الَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَّقَاۗىِٕمًا يَّحْذَرُ الْاٰخِرَۃَ وَيَرْجُوْا رَحْمَۃَ رَبِّہٖ۝۰ۭ قُلْ ہَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ وَالَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ۝۹ۧ
Amman huwa qanitun anaa allayli sajidan waqaiman yahtharu alakhirata wayarjoo rahmata rabbihi qul hal yastawee allatheena yaAAlamoona waallatheena la yaAAlamoona innama yatathakkaru oloo alalbabi

English

Ahmed Ali

Can one who prays in the watches of the night, bowing in homage or standing attentive, fearful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (be like one who does not)? Say: "Can those who know, and those who do not know, be equal? Only they think who are wise."

9

قُلْ يٰعِبَادِ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوْا رَبَّكُمْ۝۰ۭ لِلَّذِيْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا فِيْ ہٰذِہِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَـنَۃٌ۝۰ۭ وَاَرْضُ اللہِ وَاسِعَۃٌ۝۰ۭ اِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصّٰبِرُوْنَ اَجْرَہُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ۝۱۰
Qul ya AAibadi allatheena amanoo ittaqoo rabbakum lillatheena ahsanoo fee hathihi alddunya hasanatun waardu Allahi wasiAAatun innama yuwaffa alssabiroona ajrahum bighayri hisabin

English

Ahmed Ali

Tell them: "O my creatures who have come to belief, have fear of displeasing your Lord. There is good for those who do good in this world, and productive is God's earth. Only those who persevere will get their reward measureless."

10

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Az-Zumar (ٱلزُّمَر)

The theme of Surah Az-Zumar (الزُّمَر) is built on the story of the creation of Adam and all his offspring. Focusing on the Divine power to create one creation after another from the darkness of the womb. Right at the start of Surah Az-Zumar, in verse no. 6, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says:

He created you (all) from a single person: then created, of like nature, his mate; and he sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs: He makes you, in the wombs of your mothers, in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness. Such is Allah, your Lord, and Cherisher: to Him belongs (all) dominion. There is no god but He: then how are ye turned away (from your true Centre)?

This verse explains the core concept of Tauheed. It is Allah who holds the power to create human beings from one single soul and cell. It serves as a reminder that there is no other deity except Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). 

Similarly, posing the importance of the Quran, Allah discloses that by remembering Him, hearts become peaceful. True believers are among those people who read the holy Book of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and become fearful of going astray. Allah says in Surah Az-Zumar: 

"God has sent down the very best discourse, the Book conformable in its juxtapositions, which makes all of those who fear their Lord shudder. So, their hearts and bodies become receptive to the remembrance of God. This is the guidance of God with which He guides whosoever He will, but whosoever God allows to go astray has none to show him the way." (Az-Zumar: 23)

Moving further in the surah, The Almighty makes it clear to the people by explaining the concept of death. He says, 'God gathers up the souls of those who die, and of those who do not die, in their sleep; then He keeps back those ordained for death and sends the others back for an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for those who reflect."

The day of Judgment is an inevitable truth that will come no matter what. It is the day when every creature, be it jinn or human, will be given results of what they have been up to in the world. In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) shed light upon the day of Resurrection. It says: 

"They do not esteem God as is rightly due to Him. The whole earth would be a fistful of His on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens would be rolled up in His right hand. Too immaculate is He and too high for what they associate with Him!" (39:67)

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Az-Zumar (ٱلزُّمَر)

Surah Az-Zumar (الزُّمَر) glorifies Allah. Narrated by Hazrat Aishah:

"The Prophet (ﷺ) would not sleep until he recited Surat Bani Isra'il and Az-Zumar." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi:2920)

This hadith shows reciting Surah Az-Zumar has a lot of significance. The themes of Tawheed, sincerity in worship, belief in Allah's mercy, preparation for the day of Judgment, and faith in Allah's justice are guiding principles for Muslims in this world. Reciting surah Az-Zumar reminds Muslims about the glory of Allah, and by reciting the glory of Allah, one can gain His favor. 

Surah Az-Zumar brings hope to the believers. It reassures those who transgress that the doors of Allah's mercy are open for all. It is never too late to accept your mistake, seek Tawbah from Allah, and come to the right path. Allah is all forgiving and most merciful. Verse 53 of the surah says: 

"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'"

This surah not only assures Muslims of Allah's mercy but also teaches us the importance of mercy and forgiveness. It tells us that if Allah, the creator of the world, can forgive the most grievous sins of His creation, we should too. It reminds us to be merciful and forgiving in our lives rather than strict and uncompromising. Muslims who forgive those who have wronged them in the name of Allah are following the path of Allah, and Allah will keep them in His favor.   

The person who recites Surah-Az Zumar is reminded of the hereafter. This surah points out the difference between believers and disbelievers and further explains the reward of the righteous path and the punishment of the sins. Thus, by reciting the surah regularly, Muslims are reminded to stay on the right path to avoid hellfire and gain entry to paradise. You can read this surah anytime you want, specifically before sleeping. If you wish to read Surah Az-Zumar with complete translation and Tafseer, you can read it through muslimandquran.com.