Fatir (فَاطِر)

Surah Fatir is the thirty-fifth Surah of the Holy Quran and gets its name from the word ‘Fatir’ in the first verse. The term ‘Fatir’ means ‘The Creator’ or ‘The Originator’, highlighting Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ authority as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It was revealed in Makkah, making it a Makki surah. Surah Fatir contains 45 verses and is located in Juz 22 of the Quran. Surah Fatir is the fifth and the last of the hamidat surahs (beginning with the praise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎.

Surah Fatir stresses Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ unmatched authority, the significance of thankfulness, the consequences of ingratitude, and the final rewards in the Hereafter. It reminds believers to gain knowledge, practice patience, and trust in Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ forgiveness. Simultaneously, it warns the non-believers about their negative behavior towards Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Overall, Surah Fatir strongly reminds us of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ Majesty, the importance of thankfulness, and the truth of the Hereafter. It encourages us to be patient during difficult times and request His guidance in everything. Surah Fatir strengthens belief and motivates us to prioritize success in the Hereafter over temporary material riches and benefits.

Another name for Surah Fatir is ‘Al-Malaika’ (Angels), which also appears in the first verse mentioning Angels, their abilities, and how they carry out different tasks on Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ command.

٣٥ - فَاطِر

35 - Fatir

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلہِ فَاطِرِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ جَاعِلِ الْمَلٰۗىِٕكَۃِ رُسُلًا اُولِيْۗ اَجْنِحَۃٍ مَّثْنٰى وَثُلٰثَ وَرُبٰعَ۝۰ۭ يَزِيْدُ فِي الْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَاۗءُ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ عَلٰي كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ۝۱
Alhamdu lillahi fatiri alssamawati waalardi jaAAili almalaikati rusulan olee ajnihatin mathna wathulatha warubaAAa yazeedu fee alkhalqi ma yashao inna Allaha AAala kulli shayin qadeerun

English

Ahmed Ali

ALL PRAISE BE to God, the originator of the heavens and the earth, who appointed angels as His messengers, with wings, two, three and four. He adds what He pleases to His creation. He has certainly power over everything.

1

مَا يَفْتَحِ اللہُ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ رَّحْمَۃٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَہَا۝۰ۚ وَمَا يُمْسِكْ۝۰ۙ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَہٗ مِنْۢ بَعْدِہٖ۝۰ۭ وَہُوَالْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ۝۲
Ma yaftahi Allahu lilnnasi min rahmatin fala mumsika laha wama yumsik fala mursila lahu min baAAdihi wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu

English

Ahmed Ali

There is none who can take away the favours He bestows on man; and there is none apart from Him to restore what He has withheld. He is all-mighty and all-wise.

2

يٰۗاَيُّہَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَتَ اللہِ عَلَيْكُمْ۝۰ۭ ہَلْ مِنْ خَالِقٍ غَيْرُ اللہِ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَاۗءِ وَالْاَرْضِ۝۰ۭ لَاۗ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ۝۰ۡۖ فَاَنّٰى تُـؤْفَكُوْنَ۝۳
Ya ayyuha alnnasu othkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum hal min khaliqin ghayru Allahi yarzuqukum mina alssamai waalardi la ilaha illa huwa faanna tufakoona

English

Ahmed Ali

O you people, remember the favours of God to you. Is there any creator other than God who gives you food from the heavens and the earth? There is no god but He: How then can you turn aside?

3

وَاِنْ يُّكَذِّبُوْكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ۝۰ۭ وَاِلَى اللہِ تُرْجَعُ الْاُمُوْرُ۝۴
Wain yukaththibooka faqad kuththibat rusulun min qablika waila Allahi turjaAAu alomooru

English

Ahmed Ali

If they call you a liar, so have other messengers been denied before you. But all things will be brought back to God.

4

يٰۗاَيُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنَّ وَعْدَ اللہِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيٰوۃُ الدُّنْيَا۝۰۪ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللہِ الْغَرُوْرُ۝۵
Ya ayyuha alnnasu inna waAAda Allahi haqqun fala taghurrannakumu alhayatu alddunya wala yaghurrannakum biAllahi algharooru

English

Ahmed Ali

O you people, the promise of God is true. So do not let the life of this world delude you, nor let that (arch) deceiver deceive you about God.

5

اِنَّ الشَّيْطٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوْہُ عَدُوًّا۝۰ۭ اِنَّمَا يَدْعُوْا حِزْبَہٗ لِيَكُوْنُوْا مِنْ اَصْحٰبِ السَّعِيْرِ۝۶ۭ
Inna alshshaytana lakum AAaduwwun faittakhithoohu AAaduwwan innama yadAAoo hizbahu liyakoonoo min ashabi alssaAAeeri

English

Ahmed Ali

Satan is certainly your enemy, so hold him as a foe. He only calls his faction to be the residents of Hell.

6

اَلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَہُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيْدٌ۝۰ۥۭ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَہُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّاَجْرٌ كَبِيْرٌ۝۷ۧ
Allatheena kafaroo lahum AAathabun shadeedun waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lahum maghfiratun waajrun kabeerun

English

Ahmed Ali

For those who are unbelievers, there is severe punishment; but for those who believe and do the right is forgiveness and a great reward.

7

اَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَہٗ سُوْۗءُ عَمَلِہٖ فَرَاٰہُ حَسَـنًا۝۰ۭ فَاِنَّ اللہَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَّشَاۗءُ وَيَہْدِيْ مَنْ يَّشَاۗءُ۝۰ۡۖ فَلَا تَذْہَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْہِمْ حَسَرٰتٍ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ عَلِـيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُوْنَ۝۸
Afaman zuyyina lahu sooo AAamalihi faraahu hasanan fainna Allaha yudillu man yashao wayahdee man yashao fala tathhab nafsuka AAalayhim hasaratin inna Allaha AAaleemun bima yasnaAAoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Can he, the evil of whose deed is made to look attractive to him so that he considers it good, (be like him who is guided)? God leads whosoever He please astray and guides whosoever He will. So do not waste away your self with grief for them. God is indeed cognisant of things they do.

8

وَاللہُ الَّذِيْۗ اَرْسَلَ الرِّيٰحَ فَتُـثِيْرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنٰہُ اِلٰى بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَاَحْيَيْنَا بِہِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِہَا۝۰ۭ كَذٰلِكَ النُّشُوْرُ۝۹
WaAllahu allathee arsala alrriyaha fatutheeru sahaban fasuqnahu ila baladin mayyitin faahyayna bihi alarda baAAda mawtiha kathalika alnnushooru

English

Ahmed Ali

It is God who sends the winds that raise the clouds. Then We drive the clouds towards the land that was dead, and restore the earth to life after it had died. So will be the Resurrection.

9

مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيْدُ الْعِزَّۃَ فَلِلّٰہِ الْعِزَّۃُ جَمِيْعًا۝۰ۭ اِلَيْہِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُہٗ۝۰ۭ وَ الَّذِيْنَ يَمْكُرُوْنَ السَّـيِّاٰتِ لَہُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيْدٌ۝۰ۭ وَمَكْرُ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ ہُوَ يَبُوْرُ۝۱۰
Man kana yureedu alAAizzata falillahi alAAizzatu jameeAAan ilayhi yasAAadu alkalimu alttayyibu waalAAamalu alssalihu yarfaAAuhu waallatheena yamkuroona alssayyiati lahum AAathabun shadeedun wamakru olaika huwa yabooru

English

Ahmed Ali

Whosoever desires honour (should remember) that all honour is with God. All good words ascend to Him, and all good deeds He exalts. As for those who are plotting evil, there is severe punishment for them, and their plots will be fruitless.

10

Surah Fatir Asbab al-Nuzul (Historical Background & Context)

Surah Fatir is a Maki surah, which means it was revealed before the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated to Madinah. Although Surah Fatir does not reference any particular event, it is thought to have been revealed in reaction to the overall climate of resistance and skepticism that the Prophet (ﷺ) faced during the mid-Makki era.

The themes discussed and highlighted within the surah suggest that it was revealed during a time of extreme opposition and resistance to the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mission in Makkah. This period saw the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers facing intense persecution from those who rejected Islam and the Prophet’s (ﷺ) teachings. Hostility had intensified and all kinds of schemes were being employed to hinder the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mission.

Surah Fatir warns against this rejection and resistance that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his followers had to endure throughout this period. It highlights the importance of accepting Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ Sovereignty, condemning shaitan, and fearing punishment for following the wrong path.

The Significance of Surah Fatir

Surah Fatir helps and motivates believers to become steadfast and enhance their faith as they develop inner peace. It strongly reminds us of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ Glory and Strength. It repeatedly highlights the importance of Tauhid in Islam and the consequences of disbelief and ignorance. Surah Fatir warns believers against the false hopes and urges of shaitan and the importance of always seeking refuge in Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Guidance and Mercy.

In addition, Surah Fatir serves as a reassurance for the Prophet (ﷺ), telling him that as long as he faithfully fulfills his mission, he will not be responsible for those who remain astray and refuse to accept Islam’s teachings. He has also been asked not to waste time and energy on those who bother him and to focus his attention on the believers and followers who are willing to listen to him.

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Fatir

The central themes of Surah Fatir are the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, the Afterlife, and the fight against idol worship. It discusses Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) ability to create, the significance of being thankful, and the repercussions of rejecting faith. Surah Fatir also addresses the temporary nature of this life and motivates believers to prepare for the Hereafter.

Moreover, the Surah talks about these ideas in detail:

  • Monotheism and the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى): Surah Fatir powerfully establishes the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and emphasizes that He is the Creator of everything. It highlights that He is the only source of strength, knowledge, and control.
  • Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Creative Might and Divine Insight: The surah emphasizes Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) unmatched creative might and the wisdom in creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. It encourages believers to look for signs of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) presence in nature.
  • The Significance of Thankfulness: Surah Fatir emphasizes appreciating Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) blessings, both physical and spiritual. It reminds believers that all provisions and rewards originate from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and thankfulness reflects our faith in Him.
  • The Significance of Belief and Surrender to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى): Surah Fatir urges followers to trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and to live their lives according to His desires. It highlights that genuine faith brings peace and prosperity in both this life and the Afterlife.
  • Effects of Disbelief: The surah warns against the risks of disbelief and being ungrateful, and also addresses the repercussions of deviating from Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) path.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Fatir

Surah Fatir motivates believers to strengthen their faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It motivates them to do good actions since these are important for achieving forgiveness and receiving a significant reward. Reciting and absorbing the meaning of Surah Fatir also helps believers stand firm in their faith and fear Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), His punishment.

In addition, Surah Fatir helps develop inner peace and reduces anxiety and stress. This is because it reassures believers of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) power and forgiveness. It reminds them of the Day of Judgment and that all their actions have consequences, so they must seek repentance and aim for righteousness.

It is reported in Majma' Al-Bayan (vol. 8, p. 624) that those who recite Sura Fatir will be offered three gates of Heaven on the Day of Judgement and they will be allowed to enter through any gate they choose.

Additionally, it is mentioned by Imam al-Sadiq (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) in Nur al-Thaqalayn (vol. 4, p. 345) that if a person recites Sura Fatir and Surah Saba at night, they will receive Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) protection. If these surahs are recited during the day, they will remain unharmed and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will bless them in this world and the Hereafter beyond their imagination.

Listen to Surah Fatir Recitations by Renowned Qaris

You can listen to Surah Fatir by some reknowned Qaris:

  • Recitation by Sheikh Abdur-Rahman As-Sudais
  • Recitation by Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al-Afasy
  • Recitation by Sheikh Yasser Al-Qurashi 
  • Recitation by Qari Shakir Qasmi
  • Recitation by Abdullah Al-Buaijan
  • Recitation by Muhammad Jibril

Download Surah Fatir PDF

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FAQs:

The term ‘Fatir’ means ‘The Creator’ or ‘The Originator’ in context to Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ authority as the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Surah Fatir has 45 verses.

Reciting and reflecting on Surah Fatir can promote spiritual growth, increase gratitude towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and help develop a better understanding of His wisdom and plans. 

You can recite Surah Fatir at any time. However, most people prefer to recite it in the early morning or in solitude due to its calming effects and spiritual uplifting qualities.

Reciting Surah Fatir daily will incur the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ and result in a deeper and stronger connection with Him.

Surah Fatir was revealed in response to the resistance and skepticism that the Prophet (ﷺ) and his followers faced during the mid-Makki era. It warns against the rejection and resistance faced by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and highlights the importance of turning towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, condemning shaitan, and fearing His punishment.