Surah Qaf (ق) is named after the letter ‘qāf,’ which opens the chapter and does not have any clear meaning. The ‘qāf’ here is one of the mysterious letters or ‘Muqatta’at’ of the Holy Quran. While some scholars try to attribute meanings to such letters, the general consensus is that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) alone knows what they signify.
This surah is in Juz 26 of the holy Quran and is the start of the last (seventh) manzil of the Quran. It is also the 50th chapter and contains 45 verses within 3 Rukus. The surah was revealed in Mecca before the hijrah or migration to Medina occurred. There isn’t any reliable source that shows how and when it came down. However, the subject matter shows that the revelation might have come during the fifth year of Prophethood. At this point, there was antagonism against the Muslims. However, things had not become so unbearable that they had to consider migration just yet. The verses in Surah Qaf are more about warning the disbelievers and stating the consequences of their actions.
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50 - Qaf
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While the exact period of revelation of Surah Qaf cannot be ascertained, the majority of scholars are of the opinion that it must have been sent down during the early phase of the Prophet's life in Mecca, most probably in the fourth or fifth year of the Prophethood. It was the time when the disbelievers of Quraysh of Mecca were openly and severely opposing the Prophethood and the Quranic revelations, but till that time, their opposition had not converted into tyranny. By that time, they were denying the basic concepts of Islam, such as monotheism (Tawheed), Prophethood, the truth of revelations, and the Day of Resurrection. Side by side, they were also mocking the Prophet about the concept of resurrection. They were unable to understand or were just trying to deny it, that when anyone dies, their body disintegrates and is scattered and mixed with the earth, and how it can be resurrected. Hence, they not only rejected the concept of life hereafter but also mocked the Prophet, who consistently preached it.
Surah Qaf was particularly revealed to directly address this wrong perception of the disbelievers. In this context, Surah Qaf gives clear and undeniable examples from nature and the universe, narrating the Authority and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, about how He Created the Universe, including the earth and the heavens in six days. Simultaneously, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is also consoled by narrating the examples of previous nations, who also rejected the Prophets sent to them, and how they were punished by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for their disbelieving attitude.
In short, Surah Qaf was revealed to address the following:
Like many other Meccan Surahs of the earlier phases of the Prophethood, Surah Qaf was also revealed with a specific purpose of establishing the core beliefs of Islam, Tawheed (monotheism), and the reality of the Prophethood, with special emphasis on the inevitability of the Day of Resurrection.
Surah Qaf is a Makki Surah. It was revealed during the early years of the Prophet’s mission in Mecca.
Surah Qaf is the 50th Surah of the Quran. It is placed in the 26th Juzz (Para). It comes after Surah Al-Hujurat and before Surah Ad-Dhariyat. It is the 34th Surah in the order of revelation, whereas it falls at number 50 in the sequence of recitation.
Surah Qaf has very special significance in the spiritual and practical aspects of Islamic society. It holds a special status, being the Surah that clarifies and establishes some of the core Islamic beliefs.
The significance of Surah Qaf can be summarized as follows:
Translation - Amra, daughter of Abd al-Rahman reported on the authority of the sister of Amra: I memorised (surah) "Qaf, by the glorious Qur'an" from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on Friday for he recited it on the pulpit on every Friday.
Hence, reciting it so often, especially on Friday, is highly virtuous, as following an act of Sunnah.
Surah Qaf holds an important position according to several authentic traditions. If we study this surah carefully, we can extract certain themes and essential lessons from it. Let’s discuss some of these below:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) began spreading the word of Islam, people were very surprised to hear that there would be life after death. They had always placed too much importance on worldly life and didn’t realize that there would be an accounting of their actions. As a result, they deemed the Hereafter as an impossible thing that the human brain could not comprehend. They would say that when bodies have disintegrated, how can they be put together again?
In response, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) send down this message in Surah Qaf. Here, we have several signs that show the reality and possibility of life after death. The verses are mostly short sentences to enhance the understanding of the disbelievers. Moreover, the message clearly states that in spite of all the denials and doubt, the truth will never change. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is aware of each particle of each body. It requires just one signal from Him, and all the bodies will rise up as they were.
The surah also says that humans have to be answerable for their actions in this world. We have not been set free to do as we like but to act responsibly and according to Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wishes. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is aware of every act, word, and idea that is connected to us. Additionally, there are angels recording everything we say and do. This detail of our actions will be presented before Allah on the day of Judgment, and Allah will assign a person to hell or heaven based on the deeds of a human in the world.
When the Day of Judgement comes, one call will be enough to summon each body out of its grave. At that point, there will be no barrier to anyone’s vision, and everyone will see what they have been denying. Heaven, hell, and all consequences will become realities, with worldly life becoming a distant dream.
Surah Qaf was revealed to show the disbelievers that they would be called to account for their deeds. There will be consequences to face in the Hereafter, whether they accept this truth or not. Today, we can remind ourselves of these lessons when reciting and studying this surah. Several authentic traditions tell us how the Prophet (ﷺ) would regularly recite this surah at various points. According to some sources, the recitation can soften the heart and bring a believer closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
One Hadith that mentions this surah is included in Sahih Muslims. It is narrated by ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdillah, who reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab asked Abu Waaqid al-Laythi: What did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in [the prayer of Eid] al-Adha and al-Fitr? He said: He used to recite in them Surah Qaf and Surah Al-Qamar” [Muslim 891]
Another Hadith states that Umm Hishaam bint Haarithah ibn an-Nu‘maan said: ‘I only memorized Qaaf from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he recited it in his khutbah every Friday.’ [Muslim 873]
One reason why the Prophet (ﷺ) chose to recite Surah Qaf so frequently was its warnings of death, resurrection, and accountability. Some state that reciting at least a part of Surah Qaf is necessary in each Khutbah. With this inclusion, every Muslim will get a reminder about the Hereafter. This way, we will be less likely to get caught up in worldly activities or snatch someone’s rights from them.
It is highly important and a sensitive matter to recite the Quranic verses correctly. But sometimes it is quite difficult to follow the correct pronunciation, especially for a non-Arabic-speaking person. In this context, listening to the recitation of the Quran by an authentic reciter (Qari) might be very helpful. Additionally, sometimes one may just want to listen to the Quran instead of reading it on one's own.
The website and mobile application of the MuslimandQuran are the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by renowned and most authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops quite easily. 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 Qaf.
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The MuslimandQuran website and mobile application offer the option to read the Quran online, but if you prefer to read it offline, you can also download it as a PDF for your convenience.
You can download Surah Qaf in PDF by following these simple steps:
Qaf (قٓ) is an Arabic alphabet. In the context of Surah Qaf, this letter appears at the beginning of this Surah and falls under the category of "mysterious letters" (huruf-e-Muqatta'at). The meanings and purpose of these letters are only known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Surah Qaf has 45 verses.
The recitation of Surah Qaf is not associated with any specific time; it can be recited anytime during the day or night, per your convenience. However, being a Sunnah, it may bring benefits when recited during prayers.
Yes, Hadith 872a of Sahih Muslim narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ often recited this Surah in the Friday sermon.
Surah Qaf is believed to have been revealed during the early phase of the Prophet’s mission in Mecca, most probably during the fourth or fifth year after his Prophethood. At that time, the disbelievers of Mecca were consistently denying and rejecting the core beliefs of Islam, such as Tawheed (monotheism) and the reality of the Day of Resurrection. Moreover, they also used to raise baseless objections on the life hereafter on the plea that when someone dies, it is not possible that they might be resurrected after hundreds and thousands of years. This Surah was specifically sent down to address this matter. In this context, the Surah emphasizes the Authority and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ by giving examples from nature and His Creations, such as the earth and heavens. It is established in this Surah that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has Created humans, and it is very much in His absolute authority to raise them once again on the Day of Resurrection to face the inevitable accountability, which will be entirely based on their deeds, done by them in their worldly life. In this context, the scenario of the Day of Judgement is also mentioned, declaring that those who disbelieved will be sent to hellfire and those who done good deeds in this world will be sent to live in Paradise forever. Here, they will be rewarded above their expectations and far beyond their comprehension. Simultaneously, the examples of the previous nations are also briefly mentioned, emphasizing that those who rejected their Prophets were put to face the punishment. Narrating these examples is also a sort of consolation and encouragement for the Prophet to continue his mission.