Ṣãd (Surah 38)
Ṣãd (Ṣãd)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This sûrah is perceived as a continuation of the previous sûrah since it mentions some prophets that are not mentioned there—such as David, Solomon, and Job. Again, the pagans are condemned for denying the oneness of Allah, rejecting the Prophet (ﷺ) as ‘a magician, a total liar,’ and for claiming that the world was created without purpose. Reference is made to the creation of Adam (ﷺ) and the enmity Satan has for him and his descendants (verses 71-85), and the punishment awaiting the misleaders and their followers (verses 55-64), contrasted with the bliss in store for the righteous (verses 49-54). The end of this sûrah emphasizes the universality of the Quran whereas the beginning of the next speaks of its divine nature.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Arab Deniers
1. Ṣãd. By the Quran, full of reminders! 2. (This is the truth,) yet the disbelievers are (entrenched) in arrogance and opposition. 3. (Imagine) how many peoples We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was too late to escape. 4. Now, the pagans are astonished that a warner has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, “This is a magician, a total liar! 5. Has he reduced (all) the gods to One God? Indeed, this is something totally astonishing.”
Surah 38 - Ṣãd (Ṣãd) - Verses 1-5
Chief Deniers
6. The chiefs among them went forth saying, “Carry on, and stand firm in devotion to your gods. Certainly this is just a scheme (for power). 7. We have never heard of this in the previous faith. This is nothing but a fabrication. 8. Has the Reminder been revealed (only) to him out of (all of) us?” In fact, they are (only) in doubt of My (revealed) Reminder. In fact, (they do so because) they have not yet tasted My punishment. 9. Or (is it because) they possess the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord—the Almighty, the Giver (of all bounties). 10. Or (is it because) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in between belongs to them? Let them then climb their way (to heaven, if their claim is true).
Surah 38 - Ṣãd (Ṣãd) - Verses 6-10
Warning to the Deniers
11. This is just another (enemy) force bound for defeat out there. 12. Before them, the people of Noah denied (the truth), as did ’Âd, Pharaoh of the mighty structures, 13. Thamûd, the people of Lot, and the residents of the Forest. These were (all) enemy forces. 14. Each rejected their messenger, so My punishment was justified. 15. These (pagans) are awaiting nothing but a single Blast that cannot be stopped. 16. They say (mockingly), “Our Lord! Hasten for us our share (of the punishment) before the Day of Reckoning.”
Surah 38 - Ṣãd (Ṣãd) - Verses 11-16
Prophet David
17. Be patient (O Prophet) with what they say. And remember Our servant, David, the man of strength. Indeed, he (constantly) turned (to Allah). 18. We truly subjected the mountains to hymn (Our praises) along with him in the evening and after sunrise. 19. And (We subjected) the birds, flocking together. All turned to him (echoing his hymns). 20. We strengthened his kingship, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment.