Surah Al-Ma’arij – English Translation

Basic Surah Info

Surah Number – 70
Number of Ayah – 44
Revealed City – Mecca
Juz Details – Juz 29 Ayah 1-44
Starting Page Number – 568th Page
Translated By Mustafa Khattab

Summary of Surah Al-Ma’arij

Surah Al-Ma’arij, the 70th surah of the Quran, addresses the Day of Judgment, the concept of divine punishment, and the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of trials. It derives its name from the mention of “Al-Ma’arij” (the Ascending Stairways) in the surah. It consists of 44 verses.

The surah begins by describing the process of angels ascending to Allah, signifying the magnitude and significance of the Day of Judgment. It emphasizes that the Day of Judgment is a fixed event decreed by Allah and that no one can escape it.

Surah Al-Ma’arij highlights the behavior of those who ridicule the believers, reject the truth, and engage in sinful actions. It warns them of the consequences they will face on the Day of Judgment. It emphasizes that Allah is aware of their deeds and will hold them accountable.

The surah highlights the attributes of the believers who strive to fulfill their obligations to Allah and lead a righteous life. It emphasizes the importance of establishing regular prayer and giving charity, and it encourages believers to maintain their prayers with patience and dedication.

Surah Al-Ma’arij emphasizes the concept of divine punishment and its inevitability for those who persist in their disbelief and wrongdoing. It describes the punishment as severe and encompassing, warning that it will not be averted once it is decreed.

The surah emphasizes the significance of patience and perseverance in the face of trials and challenges. It reminds believers that their patience will be rewarded and that Allah is fully aware of their struggles.

Surah Al-Ma’arij also highlights the characteristics of the righteous individuals who fear Allah and strive to purify themselves. It describes their virtues and emphasizes their commitment to honesty, trustworthiness, and fulfilling their promises.

The surah concludes by affirming the authority and power of Allah as the ultimate Judge and the Owner of all creation. It reminds believers that they will be held accountable for their actions and that they should seek forgiveness and guidance from Allah.

In summary, Surah Al-Ma’arij addresses the Day of Judgment and the concept of divine punishment. It warns those who reject the truth and engage in sinful actions of the consequences they will face. The surah emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance and highlights the virtues of the believers. It serves as a reminder of the accountability of individuals, the significance of fulfilling one’s obligations to Allah, and the need for seeking forgiveness and guidance.

Read English Translated Version of Surah Al-Ma’arij

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

1. A challenger has demanded a punishment bound to come

2. for the disbelievers—to be averted by none—

3. from Allah, Lord of pathways of ˹heavenly˺ ascent,

4. ˹through which˺ the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit will ascend to Him on a Day fifty thousand years in length.

5. So endure ˹this denial, O Prophet,˺ with beautiful patience.

6. They truly see this ˹Day˺ as impossible,

7. but We see it as inevitable.

8. On that Day the sky will be like molten brass

9. and the mountains like ˹tufts of˺ wool.

10. And no close friend will ask ˹about˺ their friends,

11. ˹although˺ they will be made to see each other. The wicked will wish to ransom themselves from the punishment of that Day by their children,

12. their spouses, their siblings,

13. their clan that sheltered them,

14. and everyone on earth altogether, just to save themselves.

15. But no! There will certainly be a raging Flame

16. ripping off scalps.

17. It will summon whoever turned their backs ˹on Allah˺ and turned away ˹from the truth˺,

18. and gathered and hoarded ˹wealth˺.

19. Indeed, humankind was created impatient:

20. distressed when touched with evil,

21. and withholding when touched with good—

22. except those who pray,

23. consistently performing their prayers;

24. and who give the rightful share of their wealth

25. to the beggar and the poor;

26. and who ˹firmly˺ believe in the Day of Judgment;

27. and those who fear the punishment of their Lord—

28. ˹knowing that˺ none should feel secure from their Lord’s punishment—

29. and those who guard their chastity

30. except with their wives or those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, for then they are free from blame,

31. but whoever seeks beyond that are the transgressors.

32. ˹The faithful are˺ also those who are true to their trusts and covenants;

33. and who are honest in their testimony;

34. and who are ˹properly˺ observant of their prayers.

35. These will be in Gardens, held in honour.

36. So what is the matter with the disbelievers that they rush ˹head-long˺ towards you ˹O Prophet˺,

37. from the right and the left, in groups ˹to mock you˺?

38. Does every one of them expect to be admitted into a Garden of Bliss?

39. But no! Indeed, they ˹already˺ know what We created them from.

40. So, I do swear by the Lord of ˹all˺ the points of sunrise and sunset that We are truly capable

41. of replacing them with ˹others˺ better than them, and We cannot be prevented ˹from doing so˺.

42. So let them indulge ˹in falsehood˺ and amuse ˹themselves˺ until they face their Day, which they have been threatened with—

43. the Day they will come forth from the graves swiftly, as if racing to an idol ˹for a blessing˺,

44. with eyes downcast, utterly covered with disgrace. That is the Day they have ˹always˺ been warned of.

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