Surah Ash-Shams – English Translation

Basic Surah Info

Surah Number – 91
Number of Ayah – 15
Revealed City – Mecca
Juz Details – Juz 30 Ayah 1-15
Starting Page Number – 595th Page
Translated By Mustafa Khattab

Summary of Surah Ash-Shams

Surah Ash-Shams, the 91st surah of the Quran, draws attention to the transformative power of the soul and emphasizes the importance of righteousness and self-discipline. It uses the natural phenomenon of the sun as a metaphor to convey its message. It consists of 15 verses.

The surah begins by swearing oaths by the sun and its brightness, highlighting its significance as a symbol of divine creation and guidance.

Surah Ash-Shams then explores the concept of the soul and its potential for good and evil. It highlights the inherent inclination within each soul towards righteousness and corruption, and the responsibility of individuals to purify and nurture their souls.

The surah provides examples of individuals and nations who embraced righteousness and those who deviated from the right path. It mentions the story of Thamud, who rejected the message of Prophet Salih, and the punishment that befell them as a consequence of their transgressions.

Surah Ash-Shams emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and self-control. It encourages individuals to resist their base desires and inclinations, and instead, strive towards righteousness and piety.

The surah concludes by highlighting the ultimate success and failure of individuals based on their choices and actions. It emphasizes that those who purify and develop their souls will attain eternal happiness and success, while those who allow their souls to be corrupted will face consequences and remorse.

In summary, Surah Ash-Shams uses the metaphor of the sun to convey the message of the transformative power of the soul. It emphasizes the importance of righteousness, self-discipline, and self-control. The surah warns against the consequences of deviating from the right path and highlights the ultimate success and failure of individuals based on their choices and actions. It encourages individuals to nurture and purify their souls to attain eternal happiness and success.

Read English Translated Version of Surah Ash-Shams

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

1. By the sun and its brightness,

2. and the moon as it follows it,

3. and the day as it unveils it,

4. and the night as it conceals it!

5. And by heaven and ˹the One˺ Who built it,

6. and the earth and ˹the One˺ Who spread it!

7. And by the soul and ˹the One˺ Who fashioned it,

8. then with ˹the knowledge of˺ right and wrong inspired it!

9. Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul,

10. and doomed is the one who corrupts it!

11. Thamûd rejected ˹the truth˺ out of arrogance,

12. when the most wicked of them was roused ˹to kill the she-camel˺.

13. But the messenger of Allah warned them, “˹Do not disturb˺ Allah’s camel and her ˹turn to˺ drink!”

14. Still they defied him and slaughtered her. So their Lord crushed them for their crime, levelling all to the ground.

15. He has no fear of consequences.

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