Read Surah 15: Al-Ḥijr (The Rocky Tract) with English translation. Explore its message of divine guidance, the fate of past nations, and the protection of the Quran.
Surah: 15 – Al-Ḥijr (The Rocky Tract)
Introduction
Surah Al-Ḥijr is a Makki surah, revealed during a period of intense resistance to the Prophet Muhammad’s message. It takes its name from ‘Al-Ḥijr’, a rocky region in Arabia inhabited by the Thamūd, an ancient people known for carving homes into mountains — and for rejecting their prophet Ṣāliḥ. Their fate, like that of earlier nations, is referenced as a warning to the deniers of truth.
This surah strongly emphasizes:
- The divine origin and protection of the Qur’an (verse 9)
- The stories of past nations who denied God’s messengers, including the people of Lot, the Thamūd, and the companions of the forest
- The creation of man and the fall of Iblīs (Satan) for refusing to bow to Adam
- A reminder of the transience of worldly pleasures and the certainty of the afterlife
- Comfort and assurance to the Prophet urging him to remain patient and steadfast in the face of mockery and disbelief
The surah is both warning and reassurance — warning to those who turn away from divine guidance, and reassurance to the believers that truth will prevail, and God’s promise is sure. 0 0 0
Surah 15: Al-Ḥijr (The Rocky Tract): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. These are the verses of the Book, and a clear Qur’an.
2. The time will come when the disbelievers will wish they had submitted to Allah.
3. Leave them to eat, enjoy themselves, and be distracted by false hopes. Soon they will know.
4. We never destroyed a town without having a known time fixed for it.
5. No nation can advance its appointed time, nor delay it.
6. They say, “O you to whom the Reminder is sent down, you are truly mad.”
7. “Why do you not bring us the angels, if you are truthful?”
8. We do not send down angels except with justice, and when they come, people will not be given more time.
9. Surely, We have revealed the Reminder, and surely We will protect it.
10. We sent messengers before you among the earlier peoples.
11. But no messenger ever came to them except that they mocked him.
12. This is how We let mockery enter into the hearts of sinners.
13. They do not believe in it, though the fate of the earlier people has already passed.
14. Even if We opened a gate for them into the sky and they kept ascending through it,
15. They would still say, “Our eyes have been dazzled. Rather, we are bewitched.”
16. We have placed great constellations in the sky and adorned it for those who look.
17. We have protected it from every evil devil.
18. Except one who steals a hearing; then a clear flame pursues him.
19. And the earth – We have spread it out and set firm mountains upon it, and caused everything to grow in balance.
20. We made provisions for you in it, and also for those you do not provide for.
21. There is not a single thing but its treasures are with Us, and We send it down only in due measure.
22. We send the winds to fertilize, and We send down water from the sky for you to drink – you could not store it.
23. Surely it is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.
24. We already know those of you who go forward and those who stay behind.
25. Surely your Lord will gather them all together. He is All-Wise, All-Knowing.
26. We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape.
27. And We created the jinn earlier, from smokeless fire.
28. Remember when your Lord said to the angels, “I will create a human being from sounding clay, from shaped mud.”
29. “So when I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down before him in prostration.”
30. So the angels all prostrated together,
31. Except Iblis. He refused to be among those who bowed down.
32. Allah said, “O Iblis, what is the matter with you that you are not among those who bow?”
33. He said, “I will not bow before a human You created from clay, from shaped mud.”
34. Allah said, “Then get out from here, for you are cursed.”
35. “And surely upon you will be the curse until the Day of Judgment.”
36. He said, “My Lord, give me respite until the day they are raised up.”
37. Allah said, “You are of those given respite,
38. Until the Day of the appointed time.”
39. He said, “My Lord, because You misled me, I will make evil seem attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all,
40. Except Your chosen servants among them.”
41. Allah said, “This is a straight path to Me.
42. You will have no power over My servants, except those who follow you of their own choice.
43. Surely Hell is the promised place for them all.
44. It has seven gates; each gate has its share assigned.”
45. Surely the righteous will be in gardens and springs.
46. They will be told, “Enter in peace and security.”
47. We will remove whatever hatred is in their hearts. They will be like brothers, sitting on thrones facing each other.
48. No fatigue will touch them there, and they will never be driven out.
49. Tell My servants that I am the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
50. And that My punishment is the painful punishment.
51. Tell them about the guests of Abraham.
52. When they entered upon him and said, “Peace,” he said, “We feel uneasy about you.”
53. They said, “Do not fear. We give you good news of a wise son.”
54. He said, “Do you bring me good news, though old age has touched me? What good news do you bring?”
55. They said, “We bring you good news in truth, so do not despair.”
56. He said, “Who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?”
57. He said, “What is your mission, O messengers?”
58. They said, “We have been sent to a guilty people,
59. Except the family of Lot – We will save them all,
60. Except his wife. We have decreed that she will remain behind.”
61. When the messengers came to Lot’s people,
62. He said, “You are strangers to me.”
63. They said, “No, we have come to you with that which they used to doubt.
64. We bring you the truth, and we speak the truth.
65. So travel with your family in the night, and follow behind them. Let none of you look back, but go where you are commanded.”
66. We gave him Our command, that the roots of those people would be cut off by morning.
67. And the people of the city came to him, rejoicing.
68. He said, “These are my guests, so do not shame me.
69. And fear Allah, and do not disgrace me.”
70. They said, “Did we not forbid you from protecting people?”
71. He said, “Here are my daughters, if you must do something.”
72. By your life, they were wandering blindly in their intoxication.
73. So the blast seized them at sunrise.
74. And We turned their city upside down and rained upon them stones of baked clay.
75. Surely in this are signs for those who see.
76. And surely it lies on a clear highway.
77. Surely in that is a sign for the believers.
78. And the people of the forest were also wrongdoers.
79. So We took vengeance on them. And indeed both of them are clear examples.
80. And the people of Al-Hijr also denied the messengers.
81. We gave them Our signs, but they turned away from them.
82. They used to carve homes in the mountains, living securely.
83. But the blast seized them in the morning.
84. What they used to earn did not help them.
85. We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except with truth. And surely the Hour will come, so forgive with gracious forgiveness.
86. Surely your Lord is the Creator, the All-Knowing.
87. We have given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the great Qur’an.
88. Do not stretch your eyes toward what We have given to certain groups of them to enjoy, nor grieve for them, but lower your wing to the believers.
89. And say, “I am the clear warner.”
90. Just as We sent punishment upon those who divided,
91. Those who broke the Qur’an into parts.
92. By your Lord, We will surely question them all,
93. About what they used to do.
94. So proclaim openly what you are commanded, and turn away from the polytheists.
95. Surely We are enough for you against those who mock,
96. Those who set up another god with Allah – they will soon know.
97. We certainly know that your heart is distressed by what they say.
98. So glorify your Lord with praise, and be among those who bow down.
99. And worship your Lord until certainty (death) comes to you.
Comment
Surah Al-Ḥijr is a powerful reminder of the unchanging nature of truth and the fate of those who deny it. Through vivid historical examples — the people of Lot, the Thamūd, and others — Allah warns that arrogance and mockery toward revelation lead to destruction, no matter how mighty a nation may appear. Their ruins serve as visible signs on well-traveled paths, yet people still pass by without reflection.
At the same time, the surah is a profound source of comfort for believers, especially for Prophet Muhammad (S) during the early, difficult days in Makkah. Allah promises that He Himself has taken on the responsibility of protecting the Qur’an (verse 9), and reassures the Prophet that mockery and opposition are nothing new — every messenger faced it.
One of the central lessons of the surah is to stay firm in the face of disbelief, to trust in God’s plan, and to understand that true success lies in the hereafter. The closing verse (99) summarizes the attitude of the believer: “Worship your Lord until what is certain (death) comes to you.”
Surah Al-Ḥijr challenges the heart to reflect, the mind to remember, and the soul to submit. 0 0 0
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Surah Al-Hijr: Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Al-Ḥijr
Q1. What is Surah Al-Ḥijr about?
Surah Al-Ḥijr discusses the stories of past prophets, the fate of disbelievers, the creation of humankind and jinn, and Allah’s promise to preserve the Qur’an.
Q2. Why is this Surah called Al-Ḥijr (The Rocky Tract)?
It is named after the rocky region of Al-Ḥijr where the people of Thamud lived. They carved homes into mountains but still rejected the message of Prophet Salih.
Q3. What is the central message of Surah Al-Ḥijr?
The Surah emphasizes that divine guidance is a mercy, the Qur’an is protected from corruption, and disbelievers will face the consequences of denial.
Q4. Which verse of Surah Al-Ḥijr assures the protection of the Qur’an?
Verse 9: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
Q5. How does Surah Al-Ḥijr describe the creation of humans and jinn?
Humans were created from sounding clay of altered black mud, while jinn were created from smokeless fire.
Q6. What was Iblis’ reason for refusing to bow before Adam?
Iblis argued that he was superior because he was created from fire, while Adam was created from clay.
Q7. Which past communities are mentioned in Surah Al-Ḥijr?
The people of Thamud, the people of Prophet Lot, and the people of Prophet Ibrahim are mentioned as examples of past nations that faced divine punishment.
Q8. What punishment came upon the people of Lot?
They were destroyed by a rain of stones after rejecting the warning and committing immoral acts.
Q9. How does Surah Al-Ḥijr describe Allah’s mercy?
It states that Allah’s mercy encompasses everything, but His punishment is also severe for those who reject the truth.
Q10. What guidance is given to the Prophet Muhammad in the Surah’s conclusion?
He is advised to remain patient, worship Allah, and not be distressed by the denial and mockery of the disbelievers. 0 0 0
Echoes of Surah Al-Ḥijr
In the pages of light, a story is told,
Of nations forgotten, of hearts grown cold.
Surah Al-Ḥijr speaks, with warnings clear,
A message eternal for all to hear.
The rocky tract where Thamud once stayed,
Carved out mountains, yet still betrayed.
Strength of stone could not defend,
When truth was mocked and came their end.
Surah Al-Ḥijr declares the Word divine,
A Book preserved for all of time.
“No hand shall alter, no tongue mislead,
For I am its Guardian,” Allah decreed.
From sounding clay, mankind was made,
A breath of life in form was laid.
From smokeless fire, the jinn took birth,
Two creations upon this earth.
Surah Al-Ḥijr recalls Iblis’s pride,
Who in arrogance God’s command denied.
“From fire am I, from clay is he,
Why bow to Adam, less than me?”
But pride destroys, and envy blinds,
It chains the heart, it binds the mind.
So Iblis fell, a cursed decree,
His path for hell, for all to see.
Prophets were sent with wisdom’s flame,
Each called their people in Allah’s name.
Yet Surah Al-Ḥijr shows how they replied,
With mockery, laughter, and stubborn pride.
Ibrahim welcomed angels bright,
With news of mercy, with news of light.
Yet Lot wept sore as his people sinned,
And a rain of stones brought their end.
The heavens guard with stars that shine,
Signs of power, both fierce and kind.
Surah Al-Ḥijr paints the night sky’s view,
A shield for man, a path so true.
The winds bring rain, the seeds take root,
The gardens flourish, they bear their fruit.
But those who turn from Allah’s way,
Find fleeting joy, then waste away.
“Worship your Lord, and patient be,
For time reveals His destiny.
The truth will last, though mocked today,
Surah Al-Ḥijr shows the way.”
So hear the call, O soul that yearns,
The mercy vast, the justice stern.
Hold to the Book, its verses near,
A timeless guide, a voice sincere.
Surah Al-Ḥijr, a lesson deep,
For hearts awake and eyes that weep.
The rocky tract still speaks, still cries,
That truth remains, while falsehood dies. 0 0 0
