Discover Surah 36: Ya-Sin (Mystical Letters) with clear English translation and insightful comments. Explore its themes of divine revelation, resurrection, guidance, and the spiritual heart of the Holy Quran.
Surah 36: Ya-Sin (Mystical Letters)
Ya-Sin: Introduction
Surah Ya-Sin is the 36th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and contains 83 verses. This Surah is one of the most well-known and often-recited chapters of the Qur’an, and many scholars and believers refer to it as the “heart of the Qur’an.” Its title, Ya-Sin, comes from the two Arabic letters at the beginning of the Surah. These letters are among the mystical letters whose exact meaning is known only to Allah.
The Surah addresses key themes of Islamic belief, such as the truth of prophethood, the Oneness of Allah, the reality of life after death, and the Day of Judgment. It strongly confirms that the Qur’an is a divine revelation and that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was truly sent as a messenger to guide mankind.
Through parables—like the story of the messengers and the believer who came running to support them—the Surah illustrates how people respond to guidance: some accept it and are rewarded, while others reject it and are destroyed. It also highlights the many signs of Allah in nature, such as the cycle of life, the sun and the moon, and the fruits of the earth, all pointing to a Creator worthy of worship.
Surah Ya-Sin also describes scenes from the Resurrection, when the dead will be brought back to life and judged. It warns those who deny the truth and offers comfort and promise to the believers. The Surah ends by praising Allah’s absolute power—He only says “Be,” and it is.
Overall, Surah Ya-Sin is a powerful reminder of Allah’s mercy, justice, and control over all things. It encourages reflection, belief, and submission to the One who created us and to whom we will return.
Surah 36: Ya-Sin (Mystical Letters): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Ya-Sin.
(These are mystical letters whose exact meaning is known only to Allah.)
2. By the wise Qur’an,
3. You are truly one of the messengers,
4. On a straight path,
5. This is a revelation sent down by the Almighty, the Most Merciful,
6. So that you may warn a people whose ancestors were not warned, and who are therefore unaware.
7. The Word has indeed proven true against most of them, for they do not believe.
8. We have placed shackles around their necks that reach up to their chins, so their heads are held up high.
9. And We have placed a barrier in front of them and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them, so they cannot see.
10. It is the same whether you warn them or not—they will not believe.
11. You can only truly warn those who follow the Reminder (the Qur’an) and fear the Most Merciful even though they cannot see Him. So give them good news of forgiveness and a generous reward.
12. Surely We give life to the dead and record what they have sent ahead and what they left behind. Everything We have counted is in a clear book.
13. Give them the example of the people of the town, when messengers came to them.
14. We sent two messengers to them, but they rejected both. So We strengthened them with a third, and they all said, ‘We have truly been sent to you.’
15. But the people replied, ‘You are only human beings like us. The Most Merciful has not sent anything. You are only lying.’
16. The messengers said, ‘Our Lord knows that we have truly been sent to you.
17. And our only duty is to clearly deliver the message.’
18. The people said, ‘We see you as a bad omen. If you do not stop, we will stone you, and a painful punishment from us will touch you.’
19. The messengers replied, ‘Your bad omen is with you. Are you blaming us just because you were reminded of the truth? In fact, you are a people who go too far.’
20. Then a man came running from the farthest part of the city. He said, ‘O my people! Follow the messengers!
21. Follow those who ask no reward from you and are rightly guided.
22. Why should I not worship the One who created me, and to whom you will be returned?
23. Should I take other gods besides Him? If the Most Merciful wants to harm me, their intercession will be of no use, nor will they be able to save me.
24. In that case, I would clearly be in error.
25. Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!’
26. It was said to him, ‘Enter Paradise!’ He said, ‘If only my people knew,
27. How my Lord has forgiven me and made me one of the honored ones.’
28. We did not send down any army from the sky against his people after his death—nor did We need to.
29. There was only one mighty blast, and suddenly they were silenced and lifeless.
30. How regretful for those servants! No messenger ever came to them except that they used to mock him.
31. Do they not see how many generations We destroyed before them—those who never returned to them?
32. Every single one of them will surely be brought before Us.
33. A sign for them is the dead land: We bring it to life and produce from it grain, which they eat.
34. We have placed gardens of date palms and grapevines in it, and caused springs of water to flow through it,
35. So that they may eat from its fruit, which their hands did not make. Will they not be grateful?
36. Glory be to the One who created all things in pairs—of what the earth grows, of themselves, and of things they do not know.
37. Another sign for them is the night: We remove the daylight from it, and they are left in darkness.
38. And the sun runs its course toward its appointed place. That is the design of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.
39. And We have set phases for the moon, until it returns like the old curved date stalk.
40. It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor does the night overtake the day. Each one is floating in its own orbit.
41. Another sign for them is that We carried their ancestors in the fully loaded ship.
42. And We have created for them similar vessels to ride in.
43. If We wish, We can drown them, and then no one will hear their cries, nor will they be saved—
44. Except by mercy from Us and as a temporary enjoyment of life.
45. Yet when they are told, ‘Be mindful of what lies before you and what is behind you, so you may receive mercy,’ they pay no attention.
46. And whenever a sign from their Lord comes to them, they turn away from it.
47. And when they are told, ‘Give from what Allah has provided for you,’ the disbelievers say to the believers, ‘Should we feed those whom Allah could have fed, if He had willed? You are clearly in error.’
48. And they ask, ‘When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?’
49. They are only waiting for a single blast, which will catch them while they are arguing.
50. Then they will not be able to leave any will or return to their families.
51. The Trumpet will be blown, and they will rush out from their graves to their Lord.
52. They will say, ‘Woe to us! Who has raised us from our resting place?’ It will be said, ‘This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers spoke the truth.’
53. It will be only one blast, and suddenly they will all be brought before Us.
54. So today no soul will be wronged in the least, and you will only be repaid for what you used to do.
55. Surely the people of Paradise will be joyfully busy that Day,
56. They and their spouses will be in cool shade, reclining on beautiful couches.
57. They will have fruits and whatever they wish.
58. ‘Peace!’—a word from the Merciful Lord.
59. But He will say, ‘Step aside today, O you wicked ones!’
60. Did I not command you, O children of Adam, not to worship Satan—for he is clearly your enemy—
61. And to worship Me alone? This is the straight path.
62. Yet he (Satan) misled a great number of you. Did you not use your reason?
63. This is the Hell you were warned about.
64. Burn in it today because you used to deny the truth.
65. Today We will seal their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to what they used to do.
66. If We had willed, We could have blinded their eyes, so they would struggle to find the path—then how could they see?
67. And if We had willed, We could have transformed them where they stood, so they would be unable to go forward or return.
68. Whoever We grant a long life, We cause him to decline in strength and form. Will they not then understand?
69. We did not teach the Prophet poetry, nor is it fitting for him. This is only a reminder and a clear Qur’an,
70. So that he may warn whoever is alive, and so that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers.
71. Do they not see that We have created for them, with Our Own hands, cattle that they own?
72. We made them subservient to them—some they ride, and from some they eat.
73. They also have other benefits from them—milk, clothing, and many uses—and they drink from them. Will they not be thankful?
74. Yet they have taken other gods besides Allah, hoping they will help them.
75. But these false gods cannot help them. In fact, they themselves are brought forward like prisoners.
76. So do not let their words grieve you. We certainly know what they hide and what they reveal.
77. Does man not see that We created him from a drop of fluid? Yet suddenly he becomes a clear opponent!
78. He puts forth arguments against Us and forgets his own creation. He says, ‘Who will bring the dead back to life after they have turned to dust?’
79. Say: ‘The One who created them the first time will bring them back to life. He has perfect knowledge of every creation.’
80. He is the One who gives you fire from green trees—then look! You burn with it.
81. Is not the One who created the heavens and the earth able to create the likes of them again? Of course! He is the Supreme Creator, the All-Knowing.
82. His command, when He wants something, is only to say to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.
83. So glory be to the One in whose hand is the control of all things. And to Him you will all be returned. 0 0 0
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Ya-Sin: Comment
Surah Ya-Sin is one of the most moving and spiritually powerful chapters of the Qur’an. It captures the essence of the Qur’anic message in a beautifully structured way. The Surah begins by confirming that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is truly sent by Allah and that the Qur’an is full of wisdom. This alone reminds us of the great favor Allah has given to humanity by sending guidance.
The Surah then draws our attention to the repeated pattern of how people reject the truth when it is brought to them—just like the people of the town who rejected their messengers. Yet in the middle of rejection and disbelief, we are given the shining example of the believing man who stood up for the truth, even though it cost him his life. His words of faith and his reward of Paradise serve as a lesson for all of us.
Throughout the Surah, Allah invites us to reflect on the signs in nature: the dead earth brought back to life with rain, the sun and moon moving in perfect harmony, and the ships sailing across the sea. These are not just natural wonders, but proofs of Allah’s creative power and mercy.
The second half of the Surah focuses on the Day of Judgment—when the trumpet will be blown, people will rise from their graves, and every soul will face its deeds. The scenes of reward for the people of Paradise and punishment for the wrongdoers are described vividly. It teaches us that we are responsible for our own choices. Even our own hands and feet will testify on that Day.
Surah Ya-Sin ends by reminding us of Allah’s absolute authority: He only says “Be,” and it becomes. It closes with a powerful declaration that all control is in Allah’s hand and to Him we will all return.
This Surah strengthens our belief, renews our sense of purpose, and calls us to stay true to the path of Allah. It comforts the heart, awakens the soul, and reminds us of both the reality of the Hereafter and the greatness of our Creator. 0 0 0
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 36: Ya-Sin
Q1. What is Surah Ya-Sin about?
Ans: Surah Ya-Sin emphasizes the truth of divine revelation, the certainty of resurrection, Allah’s creative power, and the consequences of belief and disbelief.
Q2. Why is Surah 36 called Ya-Sin?
Ans: It is named after its opening mystical letters “Ya-Sin”, which are among the disjointed letters in the Quran whose precise meaning is known only to Allah.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Ya-Sin?
Ans: Surah Ya-Sin consists of 83 verses.
Q4. Where was Surah Ya-Sin revealed?
Ans: It was revealed in Makkah, focusing on matters of faith, the afterlife, and Allah’s signs in creation.
Q5. Why is Surah Ya-Sin called the “heart of the Quran”?
Ans: Scholars and traditions describe it as the “heart of the Quran” because of its powerful summary of key Quranic themes such as divine revelation, resurrection, and eternal reward or punishment.
Q6. What are the main themes of Surah Ya-Sin?
Ans: Its themes include the truth of the Prophet’s message, Allah’s creative power, the signs in nature, resurrection, accountability, and the fate of past nations.
Q7. What lessons can be learned from Surah Ya-Sin?
Ans: It teaches us to reflect on Allah’s signs, prepare for the afterlife, stay firm in faith, and remember that disbelief leads to loss while belief leads to salvation.
Q8. Does Surah Ya-Sin mention resurrection?
Ans: Yes, it strongly affirms resurrection and life after death, reminding humans that Allah will revive them just as He created them in the first place.
Q9. What is the significance of the story of the town in Surah Ya-Sin?
Ans: The story of the town highlights the rejection of messengers by a people, the courage of a believer who supported them, and the consequences of disbelief.
Q10. How does Surah Ya-Sin connect to daily life?
Ans: It reminds believers to trust in divine guidance, live with gratitude, prepare for accountability, and see Allah’s power in creation and everyday blessings. 0 0 0
