Read the clear and fine English translation of Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills), Chapter 46 of the Holy Quran, revealing divine guidance on faith, patience, the fate of past nations, and the eternal truth of monotheism.
Surah 46: Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills)
Al-Ahqaf: Introduction
Surah Al-Ahqaf, the 46th chapter of the Qur’an, is a Makkan surah revealed in the later period of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission in Makkah. The name Al-Ahqaf means “The Wind-Curved Sandhills” and refers to the region inhabited by the ancient people of ‘Ad, who were destroyed for rejecting their prophet Hud (peace be upon him). This surah addresses the core beliefs of Islam — the oneness of Allah, the truth of revelation, the reality of resurrection, and the consequences of arrogance and disbelief.
It contains reminders from history, including the fate of past nations and a remarkable incident when a group of jinn heard the Qur’an and believed in it. It also emphasizes steadfastness in faith, kindness to parents, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. 0 0 0
Surah 46: Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Ha-Meem. (Mysterious letters, known in meaning only to Allah.)
2. The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
3. We did not create the heavens, the earth, and everything between them except in truth and for a fixed term. Yet those who disbelieve turn away from the warnings they are given.
4. Say, “Have you considered those you call upon besides Allah? Show me what they have created on earth, or do they have any share in creating the heavens? Bring me a scripture revealed before this, or some trace of knowledge, if you are truthful.”
5. Who could be more astray than one who calls on others besides Allah — others who will never answer them, and are completely unaware of their calls?
6. And when the people are gathered, those they invoked will become their enemies and will reject their worship.
7. When Our clear revelations are recited to them, the disbelievers say, “This is nothing but obvious magic.”
8. Or they say, “He has fabricated it.” Say, “If I have fabricated it, you will have no power to protect me from Allah. He knows best what you say about it and what you conceal. He is sufficient as a witness between me and you, and He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
9. Say, “I am not the first of the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me, and I am only a clear warner.”
10. Say, “Consider: if it is from Allah and you disbelieve in it, while a witness from the Children of Israel has already testified to something similar and believed, and you acted arrogantly — surely Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
11. The disbelievers say about the believers, “If it had been good, they would not have preceded us to it.” Since they are not guided by it, they will say, “This is an ancient falsehood.”
12. Yet before it was the Scripture of Moses as a guide and mercy, and this is a confirming Book in the Arabic tongue, to warn those who have wronged and to bring good news to those who do good.
13. Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast — they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
14. Those are the companions of Paradise, remaining there forever, as a reward for what they used to do.
15. We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother carried him with hardship, and gave birth to him with hardship, and his bearing and weaning are thirty months. When he reaches maturity and reaches the age of forty, he says, “My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that please You, and make my children righteous. I truly repent to You, and truly I am of those who submit.”
16. They are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their bad deeds, among the companions of Paradise — a true promise which they were promised.
17. But the one who says to his parents, “Ugh to you! Do you promise me that I will be brought out of the grave, when generations before me have passed away?” while they both call to Allah for help and say, “Woe to you! Believe! Surely the promise of Allah is true” — but he says, “This is nothing but tales of the ancients.”
18. Those are the ones against whom the word of punishment has been justified, along with nations of jinn and humans that have passed before them — indeed, they were losers.
19. For all there will be degrees according to what they did, so He may fully repay them for their deeds, and they will not be wronged.
20. And on the Day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire, it will be said, “You exhausted your good things in your worldly life and enjoyed them. So today you will be recompensed with a humiliating punishment for your arrogance in the land without right and for your defiantly disobedient behavior.”
21. And remember the brother of ‘Ad when he warned his people among the sand dunes — and indeed, warners had come before and after him — saying, “Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.”
22. They said, “Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.”
23. He said, “The knowledge is only with Allah, and I convey to you what I have been sent with. But I see you are a people behaving ignorantly.”
24. Then when they saw it as a cloud advancing toward their valleys, they said, “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” Rather, it is what you sought to hasten — a wind containing a painful punishment.
25. It will destroy everything by the command of its Lord. And they became so that nothing was seen of them except their dwellings. Thus We recompense the criminal people.
26. And We had certainly established them in what We have not established you, and We gave them hearing and sight and hearts, but their hearing and sight and hearts did not avail them at all, since they denied the signs of Allah — and they were surrounded by what they used to mock.
27. And We have already destroyed the towns around you, and We varied the signs so that they might return.
28. Then why did those they took besides Allah as gods to bring them near not help them? But they failed them, and that was their falsehood and what they used to fabricate.
29. And when We directed to you a group of the jinn listening to the Qur’an, and when they attended it, they said, “Listen quietly.” Then when it was concluded, they returned to their people as warners.
30. They said, “O our people, indeed we have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it, guiding to the truth and to a straight path.
31. O our people, respond to the caller of Allah and believe in him, and He will forgive you some of your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.
32. But he who does not respond to the caller of Allah has no escape on earth, and he will have no protectors besides Him — they are in clear error.”
33. Do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by creating them, is able to give life to the dead? Yes indeed, He has power over all things.
34. And on the Day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire, it will be said, “Is this not the truth?” They will say, “Yes, by our Lord.” He will say, “Then taste the punishment for what you used to disbelieve.”
35. So be patient, as were the messengers of strong determination, and do not be hasty for them. On the Day they see what they are promised, it will be as though they had not remained except for an hour of a day. This is a clear message — so none will be destroyed except the defiantly disobedient people. 0 0 0
Al-Ahqaf: Commentary
Surah Al-Ahqaf is a powerful blend of warning and reassurance. It confronts human pride and complacency by reminding us that civilizations stronger than ours have perished when they turned away from divine guidance. The example of ‘Ad shows how material power and wealth cannot protect a people from moral decay.
One of the most touching parts of the surah is the personal prayer of a believer at the age of forty (verse 15), combining gratitude to Allah, kindness to parents, and a desire for righteous offspring — a reminder that faith is lived through character, not just words.
The mention of the jinn listening to the Qur’an and recognizing its truth (verses 29-32) is a subtle rebuke to humans: if beings from an unseen realm could hear it once and believe, why do many humans resist despite hearing it repeatedly?
The surah closes by telling the Prophet to be patient like the great messengers before him. For the believer today, this is a call to patience in the face of challenges, trust in Allah’s justice, and confidence that the truth will prevail, even if the results are not immediate. 0 0 0
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Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 46: Al-Ahqaf
Q1. What is Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) in the Holy Quran?
Ans: Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) is the forty-sixth chapter of the Holy Quran, revealed in Makkah, emphasizing the truth of monotheism, the consequences of disbelief, and lessons from the people of ‘Ad who lived near the sandhills of Al-Ahqaf.
Q2. Why is Surah 46 called Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills)?
Ans: Surah 46 is named Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) because it refers to the dwelling place of the ancient tribe of ‘Ad, who lived among curved sand dunes, and were destroyed due to rejecting the message of Allah.
Q3. What is the main theme of Surah Al-Ahqaf in the Quran?
Ans: The main theme of Surah Al-Ahqaf is the oneness of Allah, the reality of divine revelation, the fate of past nations, and the importance of following the Quran as a source of guidance.
Q4. How many verses are in Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills)?
Ans: Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) contains 35 verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah.
Q5. What does Surah Al-Ahqaf teach about the people of ‘Ad?
Ans: Surah Al-Ahqaf teaches that the people of ‘Ad, who lived among the wind-curved sandhills, rejected the Prophet Hud’s message of monotheism and were destroyed by a mighty wind as a warning for future generations.
Q6. How does Surah Al-Ahqaf describe the Quran?
Ans: Surah Al-Ahqaf describes the Quran as a divine truth revealed to guide mankind, confirming earlier scriptures, and a message that cannot be denied by falsehood.
Q7. What story about the Jinn is mentioned in Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf?
Ans: Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf narrates the story of a group of Jinn who listened to the Quran, believed in it, and carried its message back to their community, affirming the universal guidance of Islam.
Q8. What message does Surah Al-Ahqaf give about parents?
Ans: Surah Al-Ahqaf emphasizes kindness to parents, highlighting the hardship of mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, and calls believers to gratitude towards both parents and Allah.
Q9. What lessons can Muslims learn from Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills)?
Ans: Muslims learn from Surah Al-Ahqaf the importance of faith in Allah, the reality of accountability, patience in the face of denial, and lessons from past nations who were destroyed for rejecting divine truth.
Q10. Where can I read a clear English translation of Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills)?
Ans: You can read a clear and fine English translation of Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills) online or in authentic Quran translations, which explain its timeless guidance on monotheism, patience, and justice. 0 0 0
