Discover Surah 21: Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) with a clear English translation and insightful comments. Explore the timeless stories of prophets, their struggles, and the divine lessons that guide humanity toward faith, patience, and truth.
Surah 21: Al-Anbiya (The Prophets)
Introduction
Surah Al-Anbiya is the 21st chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and consists of 112 verses. The name ‘Al-Anbiya’ means The Prophets, as the Surah mentions the stories of several prophets sent by Allah, including Abraham, Lot, Noah, Moses, David, Solomon, Job, Jonah, Zachariah, John, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
This Surah emphasizes the following major themes:
The Nearness of Judgment Day: It opens by warning that the Day of Judgment is approaching, but people remain heedless.
Unity of God: It clearly rejects the idea of multiple gods and confirms that Allah alone has the power to control the universe.
The Reality of the Prophets: It reminds the listeners that all prophets were human beings chosen by Allah to deliver His message. They faced hardship and were mocked, but Allah always supported them.
Lessons from History: The Surah shares short but powerful accounts of various prophets to show how Allah helped the righteous and punished the wrongdoers.
The Mercy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): In the final verses, Allah declares that Prophet Muhammad has been sent as a mercy to all the worlds.
Overall, Surah Al-Anbiya calls people to reflect on the message of the prophets, abandon false beliefs, prepare for the Hereafter, and worship the one true God — Allah.
Surah 21: Al-Anbiya (The Prophets): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful
1. The time for people’s judgment is drawing near, yet they turn away in heedlessness.
2. Whenever a new reminder comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it but play around with it,
3. With their hearts distracted and careless. The wrongdoers whisper in secret: “Is this man anything but a human being like you? Will you then follow magic, even when you see it clearly?”
4. He said, “My Lord knows everything that is spoken in the heavens and the earth. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
5. But they said, “This is just a mixture of false dreams! No, he made it up! No, he is just a poet! Let him bring us a clear sign like the ones given to the previous messengers.”
6. No town before them, which We destroyed, ever believed. So will these now believe?
7. We did not send before you (O Prophet) except men, whom We inspired. So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.
8. And We did not make the messengers bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortal.
9. Then We fulfilled Our promise to them: We saved them and those We willed, and destroyed the transgressors.
10. We have certainly sent down to you a book in which is your reminder. Will you not understand?
11. How many towns that were wrongdoers have We destroyed, and then raised up after them other people?
12. When they felt Our punishment coming, suddenly they began to run away from it.
13. It was said to them, “Do not run away! Return to your luxurious lives and your homes, so that you may be questioned.”
14. They cried out, “Woe to us! We were truly wrongdoers.”
15. And this cry of theirs did not stop until We made them like a field cut down — lifeless and silent.
16. We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them just for play.
17. If We had wished to take something for amusement, We could have done it from Our own presence — if that had been Our intention.
18. Rather, We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it breaks it apart — and see, it disappears. Woe to you for what you falsely claim!
19. To Him belong all those in the heavens and on the earth. And those who are near Him are never too proud to worship Him, nor do they grow tired.
20. They glorify Him day and night — they never stop.
21. Or have they taken other gods from the earth who can raise the dead?
22. If there had been other gods in the heavens and the earth besides Allah, both would have collapsed. So, glorified is Allah — the Lord of the Throne — far above what they describe.
23. He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
24. Or have they taken other gods besides Him? Say, “Bring your proof. This is the message of those with me and the message of those before me.” But most of them do not know the truth, so they turn away.
25. We never sent a messenger before you without revealing to him: “There is no god except Me, so worship Me alone.”
26. And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken a child.” Glory be to Him! No, they are only honored servants.
27. They do not speak ahead of Him, and they act only by His command.
28. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for those He approves of. And they tremble in awe of Him.
29. Whoever among them were to say, “I am a god besides Him,” We would punish him with Hell. This is how We repay the wrongdoers.
30. Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were once joined together, and We split them apart? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
31. And We placed firm mountains on the earth so it wouldn’t shake beneath them, and We made wide pathways between them so they might find their way.
32. And We made the sky a protected roof — but they turn away from its signs.
33. It is He who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon — each one floating in its orbit.
34. We did not grant everlasting life to any human before you. So if you die, will they then live forever?
35. Every soul will taste death. And We test you with hardship and ease as a trial. And to Us you will be returned.
36. When the disbelievers see you, they mock you, saying, “Is this the one who speaks against your gods?” Yet they deny the mention of the Most Merciful.
37. Man was created in haste. I will soon show you My signs, so do not rush Me.
38. And they say, “When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are truthful?”
39. If only the disbelievers knew the time when they will not be able to keep the fire away from their faces or backs, nor will they be helped.
40. It will come to them suddenly and surprise them. They will not be able to push it away, and they will not be given any delay.
41. Messengers before you were also mocked, but those who made fun of them were eventually surrounded by what they used to ridicule.
42. Say, “Who can protect you night and day from the Most Merciful?” But they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.
43. Or do they have gods who can protect them instead of Us? They are not able to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.
44. No, We let them and their forefathers enjoy life for a long time. But do they not see how We gradually reduce the land from its borders? So, will they then be victorious?
45. Say, “I only warn you with revelation.” But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.
46. And if even a breath of your Lord’s punishment were to touch them, they would surely cry out, “Woe to us! We were indeed wrongdoers!”
47. We will set up the scales of justice on the Day of Judgment. No soul will be wronged in the least. Even the weight of a mustard seed — We will bring it forth. And We are sufficient as a Reckoner.
48. And indeed, We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (the Torah), a light and a reminder for the righteous,
49. Those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, and are afraid of the Hour.
50. And this is a blessed message We have sent down. Will you then deny it?
51. And indeed, We gave Abraham his guidance earlier, and We knew him well.
52. When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are so devoted?”
53. They said, “We found our forefathers worshipping them.”
54. He said, “Indeed, you and your forefathers have been clearly misguided.”
55. They asked, “Have you come to us with the truth, or are you just playing games?”
56. He said, “No, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth — the One who created them — and I am a witness to that.”
57. “And by Allah, I will plan something against your idols after you turn and leave.”
58. So he smashed them into pieces, except for the biggest one, so that they might turn to it for answers.
59. They said, “Who did this to our gods? He must be one of the wrongdoers!”
60. Some of them said, “We heard a young man talking about them — he is called Abraham.”
61. They said, “Bring him before the people’s eyes so they may bear witness.”
62. They asked, “Was it you, Abraham, who did this to our gods?”
63. He replied, “No! It was this biggest one among them. Ask them — if they can speak!”
64. So they turned to one another and said, “Indeed, you yourselves are the wrongdoers.”
65. Then they were embarrassed and said to Abraham, “You know well these idols cannot speak.”
66. He said, “Then why do you worship instead of Allah something that cannot benefit or harm you at all?”
67. “Shame on you and on what you worship besides Allah! Do you not use your reason?”
68. They said, “Burn him and support your gods — if you are going to do anything!”
69. We said, “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham!”
70. They had planned to harm him, but We made them the ones who lost most.
71. And We rescued him and Lot to a land that We blessed for all people.
72. And We gave him Isaac, and later Jacob as an additional gift. And We made all of them righteous.
73. We made them leaders who guided by Our command. And We inspired them to do good deeds, establish prayer, and give charity. They worshipped Us alone.
74. And to Lot We gave wisdom and knowledge, and We saved him from the town that practiced evil. Truly, they were wicked people, disobedient.
75. And We admitted him into Our mercy. Truly, he was one of the righteous.
76. And remember Noah, when he cried out long before. We answered him and saved him and his family from the great disaster.
77. And We helped him against the people who denied Our signs. Truly, they were evil people, so We drowned them all.
78. And remember David and Solomon, when they judged regarding the field into which some people’s sheep had strayed at night, and We witnessed their judgment.
79. We gave Solomon the correct understanding, though We gave both of them wisdom and knowledge. And We made the mountains and the birds praise Us with David — and We were the One who did all this.
80. And We taught him how to make armor for you, to protect you from your battles. Will you then be thankful?
81. And to Solomon We subjected the wind — blowing strongly — that carried him by Our command to the land We had blessed. We are the All-Knowing of all things.
82. And We also subjected some devils to dive into the sea for him and do other tasks. We were the ones watching over them.
83. And remember Job (Ayyub) when he called out to his Lord, “Indeed, I have been touched with hardship, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
84. So We answered him and removed his suffering. And We gave him back his family — and more like them — as a mercy from Us and a lesson for the worshippers.
85. And remember Ishmael, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl. All of them were patient.
86. We admitted them into Our mercy. Truly, they were from the righteous.
87. And remember Jonah (Dhun-Nun), when he left in anger and thought We would not test him. But he cried out in the darkness, “There is no god but You! Glory be to You! Truly, I was among the wrongdoers.”
88. So We answered him and rescued him from distress. This is how We save the believers.
89. And remember Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, “My Lord, do not leave me without offspring — and You are the Best of inheritors.”
90. So We answered him and gave him John (Yahya). And We made his wife able to bear children. They used to race in doing good, and called on Us in hope and fear, and were humble before Us.
91. And remember the woman (Mary) who guarded her purity. So We breathed into her through Our Spirit, and made her and her son a sign for all people.
92. Truly, this religion of yours is one religion, and I am your Lord — so worship Me alone.
93. But they divided their affairs among themselves. Still, they will all return to Us.
94. So whoever does good deeds while being a believer — there will be no rejection of his efforts. We are recording it all for him.
95. It is impossible for any town We destroyed to return (to life again),
96. Until, when Gog and Magog (Ya’juj and Ma’juj) are let loose, and they rush down from every height,
97. And the true promise comes close — then the eyes of the disbelievers will stare in horror, and they will cry out, “Woe to us! We were truly unaware of this. In fact, we were wrongdoers.”
98. Surely you and whatever you worship besides Allah are fuel for Hell. You will enter it.
99. If those idols had truly been gods, they would not have entered Hell. But there they will remain forever.
100. They will cry out within it, but they will not be heard.
101. As for those who were promised a good outcome from Us — they will be kept far away from Hell.
102. They will not hear even the faintest sound of it, and they will live forever in what their souls desire.
103. The greatest fear will not trouble them, and the angels will meet them saying, “This is your Day which you were promised.”
104. On that Day, We will roll up the sky like a scroll for books. Just as We began the first creation, We will repeat it. This is a promise binding on Us — We will certainly do it.
105. And We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder (the Torah), that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.
106. Surely in this is a message for people who worship.
107. And We have not sent you, O Prophet, except as a mercy to all the worlds.
108. Say, “It has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. So will you submit to Him?”
109. But if they turn away, then say, “I have warned you all equally, though I do not know whether what you are promised is near or far.”
110. “Surely He knows what you say openly, and He knows what you hide.”
111. “And I do not know — perhaps this delay is a test for you, and a chance to enjoy yourselves for a while.”
112. He said, “My Lord, judge between us with truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful — the One whose help is sought against what you claim.” 0 0 0
Comment
Surah Al-Anbiya is a powerful reminder that Allah is in complete control of the universe and human history. One of the main messages of this Surah is that all prophets were sent by Allah with the same message — to call people to worship Him alone, stay away from evil, and prepare for the Day of Judgment. The Surah shows that although prophets were mocked and rejected by their people, Allah always supported them and protected them in the end.
Through the brief stories of prophets like Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Job, and Jonah (peace be upon them all), we learn about their patience, faith, and trust in Allah during times of trial. Each of them turned to Allah sincerely, and Allah responded to them with mercy. Their lives are meant to be examples for us — showing that success lies in following Allah’s guidance, no matter how difficult the path may seem.
This Surah also warns those who reject the truth. The destruction of past nations who denied their prophets is mentioned as a lesson. People who live carelessly, forgetting Allah and mocking religion, are reminded that their time is limited and that the Day of Judgment will come suddenly.
Toward the end of the Surah, Allah says that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent not just for one nation, but as a mercy for all of humanity. This shows that Islam is a universal message meant for everyone.
Finally, the Surah closes with a prayer from the Prophet asking Allah to judge with truth and to help him against those who spread lies. It teaches us to stay firm in truth, trust Allah’s justice, and call upon Him in patience and humility 0 0 0
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Surah Al-Anbiya: Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Al-Anbiya
Q1. What is Surah Al-Anbiya about?
Surah Al-Anbiya, meaning The Prophets, discusses the lives, struggles, and missions of various prophets. It emphasizes their role as guides to humanity and highlights God’s power, mercy, and justice.
Q2. How many verses are there in Surah Al-Anbiya?
Surah Al-Anbiya has 112 verses.
Q3. Where was Surah Al-Anbiya revealed?
It was revealed in Makkah, making it a Makkan Surah.
Q4. Why is it called Al-Anbiya?
It is called Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) because it mentions the stories of several prophets such as Ibrahim, Musa, Dawud, Sulaiman, Ayyub, Yunus, Zakariya, Yahya, and Isa, showing how all were chosen by Allah to guide people.
Q5. What is the main message of Surah Al-Anbiya?
The main message is that all prophets were human beings chosen by Allah, and they preached the oneness of God, patience in trials, and righteousness in life.
Q6. What lessons can we learn from Surah Al-Anbiya?
The Surah teaches us to remain patient in difficulties, trust in Allah, follow the guidance of the prophets, and understand that life is a test leading to accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Q7. How does Surah Al-Anbiya connect to modern life?
It reminds us that true success comes through faith, perseverance, and moral values. The struggles of prophets show that challenges are part of life, but faith and sincerity bring victory. 0 0 0
The Prophets’ Call – Surah Al-Anbiya
In the pages of Surah Al-Anbiya, the voices rise,
Prophets of old beneath the skies.
Ibrahim with courage, breaking the chain,
Musa with strength through trial and pain.
Dawud sang praises, his heart so true,
Sulaiman ruled with wisdom too.
Ayyub endured with patient grace,
Yunus returned from the ocean’s embrace.
Zakariya prayed with hopeful cry,
Yahya was pure, so noble, so high.
Isa, the sign, with truth did say,
All worship belongs to God, not clay.
Surah Al-Anbiya teaches us clear,
The message of prophets, sincere and near.
One God to worship, one path to stay,
Guidance eternal, the righteous way.
Through trials and struggle, their stories remind,
Faith is the light for all humankind.
In Surah Al-Anbiya, the lesson is plain,
Patience and trust will never be vain. 0 0 0
