Explore Surah 38: Sad (The Mystical Letter) with a clear English translation and insightful commentary. Discover its themes of faith, patience, prophetic struggles, and divine wisdom in guiding humanity.
Surah 38: Sad (Mystical Letter)
Introduction
Surah 38, titled Sad, is a Meccan surah of the Holy Qur’an. It contains 88 verses and is named after the Arabic letter ‘ص’ (Sad), which appears at the beginning of the Surah. Like many Meccan chapters, its central themes revolve around the oneness of Allah, the truth of the message revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the consequences of rejecting the truth.
The Surah begins by affirming the greatness of the Qur’an and the denial shown by the disbelievers. It highlights how earlier nations also rejected their prophets and suffered divine punishment. Through the stories of Prophet Dawud (David), Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), and Prophet Ayyub (Job), the Surah shows examples of patience, justice, and devotion. The Surah also discusses the arrogance of Iblis (Satan) when he refused to bow to Adam and was cursed.
In the end, Allah makes it clear that the Qur’an is a reminder to all of mankind and that the truth it contains will become evident to everyone in due time. 0 0 0
Surah 38: Sad (Mystical Letter): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Sad. By the Qur’an, full of reminder and warning.
2. Yet the disbelievers are full of arrogance and opposition.
3. How many generations We destroyed before them! They cried out when it was too late to escape.
4. They are surprised that a warner has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, ‘This is a lying magician!’
5. ‘Has he made all the gods into one God? That is truly something strange!’
6. Their leaders walk away saying, ‘Carry on with your gods. This is clearly a scheme to gain control.’
7. ‘We’ve never heard of this in the previous religion. This is nothing but an invention.’
8. ‘Was the message sent down to him out of all of us?’ No! They doubt My warning. In fact, they have not yet tasted My punishment.
9. Or do they possess the treasures of your Lord’s mercy—the Mighty, the Giver of Gifts?
10. Or do they have control over the heavens and the earth and whatever lies between them? Then let them climb up to the heavens if they can.
11. But they are just a defeated group among all the others who joined forces against the truth.
12. Before them, the people of Noah denied the truth. So did ‘Aad, Pharaoh of mighty structures,
13. Thamud, the people of Lot, and the people of the dense forest—these were all enemy groups.
14. Every one of them rejected the messengers, so My punishment was rightfully due.
15. These people now only wait for a single cry that will come with no delay.
16. They say, ‘Our Lord, bring our punishment sooner, before the Day of Judgment!’
17. Be patient with what they say. And remember Our servant David, a man of great strength. He always turned to Us.
18. We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunrise and sunset.
19. And the birds, gathered together, would all echo his praises.
20. We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and the ability to decide matters fairly.
21. Have you heard the story of the disputing men who climbed over the wall into David’s chamber?
22. When they came into his room, he was startled. They said, ‘Don’t be afraid. We are two people in a dispute. One of us has wronged the other. Judge between us fairly. Don’t be unjust and guide us to what is right.’
23. ‘This is my brother. He has ninety-nine sheep, and I have only one. Still, he says, “Give it to me,” and he overpowers me in argument.’
24. David said, ‘He has wronged you by asking for your single sheep to add to his own. Many partners wrong each other—except those who believe and do good deeds, and they are few.’ Then David realized We were testing him. So he asked his Lord for forgiveness, fell down in prostration, and turned back to Allah.
25. So We forgave him. And he truly has a special position with Us and a good place to return to.
26. ‘O David, We have made you a ruler on the earth. So judge between people with truth. Do not follow your desires, or they will lead you away from the path of Allah. Those who wander from His path will face a severe punishment because they forgot the Day of Judgment.’
27. We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything in between for no reason. That is the view of those who disbelieve. So woe to the disbelievers because of the Fire!
28. Should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds the same as those who spread corruption on earth? Should We treat the righteous like the wicked?
29. This is a blessed Book We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect on its verses, and so that those with understanding may take heed.
30. And We gave David his son Solomon. What a good servant he was! He always turned to Us.
31. Once, in the evening, well-trained, fast horses were presented to him.
32. He said, ‘I love the love of these good things because they remind me of my Lord!’ And he kept watching them until they disappeared behind the curtain.
33. Then he said, ‘Bring them back to me,’ and he began to stroke their legs and necks.
34. And We certainly tested Solomon. We placed a lifeless body on his throne, then he turned back to Us.
35. He said, ‘My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that no one after me will ever have. Truly, You are the Giver of Gifts.’
36. So We made the wind obey him. It blew gently by his command wherever he wished.
37. And We made the devils serve him too—builders and divers,
38. and others chained in shackles.
39. ‘This is Our gift, so give freely or hold back, without any limits.’
40. And he truly has a special place with Us and a good return.
41. And remember Our servant Job (Ayyub), when he cried out to his Lord: ‘Satan has touched me with hardship and suffering.’
42. We said, ‘Strike the ground with your foot. Here is a spring of cool water for you to wash in and drink from.’
43. And We gave him back his family, and more like them as a mercy from Us and a reminder for those who understand.
44. And We said, ‘Take a bunch of grass in your hand and strike with it, and do not break your oath.’ Truly, We found him patient. What a good servant! He constantly turned to Us.
45. And remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—men of strength and insight.
46. We especially chose them for their pure remembrance of the Hereafter.
47. And they are, in Our eyes, truly among the best of people.
48. And remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl. All were among the best.
49. This is a reminder. And truly, the righteous will have a beautiful home to return to—
50. Gardens of eternity, with gates wide open for them.
51. They will be reclining there, asking for plenty of fruits and drinks.
52. And beside them will be women with modest gazes, of equal age.
53. This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning.
54. This is truly Our provision that will never run out.
55. But the rebellious will have the worst return—
56. Hell, where they will burn. What a terrible resting place!
57. Let them taste it—boiling water and pus,
58. and other punishments of similar kind.
59. It will be said, ‘This is a crowd rushing in with you.’ They will be told, ‘No welcome for them! They will burn in the Fire!’
60. The newcomers will reply, ‘No! You’re the ones with no welcome! You brought this upon us, and what a miserable end it is!’
61. Then they will say, ‘Our Lord, give double punishment to those who brought this on us, in the fire.’
62. And they will say, ‘Why don’t we see the men we used to count among the wicked?’
63. ‘Did we take them wrongly as a joke? Or did our eyes miss them?’
64. Surely this is true—the bitter dispute of the people of the Fire.
65. Say: ‘I am only a warner. And there is no god except Allah—the One, the Supreme.’
66. The Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them—the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.
67. Say: ‘This message is something very great.
68. But you turn away from it.’
69. I had no knowledge of the higher assembly when they argued among themselves.
70. All that is revealed to me is that I am a clear warner.
71. Your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am going to create a human being from clay.’
72. ‘When I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down before him in prostration.’
73. So all the angels bowed down together,
74. except Iblis. He was arrogant and became one of the disbelievers.
75. Allah said, ‘O Iblis, what prevented you from bowing to what I created with My own Hands? Were you too proud, or do you think you are above others?’
76. He said, ‘I am better than him! You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.’
77. Allah said, ‘Then get out of here! You are truly cursed.’
78. ‘And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment.’
79. He said, ‘My Lord, then give me time until the Day they are raised up.’
80. Allah said, ‘You are granted that delay,
81. until the Day of the known time.’
82. Iblis said, ‘By Your power, I will mislead all of them,
83. except Your chosen, devoted servants among them.’
84. Allah said, ‘This is the truth—and I only speak the truth—
85. I will definitely fill Hell with you and all who follow you, every one of them.’
86. Say: ‘I ask no reward from you for this message, and I am not pretending to be someone I’m not.’
87. ‘This Qur’an is only a reminder for the whole world.’
88. ‘And you will certainly know the truth of it soon.’ 0 0 0
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Surah 38: Comment
Surah Sad teaches several deep lessons through the lives of great prophets and the downfall of the arrogant. One of the most powerful messages is about the test of power and patience. Dawud and Sulaiman were kings with great authority, yet they remained humble and always turned to Allah. Ayyub suffered great personal hardship, but he showed perfect patience and faith.
Another striking part of this Surah is the story of Satan’s arrogance. He refused to bow to Adam out of pride, claiming superiority because he was made of fire. This moment shows how pride can lead to eternal loss, no matter how much knowledge or power one may have.
The Surah Sad also reminds us of the reality of the Hereafter and the justice of Allah. Those who do wrong and reject the truth will not escape punishment, while the righteous will enjoy eternal rewards in Paradise.
In summary, Surah Sad calls us to reflect, remain humble, stay patient in trials, and remain firm in faith—just like the noble prophets who came before us. 0 0 0
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 38: Sad
Q1. What is Surah 38 called?
Ans: Surah 38 is called Surah Sad, named after the Arabic mystical letter “Sad” with which it begins.
Q2. How many verses are in Surah Sad?
Ans: Surah Sad has 88 verses.
Q3. What is the main theme of Surah Sad?
Ans: The main theme is the struggle between truth and falsehood, the patience of prophets, and the ultimate triumph of faith over arrogance.
Q4. Why does the Surah begin with the letter “Sad”?
Ans: The letter “Sad” is a mystical or disjointed letter (huruf muqatta‘at), the exact meaning of which is known only to Allah, but it signifies the miraculous nature of the Quran.
Q5. Which prophets are mentioned in Surah Sad?
Ans: Prophets mentioned include Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), and others as examples of patience and faith.
Q6. What lesson does the story of Prophet Dawud (David) in Surah Sad teach?
Ans: It teaches humility, justice, repentance, and reliance on Allah despite human mistakes.
Q7. What is the message behind the story of Prophet Ayyub (Job) in Surah Sad?
Ans: It emphasizes patience and steadfastness in times of suffering and trials.
Q8. How does Surah Sad warn against arrogance?
Ans: It highlights the downfall of arrogant nations and individuals, reminding that pride and rejection of truth lead to destruction.
Q9. Is Surah Sad Meccan or Medinan?
Ans: Surah Sad is a Meccan Surah, revealed in Makkah before the Prophet’s migration to Madinah.
Q10. What relevance does Surah Sad hold for Muslims today?
Ans: It reminds Muslims to stay firm in faith, avoid arrogance, seek forgiveness, and learn from the trials of past prophets. 0 0 0
