Read Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) with clear English translation and insightful commentary. Discover its lessons on false pride, worldly adornments, the story of Pharaoh and Moses, and the call to worship the One true God.
Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments)
Introduction
Surah Az-Zukhruf is the 43rd chapter of the Qur’an and contains 89 verses. It is a Meccan Surah, revealed during the early period of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission. The Surah addresses the theme of false beliefs and the misuse of worldly adornments, like gold and luxury, which people often value above spiritual truths. It calls attention to the importance of worshipping Allah alone and warns against associating partners with Him. The Surah also recounts stories of previous prophets, emphasizing patience and trust in Allah’s plan, and assures that ultimate success belongs to those who believe and do righteous deeds. It invites reflection on the temporary nature of this world compared to the eternal Hereafter. 0 0 0
Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
(1) Ha Meem.
(2) By the clear Book,
(3) We have made it an Arabic Qur’an so that you may understand.
(4) And indeed, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.
(5) Should We then turn away this Reminder from you, simply because you are a people who go too far in wrongdoing
(6) How many prophets We sent to earlier generations.
(7) But no prophet ever came to them except that they mocked him.
(8) So We destroyed those who were stronger than them, and the examples of the earlier peoples have already passed.
(9) If you ask them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” they will surely say, “The Almighty, the All-Knowing created them.”
(10) He is the One Who made the earth for you as a cradle, and made for you paths upon it, so that you may find your way.
(11) And He is the One Who sent down water from the sky in due measure, and with it We revive a dead land. That is how you will be brought back.
(12) And He is the One Who created all the pairs, and made for you ships and animals that you ride.
(13) So that you may sit firmly on their backs, and remember your Lord’s blessing when you are seated upon them, and say: “Glory be to Him Who has subjected these for us, though we could not have controlled them by ourselves.
(14) “And surely to our Lord we will return.”
(15) Yet they assign to Him a share from His own servants. Truly, man is clearly ungrateful.
(16) Or has He taken daughters for Himself from what He creates, and honoured you with sons?
(17) Yet when one of them is given the news of what he ascribes to the Most Merciful, his face darkens with anger and he is filled with grief.
(18) Do they attribute to Allah one who is brought up with ornaments, and is not clear in argument?
(19) And they make the angels—who are servants of the Most Merciful—females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be written down, and they will be questioned.
(20) And they say: “If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them.” They have no knowledge of this; they only guess.
(21) Or have We given them a Book before this, to which they are holding firmly
(22) Rather, they say: “We found our forefathers upon a way, and we are guided in their footsteps.
(23) And similarly, whenever We sent a warner to a town before you, its wealthy people said: “We found our forefathers upon a way, and we are following their footsteps.”
(24) He said: “Even if I bring you a better guidance than what you found your forefathers upon?” They said: “We reject what you are sent with.”
(25) So We took vengeance on them. Look, then, how was the end of those who denied.
(26) And when Abraham said to his father and his people: “I am free from what you worship.
(27) Except for the One who created me, for He will surely guide me.”
(28) And he made it a lasting word among his descendants, so that they might return.
(29) Yet I gave enjoyment to these people and their forefathers until the truth came to them, and a clear messenger.
(30) But when the truth came to them, they said: “This is magic, and we surely reject it.”
(31) And they said: “Why was this Qur’an not sent down upon a great man from either of the two towns?”
(32) Is it they who distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We raise some of them above others in rank, so that some may take others into service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they gather.
(33) And were it not that mankind would become one community, We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful—roofs of silver for their houses, and stairways upon which they climb.
(34) And doors for their houses, and couches upon which they recline.
(35) And adornments of gold. Yet all this is nothing but enjoyment of the worldly life, while the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.
(36) Whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful, We assign for him a devil, and he becomes his companion.
(37) And indeed, they turn them away from the path, while they think that they are rightly guided.
(38) Until, when he comes to Us, he will say: “If only there were between me and you the distance of the east and the west—what an evil companion!”
(39) But it will never benefit you today, since you did wrong, that you will share in the punishment.
(40) Can you then make the deaf hear, or guide the blind, or one who is in clear error?
(41) So whether We take you away, surely We will take vengeance upon them.
(42) Or We may show you what We have promised them, for surely We are fully able over them.
(43) So hold fast to what has been revealed to you. Truly you are on a straight path.
(44) And indeed, it is a Reminder for you and your people, and soon you will be questioned.
(45) And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Merciful?
(46) And indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said: “I am truly a messenger of the Lord of the worlds.”
(47) But when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them.
(48) And We did not show them any sign except that it was greater than the one before it, and We seized them with punishment, so that they might return.
(49) And they said: “O magician, call upon your Lord for us by what He has promised you. Surely we will be guided.”
(50) But when We removed from them the punishment, at once they broke their word.
(51) And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: “O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me? Do you not see?”
(52) “Am I not better than this one who is insignificant and can hardly express himself clearly?”
(53) “Why then have bracelets of gold not been cast upon him, or angels not come with him to accompany him?”
(54) So he made his people think lightly of him, and they obeyed him. Surely they were a rebellious people.
(55) And when they angered Us, We took vengeance on them, and drowned them all together.
(56) And We made them a thing of the past and an example for those who came after.
(57) And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, at once your people raised their voices about him.
(58) And they said: “Are our gods better, or is he?” They only bring this up to you for argument. Truly, they are a people prone to dispute.
(59) He was nothing but a servant upon whom We bestowed favour, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
(60) And if We willed, We could have made angels succeed you on the earth.
(61) And indeed, he is surely a sign for the Hour. So do not doubt it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.
(62) And let not Satan turn you away, for indeed he is to you a clear enemy.
(63) And when Jesus came with clear proofs, he said: “I have come to you with wisdom, and to make clear to you some of what you differ about. So fear Allah, and obey me.
(64) Surely Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path.”
(65) But the groups differed among themselves. So woe to those who did wrong, from the punishment of a painful Day.
(66) Are they waiting for anything but the Hour, to come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?
(67) Close friends on that Day will be enemies to one another, except for the righteous.
(68) O My servants, there is no fear for you today, nor will you grieve.
(69) Those who believed in Our signs and had submitted.
(70) Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, rejoicing.
(71) Trays of gold and cups will be passed around them, and in it will be whatever souls desire and eyes delight in, and you will abide therein forever.
(72) And that is the Paradise you are made to inherit because of what you used to do.
(73) For you in it are many fruits, from which you will eat.
(74) Surely, the sinners will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding therein.
(75) It will not be lightened for them, and they will be overwhelmed in despair.
(76) We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.
(77) And they will cry out: “O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us.” He will say: “Indeed, you will remain.”
(78) We certainly brought you the truth, but most of you hated the truth.
(79) Or have they settled upon a plan? But We too are planning.
(80) Or do they think that We do not hear their secret talk and their private conversation? Yes, and Our messengers are with them, writing it down.
(81) Say: “If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of the worshippers.”
(82) Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they ascribe.
(83) So leave them to immerse themselves in idle talk and play, until they meet their Day which they are promised.
(84) And He is the One Who is God in the heaven, and God on earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.
(85) And blessed is the One to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. And with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you will be returned.
(86) And those they call upon besides Him cannot intercede, except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly.
(87) And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: “Allah.” How then are they deluded?
(88) And his saying: “O my Lord, indeed these are a people who do not believe.”
(89) So turn away from them, and say: “Peace.” For soon they will know. 0 0 0
Comment
This Surah powerfully reminds believers to keep their focus on the Hereafter rather than getting distracted by the glitter and glamour of this life. It criticizes those who reject divine guidance because of their attachment to material wealth and status. The Surah highlights the consistency of Allah’s message through various prophets and underlines the futility of inventing false ideas about Him. It encourages patience, sincere worship, and reliance on Allah, while warning that denial and arrogance lead to destruction. The message is clear: true success comes from recognizing the Creator, following His guidance, and preparing for the eternal life beyond this world. 0 0 0
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Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf
Q1. What is Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf about?
Ans: Surah 43: Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) emphasizes the futility of idol worship, warns against pride in worldly wealth, recalls the story of Pharaoh and Moses, and calls people to worship Allah alone.
Q2. Why is the Surah named Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments)?
Ans: The name Az-Zukhruf refers to worldly ornaments and luxury, highlighting how such temporary wealth deceives people, while the true reward lies in the Hereafter.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Az-Zukhruf?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf contains 89 verses.
Q4. What does Surah Az-Zukhruf say about Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him)?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf clarifies that Jesus was a servant of Allah, given wisdom and miracles, but he never claimed divinity. It rejects false beliefs and reaffirms pure monotheism.
Q5. What lesson does Surah Az-Zukhruf give from the story of Pharaoh?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf uses Pharaoh’s arrogance and his destruction as a warning against pride, oppression, and rejection of God’s messengers.
Q6. How does Surah Az-Zukhruf describe the Qur’an?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf calls the Qur’an a clear Book in Arabic, full of wisdom, revealed as a reminder for people to reflect and return to the straight path.
Q7. What is the message of Surah Az-Zukhruf about worldly wealth?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf teaches that gold, silver, and luxuries are temporary pleasures, but the eternal reward of the Hereafter is for the righteous.
Q8. How does Surah Az-Zukhruf warn about Satan?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf warns that whoever turns away from Allah’s remembrance, a devil becomes his close companion, misleading him while he thinks he is guided.
Q9. What hope does Surah Az-Zukhruf give to believers?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf assures believers that they will have no fear or grief on the Day of Judgment, and they will enter Paradise with joy, blessings, and eternal peace.
Q10. Why is Surah Az-Zukhruf important for Muslims today?
Ans: Surah Az-Zukhruf is important because it teaches Muslims to avoid blind following of traditions, stay humble, resist the temptations of wealth, and remain firm in worshiping Allah alone. 0 0 0
