Surah Al-Hijr (سُورَةُ الحِجۡرِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Al-Hijr (سُورَةُ الحِجۡرِ) — "The Rock" is the 15th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 99 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

Alif. Lam. Ra. THESE ARE MESSAGES of revelation -of a discourse clear in itself and clearly showing the truth.

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Verse 2

رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ

And it will come to pass that those who are [now] bent on denying this truth will wish that they had surrendered themselves to God [in their life time].

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Verse 3

ذَرْهُمْ يَأْكُلُوا۟ وَيَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ وَيُلْهِهِمُ ٱلْأَمَلُ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

Leave them alone; let them eat and enjoy themselves the while the hope [of vain delights] be guiles them: for in time they will come to know [the truth].

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Verse 4

وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌۭ مَّعْلُومٌۭ

And never have We destroyed any community [for its wrongdoing] unless a divine writ had (previously] been made known to it;

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Verse 5

مَّا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ

[but remember that] no community can ever forestall [the end of] its term - and neither can they delay [it].

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Verse 6

وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ

And yet, they [who deny the truth] say: "O thou unto whom this reminder has [allegedly] been bestowed from on high: verily, thou art mad!

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Verse 7

لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

Why dost thou not bring before us angels, if thou art a man of truth?

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Verse 8

مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِذًۭا مُّنظَرِينَ

[Yet] We never send down angels otherwise than in accordance with the [demands of] truth; and [were the angels to appear now,] lo! they [who reject this divine writ] would have no further respite!

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Verse 9

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ

Behold, it is We Ourselves who have bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder? and, behold, it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption].

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Verse 10

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

AND, INDEED, [O Prophet,] even before thy time did We send [Our apostles] unto communities of old -

...and 89 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

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Key Themes

The surah of Al-Hijr (The Rock) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.

Virtues of Reading This Surah

Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari

Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Al-Hijr as part of your daily Quran reading.

How to Recite

1. Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
2. Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
3. Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
4. Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
5. Reflect on the meaning as you recite

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Surah Al-Hijr revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Hijr have? It contains 99 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "The Rock" mean? The name "Al-Hijr" translates to "The Rock" in English.