Surah Al-Insaan (سُورَةُ الإِنسَانِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Al-Insaan — the 76th chapter of the Quran with 31 verses. Man. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Al-Insaan (سُورَةُ الإِنسَانِ) — "Man" is the 76th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 31 verses and is a Medinan (Madani) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًا
HAS THERE [not] been an endless span of time before man [appeared - a time] when he was not yet a thing to be thought of?
Verse 2
إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍۢ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
Verily, it is We who have created man out of a drop of sperm intermingled, so that We might try him [in his later life]: and therefore We made him a being endowed with hearing and sight.
Verse 3
إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا
Verily, We have shown him the way: [and it rests with him to prove himself] either grateful or ungrateful.
Verse 4
إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ سَلَٰسِلَا۟ وَأَغْلَٰلًۭا وَسَعِيرًا
[Now,] behold, for those who deny the truth We have readied chains and shackles, and a blazing flame
Verse 5
إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍۢ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُورًا
[whereas,] behold, the truly virtuous shall drink from a cup flavoured with the calyx of sweet-smelling flowers:
Verse 6
عَيْنًۭا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًۭا
a source [of bliss] whereof God's servants shall drink, seeing it flow in a flow abundant.
Verse 7
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًۭا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسْتَطِيرًۭا
[The truly virtuous are] they [who] fulfil their vows, and stand in awe of a Day the woe of which is bound to spread far and wide,
Verse 8
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا
and who give food - however great be their own want of it - unto the needy, and the orphan, and the captive,
Verse 9
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا
[saying, in their hearts,] "We feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks:
Verse 10
إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًۭا قَمْطَرِيرًۭا
behold, we stand in awe of our Sustainer's judgment on a distressful, fateful Day!"
...and 21 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.
Key Themes
The surah of Al-Insaan (Man) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Medinan (Madani) 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-Insaan as part of your daily Quran reading.
How to Recite
- Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
- Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
- Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
- Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
- Reflect on the meaning as you recite
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was Surah Al-Insaan revealed? It was revealed during the Medinan (Madani) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Insaan have? It contains 31 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "Man" mean? The name "Al-Insaan" translates to "Man" in English.