Surah Al-Ma'aarij (سُورَةُ المَعَارِجِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Al-Ma'aarij (سُورَةُ المَعَارِجِ) — "The Ascending Stairways" is the 70th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 44 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌۢ بِعَذَابٍۢ وَاقِعٍۢ

ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall

Verse 2

لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَافِعٌۭ

those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off,

Verse 3

مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ذِى ٱلْمَعَارِجِ

[since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent:

Verse 4

تَعْرُجُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍۢ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍۢ

all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years…

Verse 5

فَٱصْبِرْ صَبْرًۭا جَمِيلًا

Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience:

Verse 6

إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُۥ بَعِيدًۭا

behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away –

Verse 7

وَنَرَىٰهُ قَرِيبًۭا

but, We see it as near!

Verse 8

يَوْمَ تَكُونُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ كَٱلْمُهْلِ

[It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead,

Verse 9

وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ

and the mountains will be like tufts of wool,

Verse 10

وَلَا يَسْـَٔلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًۭا

and [when] no friend will ask about his friend,

...and 34 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

Key Themes

The surah of Al-Ma'aarij (The Ascending Stairways) 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-Ma'aarij 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-Ma'aarij revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Ma'aarij have? It contains 44 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "The Ascending Stairways" mean? The name "Al-Ma'aarij" translates to "The Ascending Stairways" in English.