Surah As-Saaffaat (سُورَةُ الصَّافَّاتِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

As-Saaffaat (سُورَةُ الصَّافَّاتِ) — "Those drawn up in Ranks" is the 37th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 182 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلصَّٰٓفَّٰتِ صَفًّۭا

CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks,

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Verse 2

فَٱلزَّٰجِرَٰتِ زَجْرًۭا

and restraining [from evil] by a call to restraint,

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Verse 3

فَٱلتَّٰلِيَٰتِ ذِكْرًا

and conveying [to all the world] a reminder:

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Verse 4

إِنَّ إِلَٰهَكُمْ لَوَٰحِدٌۭ

Verily, most surely, your God is One –

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Verse 5

رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ

the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and of all that is between them, and the Sustainer of all the points of sunrise!

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Verse 6

إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ ٱلْكَوَاكِبِ

Behold, We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with the beauty of stars,

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Verse 7

وَحِفْظًۭا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَٰنٍۢ مَّارِدٍۢ

and have made them secure against every rebellious, satanic force,

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Verse 8

لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍۢ

[so that] they [who seek to learn the unknowable] should not be able to overhear the host on high, but shall be repelled from all sides,

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Verse 9

دُحُورًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ وَاصِبٌ

cast out [from all grace], with lasting suffering in store for them [in the life to come];

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Verse 10

إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ ٱلْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌۭ ثَاقِبٌۭ

but if anyone does succeed in snatching a glimpse [of such knowledge], he is [henceforth] pursued by a piercing flame.

...and 172 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

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Key Themes

The surah of As-Saaffaat (Those drawn up in Ranks) 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 As-Saaffaat 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 As-Saaffaat revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah As-Saaffaat have? It contains 182 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "Those drawn up in Ranks" mean? The name "As-Saaffaat" translates to "Those drawn up in Ranks" in English.