Surah Ash-Shu'araa (سُورَةُ الشُّعَرَاءِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Ash-Shu'araa — the 26th chapter of the Quran with 227 verses. The Poets. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Ash-Shu'araa (سُورَةُ الشُّعَرَاءِ) — "The Poets" is the 26th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 227 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ طسٓمٓ
Ta. Sin, Mim.
Verse 2
تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth!
Verse 3
لَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
Wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death [with grief] because they [who live around thee] refuse to believe [in it]?
Verse 4
إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ءَايَةًۭ فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَٰقُهُمْ لَهَا خَٰضِعِينَ
Had We so willed, We could have sent down unto them a message from the skies, so that their necks would [be forced to] bow down before it in humility.
Verse 5
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مُحْدَثٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضِينَ
[But We have not willed it:] and so, whenever there comes unto them any fresh reminder from the Most Gracious, they [who are blind of heart] always - turn their backs upon it:
Verse 6
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ فَسَيَأْتِيهِمْ أَنۢبَٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
thus, indeed, have they given the lie (to this message as well). But [in time] they will come to understand what it was that they were wont to deride!
Verse 7
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمْ أَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ كَرِيمٍ
Have they, then, never considered the earth - how much of every noble kind [of life] We have caused to grow thereon?
Verse 8
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
In this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
Verse 9
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!
Verse 10
وَإِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبُّكَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱئْتِ ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
HENCE, [remember how it was] when thy Sustainer summoned Moses: “Go unto those evil doing people.
...and 217 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.
Key Themes
The surah of Ash-Shu'araa (The Poets) 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 Ash-Shu'araa 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 Ash-Shu'araa revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Ash-Shu'araa have? It contains 227 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "The Poets" mean? The name "Ash-Shu'araa" translates to "The Poets" in English.