Surah Az-Zukhruf (سُورَةُ الزُّخۡرُفِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Az-Zukhruf — the 43rd chapter of the Quran with 89 verses. Ornaments of gold. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Az-Zukhruf (سُورَةُ الزُّخۡرُفِ) — "Ornaments of gold" is the 43rd chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 89 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ حمٓ
Ha. Mim.
Verse 2
وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
CONSIDER this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth:
Verse 3
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
behold, We have caused it to be a discourse in the Arabic tongue, so that you might encompass it with your reason.
Verse 4
وَإِنَّهُۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And, verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation, it is indeed sublime, full of wisdom.
Verse 5
أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًۭا مُّسْرِفِينَ
[O YOU who deny the truth!] Should We, perchance, withdraw this reminder from you altogether, seeing that you are people bent on wasting your own selves?
Verse 6
وَكَمْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّۢ فِى ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
And how many a prophet did We send to people of olden times!
Verse 7
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
But never yet came a prophet to them without their deriding him –
Verse 8
فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًۭا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
and so, [in the end,] We destroyed them [even though they were] of greater might than these: and the [very] image of those people of old became a thing of the past.
Verse 9
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Yet thus it is [with most people]: if thou ask them, “Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?” - they will surely answer, “The Almighty, the All-Knowing has created them.”
Verse 10
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًۭا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
He it is who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has provided for you ways [of livelihood] thereon, so that you might follow the right path.
...and 79 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.
Key Themes
The surah of Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments of gold) 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 Az-Zukhruf 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 Az-Zukhruf revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Az-Zukhruf have? It contains 89 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "Ornaments of gold" mean? The name "Az-Zukhruf" translates to "Ornaments of gold" in English.