Surah Fussilat (سُورَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Fussilat (سُورَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ) — "Explained in detail" is the 41st chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 54 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ حمٓ

Ha. Mim.

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Verse 2

تَنزِيلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

THE BESTOWAL from on high [of this revelation] issues from the Most Gracious, the Dis­penser of Grace:

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Verse 3

كِتَٰبٌۭ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ

a divine writ, the messages whereof have been clearly spelled out as a discourse in the Arabic tongue for people of [innate] knowl­edge,

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Verse 4

بَشِيرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ

to be a herald of glad tidings as well as a warning. And yet, [whenever this divine writ is offered to men,] most of them turn away, so that they cannot hear [its message];

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Verse 5

وَقَالُوا۟ قُلُوبُنَا فِىٓ أَكِنَّةٍۢ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَآ إِلَيْهِ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِنَا وَقْرٌۭ وَمِنۢ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌۭ فَٱعْمَلْ إِنَّنَا عَٰمِلُونَ

and so they say, [as it were:] “Our hearts are veiled from whatever thou callest us to, [O Muhammad,] and in our ears is deafness, and between us and thee is a barrier. Do, then, [whatever thou wilt, whereas,] behold, we shall do [as we have always done]!”

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Verse 6

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ وَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Say thou, [O Prophet:] “I am but a mortal like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is the One God: go, then, straight towards Him and seek His forgiveness!” And woe unto those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him,

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Verse 7

ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَٰفِرُونَ

[and] those who do not spend in charity: for it is they, they who [thus] deny the truth of the life to come!

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Verse 8

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍۢ

[But,] verily, they who have attained to faith and do good works shall have a reward unending!

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Verse 9

۞ قُلْ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُونَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

SAY: “Would you indeed deny Him who has created the earth in two aeons? And do you claim that there is any power that could rival Him, the Sustainer of all the worlds?”

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Verse 10

وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَٰرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِىٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ سَوَآءًۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ

For He [it is who, after creating the earth,] placed firm mountains on it, [towering] above its surface, and bestowed [so many] blessings on it, and equitably apportioned its means of subsistence to all who would seek it: [and all this He created] in four aeons.

...and 44 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

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Key Themes

The surah of Fussilat (Explained in detail) 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 Fussilat 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 Fussilat revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Fussilat have? It contains 54 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "Explained in detail" mean? The name "Fussilat" translates to "Explained in detail" in English.