سُورَةُ الدُّخَانِ
Surah 44 - Ad-Dukhaan
The Smoke
- 59 verses
- Juz 25
- Pages 496 to 498 of the Mushaf
Ad-Dukhaan holds 59 verses. It begins on a blessed night when the Book came down and every command is made distinct. Then comes what must be watched for: a visible smoke will come from the sky and wrap around the people; its removal will be asked for with a declaration of belief, and the answer given is that they will go back to it. The text moves to the people of Pharaoh, to whom a messenger comes whom the surah does not name; the departure is made by night, the sea is to be left as it is, and what they abandon is listed while nothing weeps for them. Then the refusal of any death but the first, the Day of Decision, the tree of Zaqqoum, then the gardens. The last two verses order waiting.
The main parts
The text of the surah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ حمٓ
Ha, Meem.
وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
By the clear Book,
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍۢ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ
Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
On that night is made distinct every precise matter -
أَمْرًۭا مِّنْ عِندِنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
[Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]
رَحْمَةًۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them, if you would be certain.
لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّۢ يَلْعَبُونَ
But they are in doubt, amusing themselves.
فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke.
يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ ۖ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
Covering the people; this is a painful torment.
رَّبَّنَا ٱكْشِفْ عَنَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ
[They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers."
أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ مُعَلَّمٌۭ مَّجْنُونٌ
Then they turned away from him and said, "[He was] taught [and is] a madman."
إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ
Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].
يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ
The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution.
۞ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۭ كَرِيمٌ
And We had already tried before them the people of Pharaoh, and there came to them a noble messenger,
أَنْ أَدُّوٓا۟ إِلَىَّ عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
[Saying], "Render to me the servants of Allah. Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger,"
وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَٰنٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
And [saying], "Be not haughty with Allah. Indeed, I have come to you with clear authority.
وَإِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمْ أَن تَرْجُمُونِ
And indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me.
وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ
But if you do not believe me, then leave me alone."
فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌۭ مُّجْرِمُونَ
And [finally] he called to his Lord that these were a criminal people.
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ
[Allah said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued.
وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌۭ مُّغْرَقُونَ
And leave the sea in stillness. Indeed, they are an army to be drowned."
كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
How much they left behind of gardens and springs
وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَمَقَامٍۢ كَرِيمٍۢ
And crops and noble sites
وَنَعْمَةٍۢ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَٰكِهِينَ
And comfort wherein they were amused.
كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people.
فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ
And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved.
وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ
And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment -
مِن فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors.
وَلَقَدِ ٱخْتَرْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
And We certainly chose them by knowledge over [all] the worlds.
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٌۭا۟ مُّبِينٌ
And We gave them of signs that in which there was a clear trial.
إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَيَقُولُونَ
Indeed, these [disbelievers] are saying,
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا مَوْتَتُنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ
"There is not but our first death, and we will not be resurrected.
فَأْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
Then bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful."
أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍۢ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ أَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ
Are they better or the people of Tubba' and those before them? We destroyed them, [for] indeed, they were criminals.
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ
And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play.
مَا خَلَقْنَٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know.
إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all -
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًۭى شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
The Day when no relation will avail a relation at all, nor will they be helped -
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Except those [believers] on whom Allah has mercy. Indeed, He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ
Indeed, the tree of zaqqum
طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ
Is food for the sinful.
كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ
Like murky oil, it boils within bellies
كَغَلْىِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ
Like the boiling of scalding water.
خُذُوهُ فَٱعْتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
[It will be commanded], "Seize him and drag him into the midst of the Hellfire,
ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ
Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."
ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ
[It will be said], "Taste! Indeed, you are the honored, the noble!
إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ
Indeed, this is what you used to dispute."
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍۢ
Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place;
فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
Within gardens and springs,
يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍۢ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍۢ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ
Wearing [garments of] fine silk and brocade, facing each other.
كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍۢ
Thus. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes.
يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ
They will call therein for every [kind of] fruit - safe and secure.
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will have protected them from the punishment of Hellfire
فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
As bounty from your Lord. That is what is the great attainment.
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And indeed, We have eased the Qur'an in your tongue that they might be reminded.
فَٱرْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ
So watch, [O Muhammad]; indeed, they are watching [for your end].
Key verses of the surah
The verse that sets the coming down of the Book in a blessed night, without giving it any other name.
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍۢ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ
Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
The answer to those who deny: sky and earth were not made for a game.
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ
And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play.
The hinge of the text: an appointed time set for all, between the two sets of destinies.
إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all -
The answer given back to verse 35: in the garden no death comes after the first one.
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will have protected them from the punishment of Hellfire
What is surah Ad-Dukhaan about?
Of a wait. Something is announced, watching for its coming is asked for, and the text closes on an order to wait. In between stands an old example: a people warned who did not believe, and the inventory of what they left.
What is the smoke in surah Ad-Dukhaan?
The text says little: it comes from the sky, it can be seen, it covers the people, and the next verse calls it a painful punishment. Those it reaches ask for it to be taken away while calling themselves believers; the answer is that they will start again. The surah gives nothing further.
What does surah Ad-Dukhaan say about the blessed night?
Three verses at the start. The Book came down in it, every matter is made distinct in it, and this proceeds from a command from Allah, as a mercy. The surah does not place it in the year and gives it no other name.
How does surah Ad-Dukhaan end?
On two short verses. The first says the text was made easy in the tongue of the one who receives it, so that it may be remembered. The second orders him to wait, adding that the others are waiting too.
Why is surah Ad-Dukhaan called that?
“Ad-Dukhaan” means “the Smoke”. The name comes from verse 10: the reader is told to watch for a day when the sky comes with a visible smoke, which wraps around the people and which the next verse calls a painful punishment. The text gives neither its date nor its nature. The word appears nowhere else in the surah.
How many verses does surah Ad-Dukhaan have?
Surah Ad-Dukhaan has 59 verses. It stands at number 44 in the order of the Mushaf, which holds 114.
The Arabic text is that of the Mushaf. The summary, the outline and the answers on this page describe the text and how it is built: they are not religious commentary.