Revealed during the incredibly difficult late Makkan period, a time of profound grief and isolation for the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Surah Hud is an immensely heavy and awe-inspiring chapter that the Prophet himself stated caused his hair to turn gray. It serves as a stark historical warning to the defiant leadership of Makkah by extensively chronicling the terrifying divine retribution that completely obliterated past civilizations—such as the nations of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb—when they arrogantly rejected their messengers. The Surah vividly captures deeply emotional moments, particularly Prophet Noah's agonizing helplessness as he watched his own disbelieving son drown in the Great Flood, establishing the absolute rule that faith, not bloodlines, dictates ultimate salvation. Beyond these catastrophic historical accounts, the chapter is a profound mandate for unwavering steadfastness and sincere repentance, explicitly commanding the Prophet and his followers to "remain on a right course as you have been commanded" without compromising or altering the truth to appease their enemies. Ultimately, it offers deep psychological reassurance to the oppressed believers, reminding them that while tyrants may enjoy temporary worldly dominance, absolute justice is inescapable, and God always fulfills His promise to rescue and elevate the righteous.
Transliteration
Aliflamra kitabun ohkimat ayatuhu thumma fussilat min ladun hakeemin khabeerin
Translation
Alif, Lam, Ra. A Scripture whose Verses were perfected, then elaborated, from One who is Wise and Informed
Transliteration
Alla taAAbudoo illa Allaha innanee lakum minhu natheerun wabasheerun
Translation
That you shall worship none but God. “I am a warner to you from Him, and a bearer of good news.”
Transliteration
Waani istaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi yumattiAAkum mataAAan hasanan ila ajalin musamman wayuti kulla thee fadlin fadlahu wain tawallaw fainee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin kabeerin
Translation
“And ask your Lord for forgiveness, and repent to Him. He will provide you with good sustenance until a stated term, and will bestow His grace on every possessor of virtue. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the punishment of a grievous Day.”
Transliteration
Ila Allahi marjiAAukum wahuwa AAala kulli shayin qadeerun
Translation
“To God is your return, and He is Capable of all things.”
Transliteration
Ala innahum yathnoona sudoorahum liyastakhfoo minhu ala heena yastaghshoona thiyabahum yaAAlamu ma yusirroona wama yuAAlinoona innahu AAaleemun bithati alssudoori
Translation
They wrap their chests to hide from Him. But even as they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He knows what lies within the hearts
Transliteration
Wama min dabbatin fee alardi illa AAala Allahi rizquha wayaAAlamu mustaqarraha wamustawdaAAaha kullun fee kitabin mubeenin
Translation
There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on God. And He knows where it lives and where it rests. Everything is in a Clear Book
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee khalaqa alssamawati waalarda fee sittati ayyamin wakana AAarshuhu AAala almai liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu AAamalan walain qulta innakum mabAAoothoona min baAAdi almawti layaqoolanna allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun
Translation
It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days—and His Throne was upon the waters—in order to test you—which of you is best in conduct. And if you were to say, “You will be resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve would say, “This is nothing but plain witchcraft.”
Transliteration
Walain akhkharna AAanhumu alAAathaba ila ommatin maAAdoodatin layaqoolunna ma yahbisuhu ala yawma yateehim laysa masroofan AAanhum wahaqa bihim ma kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
And if We postponed their punishment until a stated time, they would say, “What holds it back?” On the Day when it reaches them, it will not be averted from them, and what they used to ridicule will besiege them
Transliteration
Walain athaqna alinsana minna rahmatan thumma nazaAAnaha minhu innahu layaoosun kafoorun
Translation
If We give the human being a taste of mercy from Us, and then withdraw it from him, he becomes despairing and ungrateful
Transliteration
Walain athaqnahu naAAmaa baAAda darraa massathu layaqoolanna thahaba alssayyiatu AAannee innahu lafarihun fakhoorun
Translation
And if We give him a taste of prosperity, after some adversity has afflicted him, he will say, “Troubles have gone away from me.” He becomes excited and proud
Transliteration
Illa allatheena sabaroo waAAamiloo alssalihati olaika lahum maghfiratun waajrun kabeerun
Translation
Except those who are patient and do good deeds—these will have forgiveness and a great reward
Transliteration
FalaAAallaka tarikun baAAda ma yooha ilayka wadaiqun bihi sadruka an yaqooloo lawla onzila AAalayhi kanzun aw jaa maAAahu malakun innama anta natheerun waAllahu AAala kulli shayin wakeelun
Translation
Perhaps you wish to disregard some of what is revealed to you, and you may be stressed because of it, since they say, “If only a treasure was sent down to him, or an angel came with him.” You are only a warner, and God is Responsible for all things
Transliteration
Am yaqooloona iftarahu qul fatoo biAAashri suwarin mithlihi muftarayatin waodAAoo mani istataAAtum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
Or do they say, “He invented it?” Say, “Then produce ten chapters like it, invented, and call upon whomever you can, besides God, if you are truthful.”
Transliteration
Fai llam yastajeeboo lakum faiAAlamoo annama onzila biAAilmi Allahi waan la ilaha illa huwa fahal antum muslimoona
Translation
But if they fail to answer you, know that it was revealed with God’s knowledge, and that there is no god but He. Will you then submit
Transliteration
Man kana yureedu alhayata alddunya wazeenataha nuwaffi ilayhim aAAmalahum feeha wahum feeha la yubkhasoona
Translation
Whoever desires the worldly life and its glitter—We will fully recompense them for their deeds therein, and therein they will not be defrauded
Transliteration
Olaika allatheena laysa lahum fee alakhirati illa alnnaru wahabita ma sanaAAoo feeha wabatilun ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
These—they will have nothing but the Fire in the Hereafter. Their deeds are in vain therein, and their works are null
Transliteration
Afaman kana AAala bayyinatin min rabbihi wayatloohu shahidun minhu wamin qablihi kitabu moosa imaman warahmatan olaika yuminoona bihi waman yakfur bihi mina alahzabi faalnnaru mawAAiduhu fala taku fee miryatin minhu innahu alhaqqu min rabbika walakinna akthara alnnasi la yuminoona
Translation
Is he who possesses a clear proof from his Lord, recited by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy? These believe in it. But whoever defies it from among the various factions, the Fire is his promise. So have no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe
Transliteration
Waman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban olaika yuAAradoona AAala rabbihim wayaqoolu alashhadu haolai allatheena kathaboo AAala rabbihim ala laAAnatu Allahi AAala alththalimeena
Translation
Who does greater wrong than he who fabricates lies about God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are they who lied about their Lord.” Indeed, the curse of God is upon the wrongdoers
Transliteration
Allatheena yasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan wahum bialakhirati hum kafiroona
Translation
Those who hinder others from the path of God, and seek to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial
Transliteration
Olaika lam yakoonoo muAAjizeena fee alardi wama kana lahum min dooni Allahi min awliyaa yudaAAafu lahumu alAAathabu ma kanoo yastateeAAoona alssamAAa wama kanoo yubsiroona
Translation
These will not escape on earth, and they have no protectors besides God. The punishment will be doubled for them. They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see