Revealed during the middle Makkan period when the Quraysh accused the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) of being a poet or possessed, Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets) serves as a reassuring defense of revelation. It recounts the detailed narratives of Moses confronting Pharaoh, Abraham debating his father and community, and the missions of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb. Each story highlights the pride and stubbornness of the disbelievers, their demands for physical miracles, and the sudden, total destruction that befell them when they rejected divine guidance. The chapter takes its name from its conclusion, which contrasts the wandering, deceitful poets of pre-Islamic Arabia with the sincere poets who believe, perform righteous deeds, and remember God. Ultimately, it reassures the Prophet that his duty is simply to deliver the message, and that the ultimate triumph belongs to the righteous.
Transliteration
Taseenmeem
Translation
Ta, Seen, Meem
Transliteration
Tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeeni
Translation
These are the Verses of the Clarifying Book
Transliteration
LaAAallaka bakhiAAun nafsaka alla yakoonoo mumineena
Translation
Perhaps you will destroy yourself with grief, because they do not become believers
Transliteration
In nasha nunazzil AAalayhim mina alssamai ayatan fathallat aAAnaquhum laha khadiAAeena
Translation
If We will, We can send down upon them a sign from heaven, at which their necks will stay bent in humility
Transliteration
Wama yateehim min thikrin mina alrrahmani muhdathin illa kanoo AAanhu muAArideena
Translation
No fresh reminder comes to them from the Most Merciful, but they turn their backs at it
Transliteration
Faqad kaththaboo fasayateehim anbao ma kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
They have denied the truth, but soon will come to them the news of what they ridiculed
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw ila alardi kam anbatna feeha min kulli zawjin kareemin
Translation
Have they not seen the earth, and how many beautiful pairs We produced therein
Transliteration
Inna fee thalika laayatan wama kana aktharuhum mumineena
Translation
Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers
Transliteration
Wainna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
Translation
Most surely, your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful
Transliteration
Waith nada rabbuka moosa ani iti alqawma alththalimeena
Translation
Your Lord called to Moses, “Go to the tyrannical people
Transliteration
Qawma firAAawna ala yattaqoona
Translation
The people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear?”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi innee akhafu an yukaththibooni
Translation
He said, “My Lord, I fear they will reject me
Transliteration
Wayadeequ sadree wala yantaliqu lisanee faarsil ila haroona
Translation
And I become stressed, and my tongue is not fluent, so send Aaron too
Transliteration
Walahum AAalayya thanbun faakhafu an yaqtulooni
Translation
And they have a charge against me, so I fear they will kill me.”
Transliteration
Qala kalla faithhaba biayatina inna maAAakum mustamiAAoona
Translation
He said, “No. Go, both of you, with Our proofs. We will be with you, listening
Transliteration
Fatiya firAAawna faqoola inna rasoolu rabbi alAAalameena
Translation
Go to Pharaoh, and say, ‘We are the Messengers of the Lord of the Worlds
Transliteration
An arsil maAAana banee israeela
Translation
Let the Children of Israel go with us.'“
Transliteration
Qala alam nurabbika feena waleedan walabithta feena min AAumurika sineena
Translation
He said, “Did we not raise you among us as a child, and you stayed among us for many of your years
Transliteration
WafaAAalta faAAlataka allatee faAAalta waanta mina alkafireena
Translation
And you committed that deed you committed, and you were ungrateful.”
Transliteration
Qala faAAaltuha ithan waana mina alddalleena
Translation
He said, “I did it then, when I was of those astray