Revealed in Makkah, Surah Ash-Shams (The Sun) utilizes eleven consecutive oaths based on cosmic phenomena to emphasize the purity of the human soul. It establishes that the one who purifies their soul will succeed, while the one who corrupts it will fail. The chapter recounts the destruction of the tribe of Thamud, who arrogantly hamstrung the sacred she-camel of Prophet Salih, as a warning against rebellion.
Transliteration
Waalshshamsi waduhaha
Translation
By the sun and its radiance
Transliteration
Waalqamari itha talaha
Translation
And the moon as it follows it
Transliteration
Waalnnahari itha jallaha
Translation
And the day as it reveals it
Transliteration
Waallayli itha yaghshaha
Translation
And the night as it conceals it
Transliteration
Waalssamai wama banaha
Translation
And the sky and He who built it
Transliteration
Waalardi wama tahaha
Translation
And the earth and He who spread it
Transliteration
Wanafsin wama sawwaha
Translation
And the soul and He who proportioned it
Transliteration
Faalhamaha fujooraha wataqwaha
Translation
And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness
Transliteration
Qad aflaha man zakkaha
Translation
Successful is he who purifies it
Transliteration
Waqad khaba man dassaha
Translation
Failing is he who corrupts it
Transliteration
Kaththabat thamoodu bitaghwaha
Translation
Thamood denied in its pride
Transliteration
Ithi inbaAAatha ashqaha
Translation
When it followed its most wicked
Transliteration
Faqala lahum rasoolu Allahi naqata Allahi wasuqyaha
Translation
The messenger of God said to them, “This is the she-camel of God, so let her drink.”
Transliteration
Fakaththaboohu faAAaqarooha fadamdama AAalayhim rabbuhum bithanbihim fasawwaha
Translation
But they called him a liar, and hamstrung her. So their Lord crushed them for their sin, and leveled it
Transliteration
Wala yakhafu AAuqbaha
Translation
And He does not fear its sequel