Surah An-Naba is the 78th chapter of the Holy Quran. It is also known as “The Tidings” or “The Great News.” This chapter begins the 30th and final part (Juz Amma) of the Quran. Revealed in Mecca, this Surah holds deep meaning for Muslims. It addresses core themes. These themes are resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and the signs of Allah’s power. The verses serve as a potent reminder. They speak of our temporary life on Earth. They affirm the certainty of the Hereafter. This encourages believers to live with purpose and accountability.
The Historical Context of Revelation
Surah An-Naba is a Makki Surah. It was revealed during the early years of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) mission. This period in Mecca was difficult. The Prophet faced intense opposition. He tried to share the message of Islam. The society was largely pagan. They were deeply rooted in idolatry. Skepticism about resurrection was common. Many Meccan disbelievers ridiculed the idea of life after death.
This Surah was a divine response. It addressed their doubts and denial. The opening verses pose a question. “About what are they asking one another? About the Great News.” This “Great News” is the Day of Resurrection. The Surah then presents powerful arguments. It points to Allah’s creation as proof of His ability to resurrect the dead. The vivid imagery of Judgment Day acts as a warning. The earth will tremble. The heavens will split. The dead will rise for divine judgment. This narrative reinforces the need to prepare for what is to come. It offered comfort to the early Muslims. They faced persecution for their faith. The promise of divine justice strengthened their resolve.
Surah An-Naba Transliteration, English & Urdu Translation
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
‘Amma Yatasaa-aloon
About what are they asking one another?
عَنِ ٱلنَّبَإِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ
‘Anin-nabaa-il ‘azeem
About the great news –
ٱلَّذِي هُمۡ فِيهِ مُخۡتَلِفُونَ
Allazi hum feehi mukh talifoon
That over which they are in disagreement.
كَلَّا سَيَعۡلَمُونَ
Kallaa sa y’alamoon
No! They are going to know.
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعۡلَمُونَ
Thumma kallaa sa y’alamoon
Then, no! They are going to know.
أَلَمۡ نَجۡعَلِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِهَٰدٗا
Alam naj’alil arda mihaa da
Have we not made the earth a resting place?
وَٱلۡجِبَالَ أَوۡتَادٗا
Wal jibaala au taada
And the mountains as stakes?
وَخَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا
Wa khalaq naakum azwaaja
And We created you in pairs
وَجَعَلۡنَا نَوۡمَكُمۡ سُبَاتٗا
Waja’alna naumakum subata
And made your sleep [a means for] rest
وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلَّيۡلَ لِبَاسٗا
Waja’alnal laila libasa
And made the night as clothing
وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلنَّهَارَ مَعَاشٗا
Waja’alnan nahara ma ‘aasha
And made the day for livelihood
وَبَنَيۡنَا فَوۡقَكُمۡ سَبۡعٗا شِدَادٗا
Wa banaina fauqakum sab ‘an shi daada
And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]
وَجَعَلۡنَا سِرَاجٗا وَهَّاجٗا
Waja’alna siraajaw wah haaja
And made [therein] a burning lamp
وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمُعۡصِرَٰتِ مَآءٗ ثَجَّاجٗا
Wa anzalna minal m’usiraati maa-an thaj-jaaja
And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water
لِّنُخۡرِجَ بِهِۦ حَبّٗا وَنَبَاتٗا
Linukh rija bihee habbaw wana baata
That we may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation
وَجَنَّـٰتٍ أَلۡفَافًا
Wa jan naatin alfafa
And gardens of entwined growth.
إِنَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَصۡلِ كَانَ مِيقَٰتٗا
Inna yaumal-fasli kana meeqaata
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time –
يَوۡمَ يُنفَخُ فِي ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأۡتُونَ أَفۡوَاجٗا
Yauma yun fakhu fis-soori fataa toona afwaaja
The Day the Horn is blown, and you will come forth in multitudes
وَفُتِحَتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتۡ أَبۡوَٰبٗا
Wa futiha tis samaa-u fakaanat abwaaba
And the heaven is opened and will become gateways
وَسُيِّرَتِ ٱلۡجِبَالُ فَكَانَتۡ سَرَابًا
Wa suyyi raatil jibaalu fa kaanat saraaba
And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.
إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتۡ مِرۡصَادٗا
Inna jahan nama kaanat mirsaada
Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait
لِّلطَّـٰغِينَ مَـَٔابٗا
For the transgressors, a place of return,
For the transgressors, a place of return.
لَّـٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحۡقَابٗا
Laa bitheena feehaa ahqaaba
In which they will remain for ages [unending].
لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرۡدٗا وَلَا شَرَابًا
Laa ya zooqoona feeha bar daw walaa sharaaba
They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink
إِلَّا حَمِيمٗا وَغَسَّاقٗا
Illa hamee maw-wa ghas saaqa
Except scalding water and [foul] purulence –
جَزَآءٗ وِفَاقًا
Jazaa-aw wi faaqa
An appropriate recompense.
إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ لَا يَرۡجُونَ حِسَابٗا
Innahum kaanu laa yarjoona hisaaba
Indeed, they were not expecting an account
وَكَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كِذَّابٗا
Wa kazzabu bi aayaa tina kizzaba
And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.
وَكُلَّ شَيۡءٍ أَحۡصَيۡنَٰهُ كِتَٰبٗا
Wa kulla shai-in ahsai naahu kitaa ba
But all things we have enumerated in writing.
فَذُوقُواْ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمۡ إِلَّا عَذَابًا
Fa zooqoo falan-nazee dakum ill-laa azaaba (section 1)
“So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment.”
إِنَّ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا
Inna lil mutta qeena mafaaza
Indeed, for the righteous is attainment –
حَدَآئِقَ وَأَعۡنَٰبٗا
Hadaa-iqa wa a’anaa ba
Gardens and grapevines
وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتۡرَابٗا
Wa kaawa ‘iba at raaba
And full-breasted [companions] of equal age
وَكَأۡسٗا دِهَاقٗا
Wa ka’san di haaqa
And a full cup.
لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغۡوٗا وَلَا كِذَّـٰبٗا
Laa yasma’oona fiha lagh waw walaa kizzaba
No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood –
جَزَآءٗ مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَآءً حِسَابٗا
Jazaa-am mir-rabbika ataa-an hisaaba
[As] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account,
رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِۖ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِنۡهُ خِطَابٗا
Rabbis samaa waati wal ardi wa maa baina humar rahmaani laa yam likoona minhu khitaaba
[From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They do not possess from Him [authority for] speech.
يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ صَفّٗاۖ لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنۡ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابٗا
Yauma yaqoo mur roohu wal malaa-ikatu saf-fal laa yatakallamoona illaa man azina lahur rahmaanu wa qaala sawaaba
The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمُ ٱلۡحَقُّۖ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ مَـَٔابًا
Zaalikal yaumul haqqu faman shaa-at ta khaaza illaa rabbihi ma-aaba
That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return.
إِنَّآ أَنذَرۡنَٰكُمۡ عَذَابٗا قَرِيبٗا يَوۡمَ يَنظُرُ ٱلۡمَرۡءُ مَا قَدَّمَتۡ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ ٱلۡكَافِرُ يَٰلَيۡتَنِي كُنتُ تُرَٰبَۢا
In naa anzar naakum azaaban qareebaiy-yauma yan zurul marr-u maa qaddamat yadaahu wa ya qoolul-kaafiru yaa lai tanee kuntu turaaba
Indeed, we have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth, and the disbeliever will say, “Oh, I wish that I were dust!”
Themes of Surah An-Naba
The Surah is built around several powerful themes. Each theme builds upon the last. They create a comprehensive message about faith and accountability.
The Certainty of the Day of Judgment
The central theme is the reality of the Day of Judgment. The Surah begins by challenging those who question it. The first few verses express a tone of certainty. “No! They will come to know. Again, no! They will come to know.” This repetition emphasizes the unavoidable nature of this event. The Surah calls it “The Day of Sorting Out.” On this day, truth will be separated from falsehood. People will be divided based on their deeds. This day is a fixed appointment. No one can escape it.
Signs of Allah’s Power in Creation
To prove the possibility of resurrection, the Surah points to the world around us. Verses 6-16 list many signs of Allah’s magnificent power. These signs are presented as evidence. If Allah can create these wonders, He can surely bring the dead back to life.
- The Earth as a Bed: The Earth is made as a stable, comfortable place for us. It is a wide expanse. We can build homes. We can farm the land.
- Mountains as Pegs: Mountains are not just on the surface. They have deep roots. They stabilize the earth. They act like pegs holding a tent firm.
- Creation in Pairs: Humans are created in pairs, male and female. This allows for companionship. It ensures the continuation of humanity.
- Sleep for Rest: Sleep is a gift. It allows our bodies and minds to rest. It restores our energy.
- Night and Day: The night provides cover and tranquility. The day is for seeking livelihood. This perfect cycle is a sign of divine order.
- The Seven Strong Heavens: Above us are strong, structured heavens. This points to the immense power of the Creator.
- A Blazing Lamp: The sun is a burning lamp. It provides light and heat. It is essential for life on Earth.
- Life-Giving Rain: Allah sends down rain from the clouds. This water brings dead land back to life. It produces grains, plants, and lush gardens.
These signs are not random. They are part of a meticulous system. They show a powerful and wise Creator.
The Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked
Surah An-Naba paints a clear picture of two different destinies. It shows the fate of the transgressors. It also shows the reward for the righteous. This contrast serves as a powerful moral lesson.
The Fate of Transgressors:
For those who denied the truth, Hell is described as a place lying in wait. It is a final home for. They will remain there for ages. They will taste no coolness or refreshing drink. Their only drink will be boiling water and foul fluid. This is presented as a fitting punishment for their disbelief and evil deeds. The Surah states they did not expect a reckoning. They strongly denied the signs of Allah.
The Reward of the Righteous:
For the righteous, there is victory and triumph. They will be rewarded with beautiful gardens and vineyards. They will have companions. Therefore, they will enjoy overflowing cups of a pure drink. In Paradise, they will hear no idle or false speech. It is a place of peace and contentment. This reward is described as a generous gift from their Lord. It is a sufficient reward for their faith and good deeds.
Lessons We Can Learn from Surah An-Naba
Surah An-Naba offers timeless guidance for all believers. Its lessons are practical and transformative.
- Live with Purpose: The Surah reminds us that this life is temporary. There is a greater reality to come. This understanding should motivate us to live with purpose. Every action has a consequence. We should strive to do good. We should avoid what is forbidden.
- Reflect on Creation: We are encouraged to look at the world around us. The sky, the earth, the mountains, and the rain are all signs of Allah. Reflecting on these signs can strengthen our faith. It cultivates a sense of awe and gratitude.
- Embrace Accountability: The concept of the Day of Judgment instills a sense of accountability. Knowing that we will be judged for our deeds encourages us to be mindful of our actions. It helps us stay on the path of righteousness.
- Seek Knowledge: The Surah challenges denial with logic and evidence. It prompts us to seek knowledge. We should understand our faith on a deeper level. This protects us from doubt and confusion.
- Find Hope in Divine Mercy: While the warnings about Hell are stern, the descriptions of Paradise offer immense hope. Allah’s mercy is vast. His rewards for the righteous are generous. This should inspire us to strive for His pleasure. We should never lose hope in His mercy.
Conclusion
The final verse of Surah An-Naba is incredibly powerful. It captures the ultimate regret of the disbeliever. “Indeed, we have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth, and the disbeliever will say, ‘Oh, I wish that I were dust!'”
This wish is not just an expression of despair. It is a profound admission of failure. Dust is the humblest of materials. It is stepped on. It is without consciousness or accountability. Yet, on that Day, the disbeliever sees that even dust holds a more honorable position. Dust is an obedient part of Allah’s creation. It contributes to life. A seed turns into a plant in the dust. In contrast, the person who denied Allah’s signs used their life for rebellion. They recognize that their existence, blessed with intellect and free will, was wasted. The desire to be dust is the final, crushing acknowledgment that a life lived without God is a life worth less than the ground beneath one’s feet. It is the ultimate statement of self-condemnation.
