Sūrat al-Zumar

Sūrah No. 39. Revealed in Makkah, 75 verses.

Merits of reciting the Sūrah

According to Tafsīr Namūneh there has been extraordinary emphasis on reciting of Sūrat al-Zumar.

Whoever recites Sūrat al-Zumar Allah will not disappoint his hope [in His mercy] and will give him the reward of those who fear Allah- Holy Prophet a

From Imam al-Sādiq (a): Whoever recites Sūrat al-Zumar Allah will give him dignity in the world and the Hereafter and honor him with other than wealth or family. Whoever sees him will be in awe of him and his body will be forbidden to the Fire.

Note: Quranic Scholars say that the reward is connected to the contents of the Sūrah and requires that recitation be done with awareness, comprehension, reflection and having an intention of implementation.

General synopsis of contents

The central theme of the Sūrah is devout and sincere religious practice. These were the teachings revealed in Makkah that were the foundation for the belief and actions of the Muslims in Madīnah. Many important concepts in the relationship between Allah and the human being have been mentioned in this Sūrah.

These include:

1) Sincere belief in God and His Lordship (vv. 2-14)

2) Justice of Allah on the Day of Judgment and in the Hereafter (throughout the Sūrah)

3) The Quran (vv. 1, 23, 27-28, 41)

4) Signs of Allah (vv. 21, 38)

Selected Lessons

1) Religion and worship should be sincerely for Allah only.

2) Those who know and those who don’t know cannot be the same (see v. 9).

3) Allah expands the chest of a believer with a light from Him (see v. 22).

4) A believer is emotionally affected by the Quran (see v. 23).

5) Allah takes the soul at the time of sleep (see v.42).

6) Do not ever despair of the mercy of Allah (see v. 53).

7) Human beings do not regard Allah with what is due to Him (see v. 67)

Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.

1) 39:10 – Say, ‘O My servants who have faith! Be wary of your Lord. For those who do good in this world there will be a good reward, and Allah’s earth is vast. Indeed, the patient will be paid in full their reward without any reckoning.’

2) 39:11 – Say: ‘I am commanded that I should serve Allah with sincere devotion.’

Activities for self-study

1) The Ulul Albab (people of understanding) are mentioned three times in this Sūrah. What are the qualities described for them?

2) What will be the regrets on the Day of Judgment as described in verses 56-58 of the Sūrah?