Surah Name: Saba (سورة سبأ)
Translation: Sheba
Origin of name: The Surah is named "Saba" after the people of Sheba (Saba), a historic kingdom mentioned in verse 15.
Surah Number: 34
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 54
Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: During the second half of the Makkan period.
Historical Context
Surah Saba was revealed during the mid to late period of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission in Makkah. This was a time when the message of Islam had been spreading for several years, but the opposition from the Quraysh and other polytheists remained firm and aggressive. The disbelievers persistently denied both the Oneness of God and the concept of life after death. Their worldview was centered on material success and ancestral traditions, and they rejected the notion of divine accountability or resurrection.
This resistance was not limited to common people but also included influential figures in Makkah, such as Abu Sufyan, who is mentioned in some accounts as having mocked the idea of resurrection and divine punishment. However, this attitude reflected a broader social norm of denying the unseen and focusing on worldly power and wealth [1].
Economically, Makkah was a prosperous trade city, and many of its elites were invested in maintaining the status quo that benefited them. Spiritually, it was dominated by polytheism and idol worship centered around the Ka‘bah. In such an environment, a message calling for monotheism and accountability in the Hereafter was seen as a threat.
References:
[1] Abū Ḥayyān al-Andalusī, al-Baḥr al-Muḥīṭ, vol. VII, p. 256
Main Themes
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Belief in Allah’s Oneness and the Afterlife:
The surah strongly emphasizes the core Islamic beliefs in the oneness of Allah (tawhid) and the reality of life after death. Disbelievers are criticized for rejecting resurrection and divine accountability, considering them irrational. -
Worldly Power Is Temporary:
Examples of Prophet Dawud (David), Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), and the kingdom of Saba’ are given to show that while some were blessed with power and wealth, these were temporary and ultimately ended. Real success comes from obedience to Allah, not from material strength. -
Consequences of Disobedience:
The surah reminds that prosperous nations like the people of Saba’ were destroyed because they turned away from faith and refused to be thankful. Their downfall serves as a warning to those who deny the truth. -
Falsehood of Polytheism:
The worship of multiple gods is rejected. The surah stresses that idols and false gods cannot help or protect people. Only belief in one God leads to salvation. -
Universal Message of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):
The Prophet (pbuh) is described as a mercy for all humanity, not just a specific group. His role is to guide, warn, and deliver the divine message clearly, expecting no reward in return. -
Judgment Day and Personal Responsibility:
Scenes from the afterlife highlight regret among the disbelievers. Leaders and followers will both be held accountable. Wealth and children will not benefit anyone unless paired with faith and righteous deeds. -
Rejection of the Quran by the Disbelievers:
The disbelievers accuse the Prophet of fabricating the Quran or practicing magic. The surah defends the Quran's divine origin and calls people to honestly reflect, either alone or together, on its message. -
Truth Will Prevail:
The surah assures that, despite denial and mockery, the truth of Islam will ultimately be victorious. On the Day of Judgment, belief that comes too late will not save anyone.
Key Lessons from Surah Saba
- Belief in the afterlife is essential; denying it leads to misguidance and regret.
- Earthly wealth and power are temporary; only faith and good deeds bring lasting success.
- Previous nations like the people of Saba were destroyed due to their arrogance and ingratitude.
- False gods cannot intercede or benefit anyone; only Allah can help.
- Real honor comes from faith, not from material possessions or family ties.
- The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a warner to all of humanity, not just one group.
- Deep thinking and self-reflection can guide people to the truth of Islam.
- Accepting the truth too late, after death or at the Day of Judgment, will bring no benefit.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Saba
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Verse 3:
"The disbelievers say, “The Hour will never come to us.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Yes—by my Lord, the Knower of the unseen—it will certainly come to you!” Not ˹even˺ an atom’s weight is hidden from Him in the heavens or the earth; nor anything smaller or larger than that, but is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record.'"
A strong confirmation of the Day of Judgment in response to the denial of disbelievers. -
Verse 10-11:
"Indeed, We granted David a ˹great˺ privilege from Us, ˹commanding:˺ “O mountains! Echo his hymns! And the birds as well.” We made iron mouldable for him, instructing: “Make full-length armour, ˹perfectly˺ balancing the links. And work righteousness ˹O family of David!˺. Indeed, I am All-Seeing of what you do."
Highlights Allah’s blessings upon Prophet Dawud, including spiritual and practical skills. -
Verse 12-14:
"And to Solomon ˹We subjected˺ the wind: its morning stride was a month’s journey and so was its evening stride. And We caused a stream of molten copper to flow for him, and ˹We subjected˺ some of the jinn to work under him by his Lord’s Will. And whoever of them deviated from Our command, We made them taste the torment of the blaze. They made for him whatever he desired of sanctuaries, statues, basins as large as reservoirs, and cooking pots fixed ˹into the ground˺. ˹We ordered:˺ “Work gratefully, O family of David!” ˹Only˺ a few of My servants are ˹truly˺ grateful. When We decreed Solomon’s death, nothing indicated to the ˹subjected˺ jinn that he was dead except the termites eating away his staff. So when he collapsed, the jinn realized that if they had ˹really˺ known the unseen, they would not have remained in ˹such˺ humiliating servitude."
Describes Prophet Sulayman’s blessings and the lesson from his unnoticed death. -
Verse 15-17:
"Indeed, there was a sign for ˹the tribe of˺ Sheba in their homeland: two orchards—one to the right and the other to the left. ˹They were told:˺ “Eat from the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him. ˹Yours is˺ a good land and a forgiving Lord.” But they turned away. So We sent against them a devastating flood, and replaced their orchards with two others producing bitter fruit, fruitless bushes, and a few ˹sparse˺ thorny trees. This is how We rewarded them for their ingratitude. Would We ever punish ˹anyone in such a way˺ except the ungrateful?"
The fall of the prosperous people of Saba due to ingratitude. -
Verse 28:
"We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a deliverer of good news and a warner to all of humanity, but most people do not know."
Affirms the universality of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission. -
Verse 37:
"It is not your wealth or children that bring you closer to Us. But those who believe and do good—it is they who will have a multiplied reward for what they did, and they will be secure in ˹elevated˺ mansions."
Reminds that worldly possessions do not increase one’s worth before Allah. -
Verse 46:
"Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I advise you to do ˹only˺ one thing: stand up for ˹the sake of˺ Allah—individually or in pairs—then reflect. Your fellow man (Prophet Muhammed) is not insane. He is only a warner to you before ˹the coming of˺ a severe punishment."
A call to personal reflection for the disbelievers to recognize the truth. -
Verse 50:
"Say, “If I am astray, the loss is only mine. And if I am guided, it is ˹only˺ because of what my Lord reveals to me. He is indeed All-Hearing, Ever Near.”"
Emphasizes that true guidance comes only from Allah.
