Surah Az-Zukhruf [43] | Overview, Themes, Lessons & More

Surah Name: Az-Zukhruf (سورة الزخرف)
Translation: The Gold Adornments / Ornamental Gold
Origin of name: The Surah is named after the word “Zukhruf” (gold or ornaments) mentioned in verse 35, referring to worldly luxury that distracts people from truth.

Surah Number: 43
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 89

Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: Second half of the Makkan period, after the revelation of Surah Ash-Shura

Historical Context

Surah Az-Zukhruf was revealed during the latter part of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) time in Makkah. This period was marked by the increasing resistance and arrogance of the Quraysh leaders toward the message of Islam. The Muslims were still a minority, and the majority of Makkans rejected the idea of one God, clinging instead to idol worship and tribal traditions passed down from their ancestors.

As Islam began gaining attention among the population, the Quraysh elite expressed mockery and rejection, often questioning why the Qur’an had not been revealed to a powerful or wealthy man from Makkah or Ta’if. They argued that status and wealth should determine who qualifies as a prophet. This attitude reflects the materialistic values and class-based society of the time.

Additionally, the Makkan society took pride in their lineage and the traditions of their forefathers. Many of them worshipped idols and considered ancestral customs to be sacred. As mentioned in the Surah, they even attributed holiness to angels, claiming they were daughters of Allah, despite considering daughters a source of shame for themselves.

Main Themes

• Qur’an as Divine Revelation:
  The surah begins by affirming that the Qur’an is a revelation from Allah, not man-made. Despite its clarity and truth, many reject it proudly, just as earlier nations rejected previous prophets and were destroyed as a result.

• Tawheed (Oneness of Allah):
  It emphasizes Allah’s oneness by highlighting His creation of the heavens and the earth. Although the disbelievers admit that Allah created everything, they still commit shirk by worshiping angels or other beings, which goes against true belief.

• Falsehood of Blind Following and Idol Worship:
  The surah criticizes those who blindly follow their ancestors in matters of belief, especially in idol worship. Prophet Ibrahim is mentioned as an example of someone who rejected his father’s false religion and followed true monotheism.

• Worldly Wealth and Arrogance:
  The disbelievers mock the Prophet (pbuh) by saying that the Qur'an should have been revealed to someone wealthy or powerful. The surah replies that wealth is a test and that Allah divides provisions as He wills. True honor comes through guidance, not riches.

• Prophets and Opposition:
  The pattern of prophets facing denial from arrogant individuals is repeated with the story of Musa and Pharaoh. Those who are spiritually deaf and blind cannot be guided. The Qur’an, however, remains a source of wisdom and honor for those who believe.

• Clarification about Prophet Isa (Jesus):
  The surah corrects misconceptions about Jesus. He was a servant and prophet of Allah, not divine. Those who exaggerated his status will face punishment for going astray.

• Reality of the Hereafter:
  The surah warns about the sudden arrival of the Day of Judgment. Believers will be rewarded with peace and joy, but disbelievers will suffer eternal punishment in Hell. Their pleas to end their lives will not be answered.

• Reminder and Final Warnings:
  In the end, the surah returns to the theme of Allah’s oneness, power, and final judgment. It closes with a message of patience for the Prophet (pbuh), reassuring him that disbelievers will eventually realize the truth, even if they reject it now.

Key Lessons from Surah Az-Zukhruf

• The Qur'an is a divine revelation, not human-made or magic.
• Wealth and status do not determine one’s worth in Allah’s eyes.
• True honor and guidance come from believing in the message of the Qur'an.
• Following family traditions blindly can lead to misguidance.
• Belief in one God (tawheed) is the foundation of faith.
• Rejecting the message due to arrogance or materialism has severe consequences.
• The Day of Judgment will come suddenly and bring justice to all.

Notable Ayahs from Surah Az-Zukhruf

• Verse 3:
  "Certainly, We have made it a Quran in Arabic so perhaps you will understand."
  This verse highlights the clarity and accessibility of the Quran, revealed in the Arabic language for better understanding.

• Verse 15:
  "Still the pagans have made some of His creation out to be a part of Him. Indeed, humankind is clearly ungrateful."
  A criticism of those who associate partners with Allah, despite being His creations.

• Verse 18-19:
  "˹Do they attribute to Him˺ those who are brought up in fineries and are not commanding in disputes? Still they have labelled the angels, who are servants of the Most Compassionate, as female. Did they witness their creation? Their statement will be recorded, and they will be questioned!"
  These verses reject the idea that angels are female, a belief held by the polytheists, and warn of consequences for false claims.

• Verse 23:
  "Similarly, whenever We sent a warner to a society before you ˹O Prophet˺, its ˹spoiled˺ elite would say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are walking in their footsteps.”"
  A reference to blind following of tradition, used by past and present disbelievers to reject the truth.

• Verse 31:
  "And they exclaimed, “If only this Quran was revealed to a great man from ˹one of˺ the two cities!””
  The verse reflects the arrogance of those who judge revelation based on social status rather than truth.

• Verse 33-35:
  "Were it not that people might ˹be tempted to˺ become one community ˹of disbelievers˺, We would have supplied the homes of ˹only˺ those who disbelieve in the Most Compassionate with silver roofs and ˹silver˺ stairways to ascend, as well as ˹silver˺ gates and thrones to recline on, and ornaments ˹of gold˺. Yet all this is no more than a ˹fleeting˺ enjoyment in this worldly life. ˹But˺ the Hereafter with your Lord is ˹only˺ for those mindful ˹of Him˺."
  These verses show that worldly luxury is not a sign of divine favor and warn against being deceived by material wealth.

• Verse 36-37:
  "And whoever turns a blind eye to the Reminder of the Most Compassionate, We place at the disposal of each a devilish one as their close associate, who will certainly hinder them from the ˹Right˺ Way while they think they are ˹rightly˺ guided."
  A powerful message about the danger of neglecting divine guidance.

• Verse 61:
  "And his ˹second˺ coming is truly a sign for the Hour. So have no doubt about it, and follow me. This is the Straight Path."
  A verse connecting Prophet Jesus (Isa) to the signs of the Day of Judgment and calling to the path of guidance.

• Verse 67:
  "Close friends will be enemies to one another on that Day, except the righteous,"
  An important reminder that only pious relationships survive and benefit a person in the afterlife.

• Verse 80:
  "Or do they think that We do not hear their ˹evil˺ thoughts and secret talks? Yes ˹We do˺! And Our messenger-angels are in their presence, recording ˹it all˺."
  This verse affirms that nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge, not even what is hidden.

• Verse 88-89:
  "˹Allah is Aware of˺ the Prophet’s cry: “O my Lord! Indeed, these are a people who persist in disbelief.” So bear with them and respond with peace. They will soon come to know."
  The closing verses show the Prophet's (pbuh) concern and Allah’s command for patience and peaceful conduct until the truth becomes clear.