Surah Name: Al-Hadid (سورة الحديد)
Translation: The Iron
Origin of name: The surah takes its name from the word Hadid (iron), which appears in verse 25.
Surah Number: 57
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 29
Makki or Madani: Predominantly Madani, though there are reports of some verses being revealed in Makkah, most scholars, based on narrations from Ibn Abbas and others, affirm its Madani origin. Some exegetes note that the first nine verses resemble Makkan style, while the rest are clearly Madani.
Approximate Time of Revelation: Later Medinan period, with some verses possibly revealed after the conquest of Makkah.
Historical Context
Surah Al-Hadid addresses the Muslim community during a time when faith, sacrifice, and social responsibility were crucial. It emphasizes belief in Allah and His Messenger, encouraging charity (infāq) and good deeds. Unlike the early Makkan years, where the focus was on tawḥīd (monotheism) and the afterlife in the face of persecution, the Madinan period was characterized by the formation of a social and political order.
According to a narration reported by Bezzar, Tabarani, al-Bayhaqi, and Ibn Asakir, when ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab entered his sister’s house before embracing Islam, he saw a page containing verses from Surah Al-Hadid, including: Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend (in charity) out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who believe and spend, there will be a great reward (57:7). Reading this reportedly influenced his conversion. However, Al-Alusi notes that stronger evidence indicates the verses ʿUmar read were from Surah Ṭā-Hā, making the former narration weak [1].
ʿIrbad ibn Sariya narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) used to recite the Musabbihāt (Al-Hadid; Al-Hashr; As-Saff; Al-Jumuʿah; At-Taghabun) before sleeping and said: In them is a verse that is more valuable than a thousand verses. [2]
References:
[1] Rūḥ al-Maʿānī, XIV, 164
[2] Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, IV, 128; Abu Dawud, “Adab”, 97; Tirmidhi, “Virtues of the Qur’an”, 21; “Supplications”, 22.
Main Themes of Surah Al-Hadid
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Glorification of Allah and His Attributes:
The surah begins with praise for Allah, who is powerful, all-knowing, and the sovereign of the heavens and the earth. His knowledge and authority extend over everything—seen and unseen. -
Call to Faith and Generosity:
Believers are invited to sincerely accept faith and follow the Prophet, who calls them from darkness into light. Belief must be shown through action, especially by spending in the way of Allah, demonstrating true devotion and trust. -
Virtue of Early Supporters:
Those who supported the faith through struggle and charity before the victory of Islam (like the Conquest of Mecca) are given higher rank than those who came later, although all sincere believers will be rewarded. -
Comparison Between Believers and Hypocrites:
The surah contrasts the fate of true believers and hypocrites in the Hereafter. Believers will receive light and rewards on Judgment Day, while hypocrites will be left in darkness, regret, and punishment for their insincerity. -
Temporary Nature of Worldly Life:
Life on earth is described as short and deceptive, filled with distractions like wealth and pride. Instead, Muslims are encouraged to seek forgiveness and compete in doing good to earn Paradise, which is much better and everlasting. -
Everything is From Allah:
Joys and losses in life should be accepted calmly because everything happens by Allah’s will. People should not become arrogant from gains nor fall into despair over losses. -
Justice, Power, and the Symbol of Iron:
Allah sent prophets and scriptures to establish justice. Iron is mentioned as a symbol of physical strength and power, indicating the need for practical means (like governance and strength) to uphold truth and justice. -
Warning Against Misguided Religious Practices:
The surah mentions how some followers of earlier scriptures, especially Christians, invented monasticism. Though it was meant to seek Allah’s pleasure, many failed to follow it sincerely. -
Superiority of True Believers:
The surah concludes by emphasizing that those who truly follow Allah—especially Muslims who uphold faith and take right action—are more deserving of His mercy and guidance than those who claim it but do not follow through. -
Encouragement to Remain Steadfast:
Believers are told to stay true to their faith, be steadfast, and trust that Allah’s help and blessings will come to those who are sincere and obedient.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Hadid
- Everything in the heavens and earth praises Allah.
- Believers must have strong faith and support the Prophet sincerely.
- Giving for the sake of Allah (charity) shows true belief and brings great reward.
- True believers will have light guiding them on the Day of Judgment, while hypocrites will be left in darkness.
- The life of this world is short and should not distract from eternal rewards.
- People should not be proud of what they gain or sad about what they lose—everything comes from Allah.
- Justice must be supported with both faith and strength; power (symbolized by iron) should serve justice.
- Allah sent prophets and books to guide people and establish fairness.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Hadid
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Verse 1:
"Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, for He is the Almighty, All-Wise."
A powerful opening reminding that all of creation praises Allah. -
Verse 7:
"Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and donate from what He has entrusted you with. So those of you who believe and donate will have a mighty reward."
A call to faith and generosity, highlighting that wealth is a trust from Allah. -
Verse 10:
"And why should you not spend in the cause of Allah, while Allah is the ˹sole˺ inheritor of the heavens and the earth? Those of you who donated and fought before the victory ˹over Mecca˺ are unparalleled. They are far greater in rank than those who donated and fought afterwards. Yet Allah has promised each a fine reward. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do."
A distinction between early and later believers, yet affirming that all sincere ones will be rewarded. -
Verse 12:
"On that Day you will see believing men and women with their light shining ahead of them and on their right. ˹They will be told,˺ “Today you have good news of Gardens, under which rivers flow, ˹for you˺ to stay in forever. This is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.”"
A beautiful image of the reward for true believers on the Day of Judgment. -
Verse 13:
"On that Day hypocrite men and women will beg the believers, “Wait for us so that we may have some of your light.” It will be said ˹mockingly˺, “Go back ˹to the world˺ and seek a light ˹there˺!” Then a ˹separating˺ wall with a gate will be erected between them. On the near side will be grace and on the far side will be torment."
Describes the painful fate of hypocrites, separated from the believers. -
Verse 20:
"Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the planters. But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to chaff. And in the Hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment."
A deep reminder about the temporary nature of worldly life. -
Verse 23:
"˹We let you know this˺ so that you neither grieve over what you have missed nor boast over what He has granted you. For Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful—"
Guidance about handling life's ups and downs with humility. -
Verse 25:
"Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and with them We sent down the Scripture and the balance ˹of justice˺ so that people may administer justice. And We sent down iron with its great might, benefits for humanity, and means for Allah to prove who ˹is willing to˺ stand up for Him and His messengers without seeing Him. Surely Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty."
A reminder that strength and justice must go hand in hand, and that material power like iron has divine purpose. -
Verse 27:
"Then in the footsteps of these ˹prophets˺, We sent Our messengers, and ˹after them˺ We sent Jesus, son of Mary, and granted him the Gospel, and instilled compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers. As for monasticism, they made it up—We never ordained it for them—only seeking to please Allah, yet they did not ˹even˺ observe it strictly. So We rewarded those of them who were faithful. But most of them are rebellious."
This ayah recognizes the virtues and failings of some earlier followers of Christianity.
