Surah Name: Al-Insan (سورة الإنسان)
Translation: The Human
Origin of name: The Surah takes its name from the word "Insan" (human) which appears in the first verse.
Surah Number: 76
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 31
Makki or Madani: Disputed — Majority opinion is Madani, but some hold it as Makki or partially Makki and partially Madani.
Historical Context
Surah Al-Insan takes its name from the word “insān” (man) in the first verse, which refers to the state of nothingness before the creation of humankind. The surah is also known by other names such as Dehr, Amshāj, Abrār, and Hal Atā.
According to the majority of scholars — including Mujāhid b. Jabr and Qatāda b. Di‘āmah — the surah was revealed in Medina [1]. Based on this, reports stating that it was revealed after Sūrat al-Raḥmān and before Sūrat al-Ṭalāq as the ninetieth surah can be considered accurate.
According to another narration, ‘Ikrimah stated that the surah was revealed in Medina except for verse 24. However, some scholars — such as Ibn ‘Āshūr (XXIX, 370) — hold that it was entirely revealed in Mecca as the 30th or 31st surah, while others — like Ibn al-Jawzī [2] — believe that verses 1–24 are Medinan and the rest Meccan.
According to some reports, this surah was revealed in connection with an event in which ʿAlī and Fāṭimah prepared some halva (a sweet dish) one evening, and when a poor person, an orphan, and a captive came to their door, they offered the food to them instead of eating it themselves. According to this narration, expressions such as “They give food—despite their love for it—to the needy, the orphan, and the captive” (Surah al-Insān, verse 8) refer to this act of selfless giving. [3]
References:
[1] Shawkānī, Fatḥ al-Qadīr, V, 397
[2] Zād al-Masīr, VIII, 427
[3] Al-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl
Main Themes of Surah Al-Insan
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Human Creation and Purpose:
The surah begins by reminding humans that there was a time when they were nothing. It highlights that Allah created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, tested them with free will, and guided them to the path of gratitude or denial. -
Free Will and Moral Responsibility:
Allah has given humans the ability to choose between good and evil. Each person is responsible for their choices, and those who choose righteousness will be rewarded, while those who turn away will face consequences. -
The Rewards of the Righteous (Al-Abrar):
A major section of the surah describes in beautiful detail the rewards awaiting the righteous in Paradise: flowing springs, fine silk garments, silver cups, delicious drinks, and the company of loyal companions. These rewards come as a result of their patience and sacrifices. -
Compassion and Charity:
The surah praises those who feed the poor, orphans, and captives purely for the sake of Allah, expecting no reward or thanks. It shows that sincere charity, done only to please Allah, leads to great spiritual benefit. -
Patience and Devotion:
The righteous are described as those who stay firm in faith, fear the Day of Judgment, pray regularly, and give to others. Their patience plays a key role in attaining Allah’s mercy and blessings. -
Allah’s Control and Mercy:
It ends by stating that Allah has full control over what He wills. His mercy encompasses whom He chooses, and He guides those who seek His path while warning the disbelievers of a painful punishment.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Insan
- Allah guided humans and gave them free will to choose belief or denial.
- Serving others, especially the poor and needy, is a key part of faith.
- Patience, sincerity, and faith bring honor in this life and the next.
- The Day of Judgment will separate the grateful from the ungrateful.
- Regular remembrance of Allah helps believers stay on the right path.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Insan
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Verse 1:
"Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning?"
This verse reminds humans of their origins before creation. -
Verse 2:
"˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see."
Highlights the purpose of human creation: to be tested. -
Verse 3:
"We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺ be grateful or ungrateful."
Stresses that guidance is offered, but people must choose their path. -
Verse 5:
"Indeed, the virtuous will have a drink ˹of pure wine˺—flavoured with camphor (a fragrant substance)."
Part of the description of Paradise and its rewards for the righteous. -
Verse 7-9:
"They ˹are those who˺ fulfil ˹their˺ vows and fear a Day of sweeping horror, and give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, ˹saying to themselves,˺ “We feed you only for the sake of Allah, seeking neither reward nor thanks from you."
Shows the pure intentions of the righteous who help others for Allah's sake alone. -
Verse 13:
"There they will be reclining on ˹canopied˺ couches, never seeing scorching heat or bitter cold."
Describes the peaceful comfort of Paradise. -
Verse 22:
"˹And they will be told,˺ “All this is surely a reward for you. Your striving has been appreciated.”"
A beautiful acknowledgment that all the efforts of the righteous are valued by Allah. -
Verse 29-30:
"Surely this is a reminder. So let whoever wills take the ˹Right˺ Way to their Lord. But you cannot will ˹to do so˺ unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. He admits whoever He wills into His mercy. As for the wrongdoers, He has prepared for them a painful punishment."
Reminds people that true guidance is ultimately by the will of Allah.
