Surah Name: Al-Mursalat (سورة المرسلات)
Translation: The Ones Sent Forth
Origin of name: The name is derived from the first verse of the surah where the word al-mursalat (those sent forth) appears, referring to winds, angels, prophets, or verses of the Qur’an, depending on interpretation.
Surah Number: 77
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 50
Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: Around the 4th year of Prophethood while the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was in Mina
Historical Context
Surah Al-Mursalat was revealed during the early stages of Islam, around the fourth year of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission, while he was in Mina. During this time, the Muslim community was still very small and largely unaccepted by the broader Qurayshi society. The revelation came at a period when opposition to Islam was beginning to intensify, but had not yet reached its peak.
The environment in Makkah during these early years of the Prophethood was one of skepticism and resistance. The Quraysh leaders doubted the Prophet’s message and openly mocked the concept of life after death and divine accountability. The growing message of monotheism and moral accountability challenged their societal norms and power structures.
No specific event is identified as a reason for the revelation of this surah. However, given its strong tone and vivid description of the afterlife and divine judgment, it appears to have served as a warning to those who continued to deny the truth. The surah fits within the broader strategy during the early Makkan period of emphasizing the reality of the Hereafter, creating a sense of urgency, and building the moral foundation of the Muslim community.
The use of powerful imagery and emphatic oaths in this surah aligns with the Qur’anic style of this early period, aimed at capturing attention and making a lasting impression on the listeners, both believers and non-believers.
According to a narration transmitted from Abu Hurayrah (ra), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When one of you recites Surah Al-Mursalat and reaches the verse ‘Then in what statement after this will they believe?’ (فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ), he should say, ‘We have believed in Allah.’” [1]
In other narrations, the Prophet (pbuh) stated:
“Surahs Hud, Al-Waqi‘ah, Al-Qiyamah, Al-Mursalat, Idha ash-shamsu kuwwirat (At-Takwir), Idha as-samaa’un shaqqat (Al-Inshiqaq), and Idha as-samaa’un infatarat (Al-Infitar) have made me old.” [2]
It is also reported that in prayer, the Prophet recited Surah Al-Mursalat together with the following Surah An-Naba’ in a single rak‘ah (unit of prayer). [3,4]
References:
[1] Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-‘Aẓīm, VII, 175, 194
[2] ʿAbd al-Razzāq al-Ṣanʿānī, al-Muṣannaf, III, 368
[3] al-Bukhārī, “Faḍāʾil al-Qurʾān”, 6, 28
[4] Muslim, “Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn”, 275–279
Main Themes of Surah Al-Mursalat
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Affirmation of the Resurrection:
The surah strongly confirms that the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah) will certainly happen. Through oaths at the beginning, it emphasizes the power and order of forces in the universe, pointing to the certainty of an organized end. -
The Day of Distinction (Yawm al-Fasl):
The Day of Judgment is described as the "Day of Separation," where truth and falsehood, and the righteous and the wicked, will be clearly distinguished. -
Warning to the Disbelievers:
A repeated warning, "Woe that Day to the deniers," appears ten times to stress the terrible fate of those who rejected faith, divine messages, and the afterlife. The repetition builds a strong emotional and moral impact. -
Consequences of Ignoring Divine Warnings:
The surah mentions how disbelievers ignore the signs and live only for worldly pleasures. Their arrogance and refusal to bow to Allah will lead to their regret and punishment. -
Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked:
While the wicked face destruction, the righteous (muttaqun), who feared Allah and followed His guidance, will be given a pleasant and honored life in the hereafter. -
Signs of Divine Order in Creation:
The surah includes reflections on human creation, the earth's stability, and natural balance as signs of Allah’s wisdom and power. These signs are reminders that life is not purposeless. -
Call to Belief in the Quran:
The surah ends by challenging the deniers with, “Then in what statement after this will they believe?” making it clear that those who reject the Quran will not believe in any truth.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Mursalat
- The Day of Judgment is certain and will surely come.
- Nature and cosmic forces show the power and order of Allah.
- Life and death are part of Allah’s perfect plan and balance.
- Denying the truth will lead to destruction in the Hereafter.
- Punishments in Hell are severe and no excuses will be accepted.
- Believers who fear Allah will enjoy peace and comfort in Paradise.
- Worldly pleasure and arrogance lead people away from faith.
- Quranic warnings are serious; ignoring them brings regret.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Mursalat
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Verse 1-7:
"By those ˹winds˺ sent forth successively, and those blowing violently, and those scattering ˹rainclouds˺ widely! And ˹by˺ those ˹angels˺ fully distinguishing ˹truth from falsehood˺, and those delivering revelation, ending excuses and giving warnings. Surely, what you are promised will come to pass."
A powerful oath highlighting the forces of nature or angels, affirming that the Day of Judgment will certainly happen. -
Verse 15 (repeated ten times in the Surah):
"Woe on that Day to the deniers!"
A strong warning repeated multiple times to emphasize the terrible fate of those who deny the truth. -
Verse 20:
"Did We not create you from a humble fluid?"
A reminder of human origin and a call to reflect on the Creator's power. -
Verse 25-26:
"Have We not made the earth a lodging for the living and the dead,"
A reflection on the earth as a place of life and burial, showing divine balance and design. -
Verse 30-33:
"Proceed into the shade ˹of smoke˺ which rises in three columns, providing neither coolness nor shelter from the flames. Indeed, it hurls sparks ˹as big˺ as huge castles, and ˹as dark˺ as black camels.”"
A vivid description of the punishment awaiting the deniers in Hell. -
Verse 41-43:
"Indeed, the righteous will be amid ˹cool˺ shade and springs and any fruit they desire. ˹They will be told,˺ “Eat and drink happily for what you used to do.”"
A beautiful glimpse of the reward for those who remain conscious of Allah. -
Verse 50:
"So what message after this ˹Quran˺ would they believe in?"
The final verse, challenging the deniers—if they don't believe in the Quran, what else could convince them?
