Surah Saba in English Translation with Explain

Surah Saba (Arabic: سبأ) is the 34th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 54 verses. The name "Saba" refers to the people of the kingdom of Sheba, a powerful ancient civilization mentioned in the surah. This chapter addresses themes such as gratitude to Allah, the rejection of divine signs by the disbelievers, the stories of past prophets, the consequences of arrogance, and the benefits of acknowledging Allah’s sovereignty. The surah also emphasizes the signs of Allah’s power present in the natural world and in history.

General Themes of Surah Saba:

The Blessings and Power of Allah: Emphasizes the greatness and sovereignty of Allah, and how His signs and blessings are evident in the natural world.
Gratitude and Acknowledgment of Allah's Blessings: The surah calls on people to be thankful to Allah for His countless favors, including guidance and sustenance.
The Story of Prophet Dawood (David): The surah recounts the story of Prophet Dawood and his kingdom, his wisdom, and the gifts given to him by Allah.
The People of Sheba: The surah includes the story of the people of Sheba, their prosperity, their ingratitude, and the eventual destruction they faced.
The Accountability on the Day of Judgment: The surah reminds people of the Day of Judgment and the consequences of disbelieving and rejecting Allah’s signs.
The Arrogance of Disbelievers: It criticizes those who are arrogant and dismissive of the message of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and those who follow their own desires.

English Translation and Explanation of Key Verses:

1. Verse 1:

"Praise be to Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. His is the praise in the Hereafter, and He is the Wise, the All-Aware." This opening verse establishes the majesty of Allah, who holds dominion over everything in the heavens and on earth. He is the one worthy of all praise in both this world and the Hereafter, emphasizing His wisdom and awareness of all things.

2. Verse 6:

"And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy." This verse affirms the truth of the Qur'an, which is a guidance for those who possess knowledge and understanding. It highlights that the message of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the ultimate truth, leading to the path of Allah, who is mighty and praiseworthy.

3. Verse 10-11:

"Indeed, We gave to Dawood (David) a great favor from Us: 'O mountains, repeat his praises!' And the birds gathered. And We made the iron soft for him." This verse narrates the blessings Allah gave to Prophet Dawood (PBUH). Allah commanded the mountains and birds to praise Him along with Dawood. Additionally, He made iron soft for Dawood, enabling him to create armor and other beneficial items. This demonstrates the extraordinary gifts given to the prophet in his rule.

4. Verse 15:

"There was for Saba a sign in their homeland: two gardens to the right and to the left. 'Eat from the provision of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land and a forgiving Lord.'" This verse refers to the prosperity of the people of Sheba, who had abundant gardens and blessings from Allah. Allah commands them to be grateful for the wealth and beauty of their land, a reminder of the importance of gratitude for Allah’s provisions.

5. Verse 16:

"But they turned away, so We sent upon them the flood of 'Arim, and We replaced their two gardens with gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks, and a few lote trees." The people of Sheba were ungrateful for the blessings Allah had given them. As a result, they faced punishment in the form of the great flood of 'Arim, which destroyed their beautiful gardens and replaced them with barren land. This serves as a lesson about the consequences of ingratitude and arrogance.

6. Verse 18:

"And We placed between them and the towns which We had blessed visible towns, and We made the journey between them easy, [saying], 'Travel between them by night or day in safety.'" This verse refers to how Allah made the journey between blessed towns easy for the people of Sheba. They were able to travel safely, with prosperity and ease. It further emphasizes the blessings that were available to them if they had been thankful to Allah.

7. Verse 23:

"No intercession will avail except for him whom the Most Merciful has permitted and whose word He has accepted." This verse speaks to the intercession on the Day of Judgment, indicating that no one can intercede for others except by Allah’s permission. Only those whom Allah allows will be able to intercede on behalf of others.

8. Verse 24:

"Say, 'Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whatever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.'" This verse reminds the believers of Allah’s infinite names, each reflecting His greatness. Whether calling upon "Allah" or "Ar-Rahman" (the Most Merciful), all of Allah’s names are perfect, and they point to His mercy, power, and wisdom.

9. Verse 31:

"And the disbelievers say, 'We will never believe in this Qur'an, nor in that which was before it.' But if you could only see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, [pleading], 'Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so return us to the world; we will do righteousness; indeed, we are now certain.'" This verse criticizes the disbelievers who reject the Qur'an, even though it is the truth. It describes how, on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will regret their actions, wishing they could return to the world to make amends. However, it will be too late for them to repent.

10. Verse 36-37:

"Say, 'Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it for whom He wills. And whatever you spend – He will compensate it, and He is the best of providers.'" This verse reminds the believers that Allah controls all provisions, and He gives to whom He pleases, whether in abundance or restriction. Allah is the best provider and compensates for whatever is spent in His way. It teaches that reliance on Allah and charity bring His blessings.

11. Verse 39:

"Say, 'Indeed, my Lord expands and restricts provision to whom He wills. And whatever you spend – He will compensate it, and He is the best of providers.'" Here, Allah’s command over sustenance and provision is emphasized again, and the verse assures the believers that their charitable acts will not go unrewarded. Allah compensates all acts of goodness, showing His generosity and care for His servants.

12. Verse 46:

"Say, 'I do not ask you for it any reward, nor am I of the pretentious. It is not but a reminder for the worlds.'" In this verse, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is instructed to tell people that he does not ask for any reward for delivering the message of Allah. The Qur'an is merely a reminder for the worlds of the truth and guidance, and it is not driven by personal gain or pretension.

13. Verse 50:

"Say, 'I do not say to you that I have the depositories of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I follow only what is revealed to me.'" This verse clarifies the position of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He is not claiming to have divine knowledge or control over the unseen but follows only what Allah has revealed to him. It stresses the humility and submission of the Prophet to the will of Allah.

14. Verse 53:

"And when Our verses are recited to them as clear proofs, they say, 'This is not but a man who wishes to avert you from that which your forefathers used to worship.' And they say, 'This is not but a lie.'" This verse refers to the rejection of the Qur'an by disbelievers. Despite the clear signs and miracles shown to them, they deny the truth and dismiss it as a fabrication, falsely accusing the Prophet of trying to lead them astray from their ancestors’ practices.

Key Lessons from Surah Saba:

Gratitude for Allah’s Blessings: The surah emphasizes the importance of being thankful for the countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon humanity, whether in wealth, guidance, or creation. Ingratitude, like that shown by the people of Sheba, leads to destruction and loss.
Divine Sovereignty: Allah’s control over all matters, including provision, sustenance, and the unseen, is highlighted throughout the surah. He is the ultimate provider and decision-maker, and everything happens according to His will.
Prophet Dawood’s Gifts: The story of Prophet Dawood teaches about Allah’s favors, such as the gifts of wisdom, the control over nature, and the power to shape iron. This highlights Allah’s ability to bestow special blessings on His chosen prophets.
The Day of Judgment and Regret: The surah warns those who reject the message of the Qur'an that they will regret their actions on the Day of Judgment, but it will be too late for repentance.
Charity and Generosity: Allah promises to compensate for what is spent in His cause. This verse emphasizes the importance of giving in charity and trusting that Allah will reward and compensate for these deeds.
The Role of the Prophet: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a messenger who delivers the truth as revealed to him, without claiming any special powers. He serves as an example of humility and submission to Allah’s will.

Conclusion:

Surah Saba is a profound reminder of the importance of gratitude, the sovereignty of Allah, and the consequences of arrogance and ingratitude. The surah recounts the stories of past prophets, particularly Prophet Dawood (PBUH) and the people of Sheba, highlighting both the blessings and punishments they experienced. It emphasizes the need for people to reflect on Allah’s signs, to be thankful for His provisions, and to follow the guidance brought by His prophets. The surah also offers comfort to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the believers, reassuring them of the truth of the Qur'an and the ultimate justice of Allah on the Day of Judgment.

Surah Saba in English Translation with Explain