Surah Ash Shuara in English Translation with Explain

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets) with its English translation and explanations. This chapter is the 26th Surah of the Quran, consisting of 227 verses, and it was revealed in Makkah. The Surah highlights the stories of various prophets and their struggles with their respective peoples.

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets)

Chapter 26 | Makkan Surah | 227 Verses

Verses 1–9: Introduction and the Quran’s Truth

Arabic:
طسٓمٓ
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
لَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ءَايَةًۭ فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَـٰقُهُمْ لَهَا خَـٰضِعِينَ
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مُحْدَثٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهُۥ مُعْرِضِينَ
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ فَسَيَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَـٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمْ أَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ كَرِيمٍ
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Translation:

Tā-Sīn-Mīm.
These are the verses of the clear Book.
Perhaps you would kill yourself [with grief] that they will not be believers.
If We willed, We could send down to them from the sky a sign for which their necks would remain humbled.
And no mention comes to them anew from the Most Merciful except that they turn away from it.
For they have already denied, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to ridicule.
Have they not looked at the earth - how much We have produced therein from every noble kind?
Indeed, in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

Explanation:

Verses 1-2: The Quran is described as clear guidance.
Verse 3: The Prophet’s deep concern for the disbelievers’ rejection of the message is highlighted.
Verses 4-6: Allah affirms His power to compel belief but emphasizes that faith must be a free choice.
Verses 7-9: Signs in nature point to Allah’s greatness, yet many remain heedless.

Verses 10–68: The Story of Musa (Moses)

Summary of Events:

Allah sends Musa to confront Pharaoh and deliver the message of monotheism.
Pharaoh rejects the message, accusing Musa of sorcery.
Musa demonstrates miracles (staff turning into a snake and his glowing hand) as signs from Allah.
Pharaoh and his chiefs plot against Musa, leading to a public contest between Musa and the magicians.
Musa's staff swallows the magicians' tricks, and they declare faith in Allah, defying Pharaoh’s threats.
Allah commands Musa to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Pharaoh pursues them, and Allah miraculously parts the sea for Musa and his people. Pharaoh and his army drown.

Key Lessons from Musa’s Story:

Faith in Adversity: Musa and his followers demonstrate unwavering trust in Allah despite threats and oppression.
Divine Justice: Pharaoh’s arrogance leads to his downfall, illustrating that no power can stand against Allah.
The Role of Signs: Allah’s signs serve as proof for sincere seekers of truth, but the arrogant reject them.

Verses 69–104: The Story of Ibrahim (Abraham)

Ibrahim confronts his people’s idolatry, challenging their worship of lifeless idols.
He destroys their idols except for the largest one, as a means to make them reflect on the futility of idol worship.
Despite his logical argument, they reject his message and attempt to burn him alive.
Allah saves Ibrahim, showing His protection over the believers.

Key Lessons from Ibrahim’s Story:

Firmness in Tawheed (Monotheism): Ibrahim’s dedication to calling people to worship Allah alone serves as an example for all believers.
Patience and Courage: Ibrahim faces opposition with steadfastness and relies on Allah for protection.

Verses 105–227: Stories of Other Prophets and Their Peoples

Nuh (Noah): He warns his people for centuries, but they reject him, leading to their destruction by the flood.
Hud and Salih: They call their people (‘Ad and Thamud) to worship Allah, but both peoples are destroyed for their arrogance.
Lut (Lot): Lut warns his people against their immoral acts, but they mock him. They are destroyed by a storm of stones.
Shu’ayb: He warns the people of Madyan against fraud and cheating in trade, but they too are destroyed for their disbelief.

Key Lessons from These Stories:

Universal Message: All prophets convey the same core message—worship Allah alone and follow His guidance.
Divine Punishment: Persisting in disbelief and arrogance leads to destruction.
Prophetic Struggles: Prophets faced rejection and ridicule, but their perseverance and trust in Allah serve as a model for believers.

Verses 224–227: The Role of Poets

The Surah concludes by distinguishing between true believers and misguided poets.
While poets may lead people astray with empty words, those who believe and do righteous deeds are praised.

Key Themes of Surah Ash-Shu'ara

The Quran as Guidance: Its verses clarify truth and warn against heedlessness.
Stories of Prophets: They emphasize the struggles of messengers and the fate of those who reject the truth.
Divine Justice: Arrogance and disbelief lead to destruction, while faith leads to salvation.
Trust in Allah: The prophets’ reliance on Allah demonstrates the power of faith and perseverance.

Surah Ash Shuara in English Translation with Explain