Surah 70. Al-Maarij Ways of Ascent - English Translation

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Verses : 44
المعارج
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

1. سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌۢ بِعَذَابٍۢ وَاقِعٍۢ

2. لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَافِعٌۭ

3. مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ذِى ٱلْمَعَارِجِ

4. تَعْرُجُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍۢ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍۢ

5. فَٱصْبِرْ صَبْرًۭا جَمِيلًا

6. إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُۥ بَعِيدًۭا

7. وَنَرَىٰهُ قَرِيبًۭا

8. يَوْمَ تَكُونُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ كَٱلْمُهْلِ

9. وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ

10. وَلَا يَسْـَٔلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًۭا

11. يُبَصَّرُونَهُمْ ۚ يَوَدُّ ٱلْمُجْرِمُ لَوْ يَفْتَدِى مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِئِذٍۭ بِبَنِيهِ

12. وَصَٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَأَخِيهِ

13. وَفَصِيلَتِهِ ٱلَّتِى تُـْٔوِيهِ

14. وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًۭا ثُمَّ يُنجِيهِ

15. كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّهَا لَظَىٰ

16. نَزَّاعَةًۭ لِّلشَّوَىٰ

17. تَدْعُوا۟ مَنْ أَدْبَرَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ

18. وَجَمَعَ فَأَوْعَىٰٓ

19. ۞ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا

20. إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعًۭا

21. وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا

22. إِلَّا ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ

23. ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ دَآئِمُونَ

24. وَٱلَّذِينَ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّۭ مَّعْلُومٌۭ

25. لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ

26. وَٱلَّذِينَ يُصَدِّقُونَ بِيَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

27. وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ

28. إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّهِمْ غَيْرُ مَأْمُونٍۢ

29. وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَٰفِظُونَ

30. إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ

31. فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ

32. وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَٰنَٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ

33. وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَٰدَٰتِهِمْ قَآئِمُونَ

34. وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

35. أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ مُّكْرَمُونَ

36. فَمَالِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قِبَلَكَ مُهْطِعِينَ

37. عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ عِزِينَ

38. أَيَطْمَعُ كُلُّ ٱمْرِئٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُدْخَلَ جَنَّةَ نَعِيمٍۢ

39. كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُم مِّمَّا يَعْلَمُونَ

40. فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ وَٱلْمَغَٰرِبِ إِنَّا لَقَٰدِرُونَ

41. عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

42. فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ

43. يَوْمَ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ سِرَاعًۭا كَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ نُصُبٍۢ يُوفِضُونَ

44. خَٰشِعَةً أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمُ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ

Context of Revelation

Surah Al-Maʿārij (The Ascending Stairways) is a Meccan surah consisting of 44 verses. It was revealed after Surah Al-Ḥāqqah, during a time when the Quraysh mocked the message of the Hereafter and sarcastically demanded the punishment promised by the Prophet ﷺ. Its name comes from verse 3, where God is described as the “Lord of the Ascending Paths” (dhī al-maʿārij), referring to the stages through which angels ascend to Him.

According to Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurtubī, one of the Meccan leaders, Al-Naḍr ibn al-Ḥārith, mockingly challenged the Prophet ﷺ, saying: “If what you say is true, bring down upon us the punishment of God!” The surah was revealed in response, affirming the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the inevitability of divine retribution.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Surah Al-Maʿārij addresses the reality of the Last Day, the moral condition of humanity, and the virtues of true believers. Its central lessons include:

  • The warning of an imminent punishment: none can prevent or hasten it. (vv. 1–7)
  • The description of the angels’ ascent and the Spirit’s journey to God, in a day equal to fifty thousand years. (v. 4)
  • The portrayal of human weakness: man is anxious in hardship and stingy in ease. (vv. 19–21)
  • The qualities of the righteous: steadfast in prayer, generous toward the poor, believing in the Day of Judgment, pure and faithful. (vv. 22–35)
  • The inevitability of the Final Judgment: the guilty will be separated from the righteous, and none will escape divine justice. (vv. 36–44)

The surah condemns arrogance and attachment to worldly gain, presenting patience, prayer, and charity as the spiritual ascent toward divine closeness.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Introduction (vv. 1–7): declaration of the coming punishment and its certainty.
  • The Ascending Paths (vv. 8–18): description of the Day of Judgment and the state of the disbelievers.
  • Human nature and faith (vv. 19–21): exposure of man’s impatience and selfishness.
  • The character of the believers (vv. 22–35): moral and spiritual traits of the faithful.
  • Conclusion (vv. 36–44): the final separation between believers and deniers on the Day of Judgment.

The tone of the surah is vivid, reflective, and moral: it contrasts human fragility with the spiritual strength of sincere believers.

Key Verse

The pivotal verse of the surah is verse 19:

إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا

Indeed, man was created anxious and impatient.

Why this verse is key:

  • It encapsulates the Qur’anic view of human nature: man is inherently restless and fragile, except when strengthened by faith and discipline.
  • It highlights the dual nature of humanity: torn between selfishness and belief, fear and patience.
  • This verse acts as a moral pivot, introducing the traits of true believers who overcome weakness through prayer and generosity.

In summary, Surah Al-Maʿārij depicts the spiritual ascent of humanity — from weakness and impatience to steadfast faith. It calls believers to patience, prayer, and charity as the means to moral elevation and ultimate salvation.

Surah Al-Maarij
Ways of Ascent
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المعارج
1.
Al-Fatiha The Opening
2.
Al-Baqara The Cow
3.
Al-Imran Family of Imran
4.
An-Nisa' Women
5.
Al-Maidah The Table
6.
Al-Anam Livestock
7.
Al-Araf The Elevations
8.
Al-Anfal The Spoils
9.
At-Tawbah The Repentance
10.
Yunus Jonah
11.
Hud Hud
12.
Yusuf Joseph
13.
Ar-Raad Thunder
14.
Ibrahim Abraham
15.
Al-Hijr The Rock
16.
An-Nahl The Bee
17.
Al-Isra The Night Journey
18.
Al-Kahf The Cave
19.
Maryam Mary
20.
Ta-Ha Ta-Ha
21.
Al-Anbiya The Prophets
22.
Al-Hajj The Pilgrimage
23.
Al-Muminune The Believers
24.
An-Nur The Light
25.
Al Furqane The Criterion
26.
As-Shuaraa The Poets
27.
An-Naml The Ant
28.
Al-Qasas History
29.
Al-Ankabut The Spider
30.
Ar-Rum The Romans
31.
Luqman Luqman
32.
As-Sajda The Prostration
33.
Al-Ahzab The Confederates
34.
Saba Sheba
35.
Fatir Originator
36.
Yassine (Yas-Sin) Ya Seen
37.
As-Saffat The Aligners
38.
Sad Saad
39.
Az-Zumar Throngs
40.
Gafir The Forgiver
41.
Fussilat Detailed
42.
Ash Shura Consultation
43.
Azzukhruf Decorations
44.
Ad-Dukhan Smoke
45.
Al-Jathya Kneeling
46.
Al-Ahqaf The Dunes
47.
Muhammad Muhammad
48.
Al-Fath Victory
49.
Al-Hujurat The Chambers
50.
Qaf Qaf
51.
Ad-Dariyat The Spreaders
52.
At-Tur The Mount
53.
An-Najm The Star
54.
Al-Qamar The Moon
55.
Ar-Rahman The Compassionate
56.
Al-Waqi'a The Inevitable
57.
Al-Hadid Iron
58.
Al-Mujadalah The Argument
59.
Al-Hasr The Mobilization
60.
Al-Mumtahanah The Woman Tested
61.
As-Saff Column
62.
Al-Jumua Friday
63.
Al-Munafiqun The Hypocrites
64.
At-Tagabun Gathering
65.
At-Talaq Divorce
66.
At-Tahrim Prohibition
67.
Al-Mulk Sovereignty
68.
Al-Qalam The Pen
69.
Al-Haqqah The Reality
70.
Al-Maarij Ways of Ascent
71.
Nuh Noah
72.
Al-Jinn The Jinn
73.
Al-Muzzamil The Enwrapped
74.
Al-Muddattir The Enrobed
75.
Al-Qiyamah Resurrection
76.
Al-Insan Man
77.
Al-Mursalate The Unleashed
78.
An-Naba The Event
79.
An-Naziate The Snatchers
80.
Abasa He Frowned
81.
At-Takwir The Rolling
82.
Al-Infitar The Shattering
83.
Al-Mutaffifin The Defrauders
84.
Al-Insiqaq The Rupture
85.
Al-Buruj The Constellations
86.
At-Tariq The Nightly Visitor
87.
Al-Ala The Most High
88.
Al-Gasiyah The Overwhelming
89.
Al-Fajr The Dawn
90.
Al-Balad The Land
91.
Ach-Chams The Sun
92.
Al-Layl The Night
93.
Ad-Duha Morning Light
94.
Ash-Sarh The Soothing
95.
At-Tin The Fig
96.
Al-Alaq Clot
97.
Al-Qadr Decree
98.
Al-Bayyinah Clear Evidence
99.
Az-Zalzalah The Quake
100.
Al-Adiyate The Racers
101.
Al-Qariah The Shocker
102.
At-Takatur Abundance
103.
Al-Asr Time
104.
Al-Humazah The Backbiter
105.
Al-Fil The Elephant
106.
Coraïsh Quraish
107.
Almaun Assistance
108.
Al-Kawtar The Plenty
109.
Al-Kafirune The Disbelievers
110.
An-Nasr Victory
111.
Al-Masad Thorns
112.
Al-Ikhlas Monotheism
113.
Al-Falaq Daybreak
114.
An-Nas Mankind
Surah Al-Maarij

Ways of Ascent

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