SURAH 23 — Al-Mu’minūn — المؤمنون — “The Believers”

• Revelation Order: 74
• Event Anchor: Late Meccan reflection on true belief and moral character (c. 619–622 CE)

Explanation:
Al-Mu’minūn opens with a portrait of ideal believers—humble, disciplined, truthful, and pure—contrasting them with Meccan disbelievers who dismissed resurrection and mocked revelation. The surah recounts stories of past prophets and highlights God’s signs in creation and human development, responding to Meccan skepticism. Its mature spiritual tone aligns with the final Meccan years, when the Prophet emphasized both moral transformation and eschatological accountability. The surah prepares believers for the coming transition to Medina by reinforcing identity, patience, and sincerity.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
Certainly will the believers have succeeded:	1	Meccan	2674
They who are during their prayer humbly submissive	2	Meccan	2675
And they who turn away from ill speech	3	Meccan	2676
And they who are observant of zakah	4	Meccan	2677
And they who guard their private parts	5	Meccan	2678
Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed –	6	Meccan	2679
But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors –	7	Meccan	2680
And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive	8	Meccan	2681
And they who carefully maintain their prayers –	9	Meccan	2682
Those are the inheritors	10	Meccan	2683
Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.	11	Meccan	2684
And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.	12	Meccan	2685
Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging.	13	Meccan	2686
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.	14	Meccan	2687
Then indeed, after that you are to die.	15	Meccan	2688
Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected.	16	Meccan	2689
And We have created above you seven layered heavens, and never have We been of [Our] creation unaware.	17	Meccan	2690
And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away.	18	Meccan	2691
And We brought forth for you thereby gardens of palm trees and grapevines in which for you are abundant fruits and from which you eat.	19	Meccan	2692
And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat.	20	Meccan	2693
And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat.	21	Meccan	2694
And upon them and on ships you are carried.	22	Meccan	2695
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?”	23	Meccan	2696
But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, “This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers.	24	Meccan	2697
He is not but a man possessed with madness, so wait concerning him for a time.”	25	Meccan	2698
[Noah] said, “My Lord, support me because they have denied me.”	26	Meccan	2699
So We inspired to him, “Construct the ship under Our observation, and Our inspiration, and when Our command comes and the oven overflows, put into the ship from each [creature] two mates and your family, except those for whom the decree [of destruction] has proceeded. And do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned.	27	Meccan	2700
And when you have boarded the ship, you and those with you, then say, ‘Praise to Allah who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.’	28	Meccan	2701
And say, ‘My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to accommodate [us].’ “	29	Meccan	2702
Indeed in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing [Our servants].	30	Meccan	2703
Then We produced after them a generation of others.	31	Meccan	2704
And We sent among them a messenger from themselves, [saying], “Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?”	32	Meccan	2705
And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said, “This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink.	33	Meccan	2706
And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be losers.	34	Meccan	2707
Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth [once more]?	35	Meccan	2708
How far, how far, is that which you are promised.	36	Meccan	2709
Life is not but our worldly life – we die and live, but we will not be resurrected.	37	Meccan	2710
He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allah, and we will not believe him.”	38	Meccan	2711
He said, “My Lord, support me because they have denied me.”	39	Meccan	2712
[Allah] said, “After a little, they will surely become regretful.”	40	Meccan	2713
So the shriek seized them in truth, and We made them as [plant] stubble. Then away with the wrongdoing people.	41	Meccan	2714
Then We produced after them other generations.	42	Meccan	2715
No nation will precede its time [of termination], nor will they remain [thereafter].	43	Meccan	2716
Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe.	44	Meccan	2717
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and a clear authority	45	Meccan	2718
To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were arrogant and were a haughty people.	46	Meccan	2719
They said, “Should we believe two men like ourselves while their people are for us in servitude?”	47	Meccan	2720
So they denied them and were of those destroyed.	48	Meccan	2721
And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture that perhaps they would be guided.	49	Meccan	2722
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign and sheltered them within a high ground having level [areas] and flowing water.	50	Meccan	2723
[Allah said], “O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing.	51	Meccan	2724
And indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.”	52	Meccan	2725
But the people divided their religion among them into sects – each faction, in what it has, rejoicing.	53	Meccan	2726
So leave them in their confusion for a time.	54	Meccan	2727
Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children	55	Meccan	2728
Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive.	56	Meccan	2729
Indeed, they who are apprehensive from fear of their Lord	57	Meccan	2730
And they who believe in the signs of their Lord	58	Meccan	2731
And they who do not associate anything with their Lord	59	Meccan	2732
And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord –	60	Meccan	2733
It is those who hasten to good deeds, and they outstrip [others] therein.	61	Meccan	2734
And We charge no soul except [with that within] its capacity, and with Us is a record which speaks with truth; and they will not be wronged.	62	Meccan	2735
But their hearts are covered with confusion over this, and they have [evil] deeds besides disbelief which they are doing,	63	Meccan	2736
Until when We seize their affluent ones with punishment, at once they are crying [to Allah] for help.	64	Meccan	2737
Do not cry out today. Indeed, by Us you will not be helped.	65	Meccan	2738
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels	66	Meccan	2739
In arrogance regarding it, conversing by night, speaking evil.	67	Meccan	2740
Then have they not reflected over the Qur’an, or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers?	68	Meccan	2741
Or did they not know their Messenger, so they are toward him disacknowledging?	69	Meccan	2742
Or do they say, “In him is madness?” Rather, he brought them the truth, but most of them, to the truth, are averse.	70	Meccan	2743
But if the Truth had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. Rather, We have brought them their message, but they, from their message, are turning away.	71	Meccan	2744
Or do you, [O Muhammad], ask them for payment? But the reward of your Lord is best, and He is the best of providers.	72	Meccan	2745
And indeed, you invite them to a straight path.	73	Meccan	2746
But indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are deviating from the path.	74	Meccan	2747
And even if We gave them mercy and removed what was upon them of affliction, they would persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.	75	Meccan	2748
And We had gripped them with suffering [as a warning], but they did not yield to their Lord, nor did they humbly supplicate, [and will continue thus]	76	Meccan	2749
Until when We have opened before them a door of severe punishment, immediately they will be therein in despair.	77	Meccan	2750
And it is He who produced for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful.	78	Meccan	2751
And it is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.	79	Meccan	2752
And it is He who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason?	80	Meccan	2753
Rather, they say like what the former peoples said.	81	Meccan	2754
They said, “When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?	82	Meccan	2755
We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before; this is not but legends of the former peoples.”	83	Meccan	2756
Say, [O Muhammad], “To whom belongs the earth and whoever is in it, if you should know?”	84	Meccan	2757
They will say, “To Allah.” Say, “Then will you not remember?”	85	Meccan	2758
Say, “Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne?”	86	Meccan	2759
They will say, “[They belong] to Allah.” Say, “Then will you not fear Him?”	87	Meccan	2760
Say, “In whose hand is the realm of all things – and He protects while none can protect against Him – if you should know?”	88	Meccan	2761
They will say, “[All belongs] to Allah.” Say, “Then how are you deluded?”	89	Meccan	2762
Rather, We have brought them the truth, and indeed they are liars.	90	Meccan	2763
Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they describe [concerning Him].	91	Meccan	2764
[He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, so high is He above what they associate [with Him].	92	Meccan	2765
Say, [O Muhammad], “My Lord, if You should show me that which they are promised,	93	Meccan	2766
My Lord, then do not place me among the wrongdoing people.”	94	Meccan	2767
And indeed, We are able to show you what We have promised them.	95	Meccan	2768
Repel, by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We are most knowing of what they describe.	96	Meccan	2769
And say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils,	97	Meccan	2770
And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.”	98	Meccan	2771
[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back	99	Meccan	2772
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.” No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.	100	Meccan	2773
So when the Horn is blown, no relationship will there be among them that Day, nor will they ask about one another.	101	Meccan	2774
And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] – it is they who are the successful.	102	Meccan	2775
But those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.	103	Meccan	2776
The Fire will sear their faces, and they therein will have taut smiles.	104	Meccan	2777
[It will be said]. “Were not My verses recited to you and you used to deny them?”	105	Meccan	2778
They will say, “Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray.	106	Meccan	2779
Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return [to evil], we would indeed be wrongdoers.”	107	Meccan	2780
He will say, “Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.	108	Meccan	2781
Indeed, there was a party of My servants who said, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.’	109	Meccan	2782
But you took them in mockery to the point that they made you forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them.	110	Meccan	2783
Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance – that they are the attainers [of success].”	111	Meccan	2784
[Allah] will say, “How long did you remain on earth in number of years?”	112	Meccan	2785
They will say, “We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate.”	113	Meccan	2786
He will say, “You stayed not but a little – if only you had known.	114	Meccan	2787
Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?”	115	Meccan	2788
So exalted is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.	116	Meccan	2789
And whoever invokes besides Allah another deity for which he has no proof – then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.	117	Meccan	2790
And, [O Muhammad], say, “My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful.”	118	Meccan	2791