SURAH 38 — Ṣād — ص — “Ṣād”

• Revelation Order: 38
• Event Anchor: Mid-to-late Meccan resistance from tribal leaders (c. 615–620 CE)

Explanation:
Surah Ṣād responds to the mockery and political opposition of Meccan elites, particularly those offended by the Prophet’s claim to prophethood. It recounts the struggles of earlier prophets—David, Solomon, Job—to show that resistance to divine guidance is a recurring historical pattern. Its assertive tone and emphasis on prophetic legitimacy match a period when Quraysh’s leadership used ridicule and status-based arguments to dismiss Muhammad’s message. The surah’s narrative structure fits the phase when revelation countered elite resistance through stories of past messengers who prevailed despite scorn.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
Sad. By the Qur’an containing reminder…	1	Meccan	3971
But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.	2	Meccan	3972
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.	3	Meccan	3973
And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, “This is a magician and a liar.	4	Meccan	3974
Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing.”	5	Meccan	3975
And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], “Continue, and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.	6	Meccan	3976
We have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication.	7	Meccan	3977
Has the message been revealed to him out of [all of] us?” Rather, they are in doubt about My message. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.	8	Meccan	3978
Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?	9	Meccan	3979
Or is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.	10	Meccan	3980
[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].	11	Meccan	3981
The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] ‘Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,	12	Meccan	3982
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.	13	Meccan	3983
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.	14	Meccan	3984
And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.	15	Meccan	3985
And they say, “Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account”	16	Meccan	3986
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah].	17	Meccan	3987
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.	18	Meccan	3988
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].	19	Meccan	3989
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.	20	Meccan	3990
And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber –	21	Meccan	3991
When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, “Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.	22	Meccan	3992
Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, ‘Entrust her to me,’ and he overpowered me in speech.”	23	Meccan	3993
[David] said, “He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds – and few are they.” And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah].	24	Meccan	3994
So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.	25	Meccan	3995
[We said], “O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.” Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account.	26	Meccan	3996
And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.	27	Meccan	3997
Or should we treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allah like the wicked?	28	Meccan	3998
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.	29	Meccan	3999
And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].	30	Meccan	4000
[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.	31	Meccan	4001
And he said, “Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness].”	32	Meccan	4002
[He said], “Return them to me,” and set about striking [their] legs and necks.	33	Meccan	4003
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.	34	Meccan	4004
He said, “My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”	35	Meccan	4005
So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,	36	Meccan	4006
And [also] the devils [of jinn] – every builder and diver	37	Meccan	4007
And others bound together in shackles.	38	Meccan	4008
[We said], “This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account.”	39	Meccan	4009
And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.	40	Meccan	4010
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.”	41	Meccan	4011
[So he was told], “Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink.”	42	Meccan	4012
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.	43	Meccan	4013
[We said], “And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath.” Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].	44	Meccan	4014
And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – those of strength and [religious] vision.	45	Meccan	4015
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].	46	Meccan	4016
And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.	47	Meccan	4017
And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.	48	Meccan	4018
This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return	49	Meccan	4019
Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.	50	Meccan	4020
Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.	51	Meccan	4021
And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.	52	Meccan	4022
This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.	53	Meccan	4023
Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.	54	Meccan	4024
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return –	55	Meccan	4025
Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.	56	Meccan	4026
This – so let them taste it – is scalding water and [foul] purulence.	57	Meccan	4027
And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.	58	Meccan	4028
[Its inhabitants will say], “This is a company bursting in with you. No welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire.”	59	Meccan	4029
They will say, “Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement.”	60	Meccan	4030
They will say, “Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us – increase for him double punishment in the Fire.”	61	Meccan	4031
And they will say, “Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?	62	Meccan	4032
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?”	63	Meccan	4033
Indeed, that is truth – the quarreling of the people of the Fire.	64	Meccan	4034
Say, [O Muhammad], “I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.	65	Meccan	4035
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.”	66	Meccan	4036
Say, “It is great news	67	Meccan	4037
From which you turn away.	68	Meccan	4038
I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].	69	Meccan	4039
It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner.”	70	Meccan	4040
[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.	71	Meccan	4041
So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.”	72	Meccan	4042
So the angels prostrated – all of them entirely.	73	Meccan	4043
Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.	74	Meccan	4044
[Allah] said, “O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?”	75	Meccan	4045
He said, “I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.”	76	Meccan	4046
[Allah] said, “Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.	77	Meccan	4047
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense.”	78	Meccan	4048
He said, “My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected.”	79	Meccan	4049
[Allah] said, “So indeed, you are of those reprieved	80	Meccan	4050
Until the Day of the time well-known.”	81	Meccan	4051
[Iblees] said, “By your might, I will surely mislead them all	82	Meccan	4052
Except, among them, Your chosen servants.”	83	Meccan	4053
[Allah] said, “The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say –	84	Meccan	4054
[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together.”	85	Meccan	4055
Say, [O Muhammad], “I do not ask you for the Qur’an any payment, and I am not of the pretentious	86	Meccan	4056
It is but a reminder to the worlds.	87	Meccan	4057
And you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time.”	88	Meccan	4058