Surah Al-Ma’arij Overview — The Ascending Stairways (Chapter 70)

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Surah · 70 of 114
المعارج Al-Ma'arij The Ascending Stairways
Meccan◉ Juz 2944 verses12 Concepts
Juz Span
About This Surah

With 44 verses, Surah Al-Ma'arij (المعارج) is the seventieth chapter of the Qur'an and was revealed in Mecca. It chiefly deals with theology, eschatology, and cosmology.

Topical Breakdown

Verses 1–2011
  • 1, 2, 3Inescapable Ascending Ways
  • 4Angels and Spirit Ascending
  • 4, 6, 7Day fifty thousand years long
  • 5Beautiful patience
  • 8Sky like molten brass
  • 9Mountains like wool
  • 10Friend not asking friend
  • 11, 12, 13, 14Ransoming family and wealth
  • 15, 16Fire tearing the scalp
  • 17, 18Hoarding and amassing
  • 19, 20, 21Human Anxious Nature

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Verses 21–4010
  • 22, 23, 34Constancy in Prayer
  • 24, 25Right in wealth for beggar
  • 26Belief in Day of Recompense
  • 27, 28Fear of God's punishment
  • 29, 30, 31Guarding chastity
  • 32Keeping trusts and covenants
  • 33Standing firm in testimony
  • 35, 38Gardens for the righteous
  • 36, 37Disbelievers racing to ridicule
  • 39, 40, 41Re-creation capability

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Verses 41–443
  • 42Respite for the wicked
  • 43Emerging from graves
  • 44Humiliation on the Promised Day

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◉ Juz 29Makkan44 Verses
Ethics — 60%Eschatology — 20%Cosmology — 20%
Verse Tone Progression
Warning (verses 1–2)Narrative (verses 3–3)Praise (verses 4–4)Consolation (verses 5–5)Promise (verses 6–6)Praise (verses 7–7)Promise (verses 8–8)Consolation (verses 9–9)Neutral (verses 10–10)Command (verses 11–12)Narrative (verses 13–13)Consolation (verses 14–14)Warning (verses 15–16)Consolation (verses 17–17)Promise (verses 18–18)Narrative (verses 19–19)Command (verses 20–20)Consolation (verses 21–21)Command (verses 22–27)CommandWarning (verses 28–28)Command (verses 29–29)Promise (verses 30–30)Warning (verses 31–31)Command (verses 32–34)CommandPraise (verses 35–35)Command (verses 36–36)Consolation (verses 37–37)Praise (verses 38–38)Command (verses 39–39)Promise (verses 40–40)Consolation (verses 41–41)Praise (verses 42–42)Narrative (verses 43–43)Promise (verses 44–44)06121824303642
Command
Narrative
Promise
Warning
Consolation
Praise
Neutral
Top Concept Co-Occurrences
disbeliefAllah200
creationdivine creation195
punishment of hellfireAllah127
the caveAllah83
divine creationAllah75
creationAllah69
punishment of hellfiredisbelief68
divine decreeAllah61
divine promiseAllah46
disbeliefthe cave20
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surah Al-Ma'arij?
Surah Al-Ma'arij (المعارج) is the 70th chapter of the Qur'an. It has 44 verses and was revealed in Mecca.
What are the main themes of Surah Al-Ma'arij?
The main themes of Surah Al-Ma'arij are theology, eschatology, and cosmology.
Is Surah Al-Ma'arij Meccan or Medinan?
Surah Al-Ma'arij is Meccan. It was revealed in Mecca and has 44 verses.
Read Al-Ma'arij — All 44 Verses
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