About This Surah
Surah Ash-Shu'ara (الشعراء) is the 26th chapter of the Qur'an, with 227 verses revealed in Mecca. Its main themes are theology, prophethood, and spirituality. It prominently features Musa and children of Israel.
Topical Breakdown
Verses 1–2014
- 1, 2, 192Clarity and divine origin of the Quran
- 3Prophet's deep sorrow for his people's disbelief
- 4Ability to send compelling signs
- 5Constant turning away from reminders
- 6, 135, 201, 204Inevitable punishment for polytheism
- 7Botanical diversity and earth's production
- 8, 200Blind obstinacy in idolatry
- 9, 68, 104, 122, 140, 159…Divine might and mercy
- 10, 11, 16Divine command to Moses to confront Pharaoh
- 12, 13, 14Moses' fears and request for Aaron's assistance
- 15Divine reassurance and accompaniment
- 17, 22Denunciation of enslavement of Israelites
- 18, 19Pharaoh's reminder of Moses' upbringing
- 20, 21Moses' defense and justification
Verses 21–407
- 23, 24, 26, 28Moses' definition of the Lord of the Universe
- 25, 34, 35Pharaoh's accusation of sorcery and conspiracy
- 27Mockery of the Prophet's mission
- 29Pharaoh's tyrannical threat of imprisonment
- 30, 31, 32, 33Miracles of the staff and luminous hand
- 36, 37Summoning the magicians of Egypt
- 38, 39, 40Assembly of magicians on the festival day
Verses 41–608
- 41, 42Magicians' desire for status and reward
- 43, 44Confrontation between truth and magic
- 45Staff swallowing the illusions of magicians
- 46, 47, 48Prostration and faith of the magicians
- 49Pharaoh's wrath and threat of crucifixion
- 50, 51Steadfast faith and indifference to worldly torture
- 52Divine command for the Exodus
- 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58…Pharaoh's army mobilizing in pursuit
Verses 61–808
- 61Despair of the Israelites at the sea
- 62Moses' unwavering certainty in God's help
- 63, 64, 65Parting of the sea and miraculous escape
- 66Drowning of Pharaoh and His Army
- 67, 103, 121, 174, 190Lessons from destroyed ancient civilizations
- 69, 70, 71Abraham's debate with his idol-worshipping people
- 72, 73, 74, 75, 76Rational refutation of idol worship
- 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82Abraham's declaration of Allah's exclusive lordship and blessings
Verses 81–1007
- 83, 84, 85, 87Abraham's prayer for wisdom, righteous reputation, and Paradise
- 86Abraham's prayer for his father
- 88Futility of wealth and children on Judgment Day
- 89Salvation through a sound heart
- 90, 91Disclosure of Paradise and Hellfire on Judgment Day
- 92, 93Interrogation of false gods on Judgment Day
- 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99…Mutual recrimination of idolaters in Hell
Verses 101–1209
- 102, 203Longing for a second chance in the worldly life
- 105, 106, 107, 108, 110Noah's call and trustworthiness
- 109, 127, 145, 164, 180Sincerity and asking no worldly reward
- 111Nobles' disdain for poor believers
- 112, 113, 114Prophet's embrace of humble believers
- 115Prophet's role as bringer of glad tidings and warner
- 116Threat of stoning against Noah
- 117, 118Noah's plea for divine judgment
- 119, 120Deliverance of Noah in the Ark and destruction of deniers
Verses 121–1405
- 123, 124, 125, 126, 131Hud's call and message of Tawhid
- 128, 129Condemnation of vanity, arrogance, and monuments
- 130Tyranny and oppressive force of 'Aad
- 132, 133, 134Reminding 'Aad of divine bounties
- 136, 137, 138, 139Obstinate disbelief of 'Aad and their destruction
Verses 141–1609
- 141, 142, 143, 144, 150Salih's call to Thamud
- 146, 147, 148, 149Thamud's security in worldly gardens and carved homes
- 151, 152Prohibition of obeying corrupters
- 153, 185Slander against the Prophet
- 154, 186Disbelievers' objections to mortality of messengers
- 155, 156The miracle of the She-Camel and its water share
- 157Hamstringing the She-Camel and subsequent regret
- 158Annihilation of Thamud by punishment
- 160, 161, 162, 163Lot's call against immoral transgressions
Verses 161–1805
- 165, 166, 168Condemnation of homosexuality and unnatural desires
- 167Threat to expel Lot from the city
- 169, 170, 171Rescue of Lot's family except his wife
- 172, 173Rain of destruction upon the corrupt town
- 176, 177, 178, 179Shu'ayb's call to the Companions of the Thicket
Verses 181–20011
- 181, 182Obligation of honesty in weights and measures
- 183Prohibition of commercial fraud and corruption
- 184Precise creation and determination
- 187Deniers demanding sky to fall upon them
- 188, 220Divine omniscience of cosmic secrets
- 189Punishment of the Day of the Canopy
- 193, 194Descent of Quran through Gabriel upon Prophet's heart
- 195Clear Arabic language of revelation
- 196Prophecies of Quran in previous scriptures
- 197Testimony of Jewish scholars regarding revelation
- 198, 199Arrogance of disbelievers regardless of language
Verses 201–22010
- 202Sudden arrival of divine punishment
- 205, 206, 207Vanity of worldly enjoyment when punishment arrives
- 208, 209Divine justice in sending warners before destruction
- 210, 211, 212Inability of devils to transmit revelation
- 213Warning against polytheism
- 214Warning closest kin in da'wah
- 215Kindness and humility towards believers
- 216Disavowal of sinful actions
- 217Reliance on the Ever-Living God
- 218, 219Divine watchfulness over prayers and prostrations
Verses 221–2273
- 221, 222, 223Nature of devilish inspiration to liars and sinners
- 224, 225, 226Criticism of immoral and aimless poets
- 227Exception of righteous, God-fearing poets
Verse Tone Progression
Command
Narrative
Promise
Warning
Consolation
Praise
Neutral
Concept Frequency Cloud
Top Concept Co-Occurrences
Allah↔knowledge350
faith↔Allah306
rejection of truth↔lying200
messenger↔Allah188
Allah↔divine mercy125
divine mercy↔the most merciful116
faith↔messenger91
faith↔knowledge84
Allah↔the most merciful75
Allah↔rejection of truth61
Cross-Surah Verse Similarity
Al-Qasas · 28:1
Ṭā Sīn Mīm The discussion on similar letters has already passed in Sūrah Al-Baqarah.
∿ similarity: 1.00
Al-A'raf · 7:122
He is the Lord of Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them), alone worthy of worship for all people, and the false gods are not worthy…
∿ similarity: 1.00
Al-Qasas · 28:2
These are the verses of a clear Qur’ān.
∿ similarity: 1.00
Al-A'raf · 7:121
The magicians exclaimed: 'We believe in the Lord of all of creation.'
∿ similarity: 1.00
As-Saffat · 37:85
When he said to his father and his idolatrous nation, rebuking them, “What do you worship instead of Allah?”
∿ similarity: 0.99
An-Naml · 27:58
And I rained stones of baked clay on the people of Lot. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned such as the people of L…
∿ similarity: 0.99
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surah Ash-Shu'ara?
Surah Ash-Shu'ara (الشعراء) is the 26th chapter of the Qur'an, comprising 227 verses revealed in Mecca.
What are the main themes of Surah Ash-Shu'ara?
The main themes of Surah Ash-Shu'ara are theology, spirituality, and prophethood.
Which key figures are mentioned in Surah Ash-Shu'ara?
Surah Ash-Shu'ara prominently features Musa and children of Israel.
Is Surah Ash-Shu'ara Meccan or Medinan?
Surah Ash-Shu'ara is Meccan; it was revealed in Mecca and contains 227 verses.
Read Ash-Shu'ara — All 227 Verses
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