Surah Saba Overview — Sheba (Chapter 34)

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Surah · 34 of 114
سبأ Saba Sheba
Meccan◉ Juz 2254 verses12 Concepts
Juz Span
About This Surah

Surah Saba (سبأ) is the 34th chapter of the Qur'an, with 54 verses revealed in Mecca. Its main themes are theology, spirituality, and eschatology. It prominently features Dawud and the Quran.

Topical Breakdown

Verses 1–2017
  • 1Praise of God in this world and Hereafter
  • 2Encompassing divine knowledge of all creation
  • 3God's knowledge of the weight of an atom
  • 4, 5, 38Reward for believers and retribution for obstinate deniers
  • 6Recognition of divine truth by the knowledgeable
  • 7, 8Disbelievers mocking bodily resurrection
  • 9Cosmic signs and threats of spatial destruction
  • 10Glorification of mountains and birds with David
  • 11Softening of iron and making coats of mail
  • 12, 13Subjugation of the jinn for architectural works
  • 12Subjugation of wind and molten copper for Solomon
  • 13Call to gratitude and rarity of grateful servants
  • 14Death of Solomon and jinn's ignorance of the unseen
  • 15Prosperity of the twin gardens of Saba
  • 16, 17The devastating flood of the dam (Sayl al-Arim)
  • 18, 19Destruction of safe trade networks due to ingratitude
  • 20, 21Satan's deception and lack of authority over believers

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Verses 21–4014
  • 22, 27, 42Total powerlessness of false deities
  • 23Intercession granted only with divine permission
  • 24Sole providential authority of God
  • 25Individual responsibility and rational discourse
  • 26Divine judgment by the Supreme Opener (Al-Fattah)
  • 28Universal mission to all humanity
  • 29, 30Fixed appointment of the Hour
  • 31, 32Dispute between arrogant leaders and oppressed followers
  • 33Deceptive plots of leadership exposed
  • 34, 35Arrogance of affluent elites against prophets
  • 36, 39Sovereign expansion and restriction of provision
  • 37Faith and righteous deeds as true measures of nobility
  • 39Divine compensation for charitable spending
  • 40, 41Interrogation of angels regarding polytheistic worship

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Verses 41–5410
  • 41Polytheists worshipping jinn and devils
  • 43, 44Baseless rejection of the Quran and ancestral blind following
  • 45Warning through the destruction of past civilizations
  • 46Call to sincere objective contemplation
  • 47Selflessness and lack of material demand in preaching
  • 48, 49Triumph and finality of divine truth over falsehood
  • 50Divine guidance
  • 51Panic and helplessness upon seeing the torment
  • 52, 53Impossibility of attaining faith after death
  • 54Irreversible barrier between the damned and their desires

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◉ Juz 22Makkan54 Verses
Prophethood — 50%Theology — 33%Worship — 17%
Verse Tone Progression
Praise (verses 1–1)Command (verses 2–3)Consolation (verses 4–4)Warning (verses 5–5)Command (verses 6–6)Warning (verses 7–8)Consolation (verses 9–9)Praise (verses 10–10)Promise (verses 11–11)Warning (verses 12–12)Praise (verses 13–13)Warning (verses 14–14)Praise (verses 15–15)Promise (verses 16–17)Command (verses 18–18)Consolation (verses 19–19)Promise (verses 20–20)Command (verses 21–23)Promise (verses 24–24)Command (verses 25–26)Warning (verses 27–27)Promise (verses 28–28)Command (verses 29–30)Warning (verses 31–32)Command (verses 33–33)Warning (verses 34–35)Promise (verses 36–36)Warning (verses 37–38)Promise (verses 39–39)Warning (verses 40–40)Praise (verses 41–41)Command (verses 42–42)Warning (verses 43–43)Command (verses 44–44)Narrative (verses 45–45)Warning (verses 46–46)Command (verses 47–48)Warning (verses 49–51)Consolation (verses 52–52)Warning (verses 53–54)07142128354249
Command
Narrative
Promise
Warning
Consolation
Praise
Top Concept Co-Occurrences
knowledgeAllah350
faithAllah306
the earththe heavens221
disbeliefAllah200
Allahmessenger188
the earthAllah186
punishment of hellfireAllah127
deeds for the afterlifeAllah126
the heavensAllah126
disbelieffaith108
Semantic Opposites Present
disbelief
↔ opposes
faith
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surah Saba?
Surah Saba (سبأ) is the 34th chapter of the Qur'an, comprising 54 verses revealed in Mecca.
What are the main themes of Surah Saba?
The main themes of Surah Saba are theology, prophethood, and spirituality.
Which key figures are mentioned in Surah Saba?
Surah Saba prominently features the Quran and Dawud.
Is Surah Saba Meccan or Medinan?
Surah Saba is Meccan; it was revealed in Mecca and contains 54 verses.
Read Saba — All 54 Verses
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