Surah 72

الجن

Al-Jinn

The Jinn

Meccan28 ayahs
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Surah Context

Which was revealed in Makkah.

Classical references: Ibn Kathir (Abridged).

Source: Ibn Kathir (Abridged) (72:1).

Last reviewed: 2026-04-10.

This is a short orientation note and does not replace full tafsir.

72:1
١

Say [Prophet], ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn once listened in and said, “We have heard a wondrous Quran,

72:2
٢

that gives guidance to the right path, and we have come to believe it––We shall never set up partners with our Lord––

72:3
٣

and that He––exalted be the glory of our Lord!––has neither spouse nor child.

72:4
٤

Outrageous things have been said about God by the foolish among us,

72:5
٥

although we had thought that no man or jinn would [dare to] tell a lie about Him.

72:6
٦

Men have sought refuge with the jinn in the past, but they only misguided them further.

72:7
٧

They thought, as you did, that God would never raise anyone from the dead.

72:8
٨

We tried to reach heaven, but discovered it to be full of stern guards and shooting stars––

72:9
٩

we used to sit in places there, listening, but anyone trying to listen now will find a shooting star lying in wait for him––

72:10
١٠

[so now] we do not know whether those who live on earth are due for misfortune, or whether their Lord intends to guide them.

72:11
١١

Some of us are righteous and others less so: we follow different paths.

72:12
١٢

We know we can never frustrate God on earth; we can never escape Him.

72:13
١٣

When we heard the guidance we came to believe: whoever believes in his Lord need fear no loss nor injustice.

72:14
١٤

Some of us submit to Him and others go the wrong way: those who submit to God have found wise guidance,

72:15
١٥

but those who go wrong will be fuel for Hellfire.” ’

72:16
١٦

If they had taken to the right way, We would have given them abundant water to drink-

72:17
١٧

a test for them––but anyone who turns away from his Lord’s Revelation will be sent by Him to spiralling torment.

72:18
١٨

Places of worship are for God alone- so do not pray to anyone other than God-

72:19
١٩

yet when God’s Servant stood up to pray to Him, they pressed in on him.

72:20
٢٠

Say, ‘I pray to my Lord alone; I set up no partner with Him.’

72:21
٢١

Say, ‘I have no control over any harm or good that may befall you.’

72:22
٢٢

Say, ‘No one can protect me from God: I have no refuge except in Him.

72:23
٢٣

I only deliver [what I receive] from God- only His messages.’ Whoever disobeys God and His Messenger will have Hell’s Fire as his permanent home:

72:24
٢٤

when they are confronted by what they have been warned about, they will realize who has the weaker protector and the smaller number.

72:25
٢٥

Say, ‘I do not know whether what you have been warned about is near, or whether a distant time has been appointed for it by my Lord.’

72:26
٢٦

He is the One who knows what is hidden.

72:27
٢٧

He does not disclose it except to a messenger of His choosing. He sends watchers to go in front and behind

72:28
٢٨

to ensure that each of His messengers delivers his Lord’s message: He knows all about them, and He takes account of everything.