Surah 91
الشمس
Ash-Shams
The Sun
Surah Context
Which was revealed in Makkah Recitation of Surah Ash-Shams wa Duhaha in the `Isha' Prayer The Hadith of Jabir which was recorded in the Two Sahihs has already been mentioned.
Classical references: Ibn Kathir (Abridged).
Source: Ibn Kathir (Abridged) (91:1).
Last reviewed: 2026-04-10.
This is a short orientation note and does not replace full tafsir.
By the sun in its morning brightness
and by the moon as it follows it,
by the day as it displays the sun’s glory
and by the night as it conceals it,
by the sky and how He built it
and by the earth and how He spread it,
by the soul and how He formed it
and inspired it [to know] its own rebellion and piety!
The one who purifies his soul succeeds
and the one who corrupts it fails.
In their arrogant cruelty, the people of Thamud called [their messenger] a liar,
when the most wicked man among them rose [against him].
The messenger of God said to them, ‘[Leave] God’s camel to drink,’
but they called him a liar and hamstrung her. Their Lord destroyed them for their crime and levelled them.
He did not hesitate to punish them.