Surah 91
الشمس
Ash-Shams
The Sun
Surah
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 and its brightness
And [by] the moon when it follows it
And [by] the day when it displays it1
And [by] the night when it covers [i.e., conceals] it
And [by] the sky and He who constructed it
And [by] the earth and He who spread it
And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it1
And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,
He has succeeded who purifies it,
And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].
Thamūd denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression,
When the most wretched of them was sent forth.1
And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."
But they denied him and hamstrung1 her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].
And He does not fear the consequence thereof.1