Sūrah As-Saaffaat: how it was revealed

Where revealed Meccan

Revealed in the Meccan period, before the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #56

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 182 ayahs

5 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Makkan surah is founded on proving Monotheism, the Resurrection, and the truth of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mission. It achieves this by contrasting the believers’ felicity with the disbelievers’ disputes in the Hereafter. It establishes the prophetic lineage through Abraham, focusing particularly on the honor of the son who was to be sacrificed, and guarantees that victory is the eternal promise to all messengers.

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is founded on proving Monotheism, the Resurrection, and the truth of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mission. It achieves this by contrasting the believers’ felicity with the disbelievers’ disputes in the Hereafter. It establishes the prophetic lineage through Abraham, focusing particularly on the honor of the son who was to be sacrificed, and guarantees that victory is the eternal promise to all messengers.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by unanimous agreement.

Context: The surah was revealed to refute the core polytheistic beliefs of the Makkans, particularly their claim that angels were the daughters of Allah, and their denial of the Resurrection.

Chronology: It is counted as the 56th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Anʿām and before Luqmān.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Ṣāffāt" (Those in Ranks). It is named for the unique mention of this word in its opening oath [1], in reference to the angels. It is also sometimes called "Sūrat al-Dhabīḥ" (The Sacrificed Son), referring to Ismāʿīl (Ishmael), who submitted to his father’s divine dream before they were rescued from the test.

Ayah Count: 182 ayahs (Majority) or 181 (Baṣran).

Surah Overview:

Monotheism: Establishing Allah's Oneness, proving His sole right to creation and sovereignty, and declaring Allah free from having partners or children (especially the claim that angels are His daughters). [1-11, 150-159]
The Hereafter: Proving the Resurrection and Judgment. [12-21]
The Judgment Scene: Describing the terrible fate and mutual blame of the polytheists, and the delightful state of the believers in Paradise. [22-61]
Prophetic Narratives: Consoling the Prophet (ﷺ) by recounting the struggles and ultimate victory of previous messengers:

Noah [75-82]
Abraham [83-113], including the would-be sacrifice of Ishmael [100-111]
Moses and Aaron [114-122]
Elias, Lot, and Jonah. [123-148]

Final Promise: Guaranteeing the Prophet (ﷺ) victory, in line with the eternal practice of Allah toward His messengers. [171-173]
Concluding the surah with praise and glory to Allah, the Lord of Might. [180-182]

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 5 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

Relates to āyah8

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4692

حَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ هَيْتَ لَكَ قَالَ وَإِنَّمَا نَقْرَؤُهَا كَمَا عُلِّمْنَاهَا ‏{‏مَثْوَاهُ‏}‏ مُقَامُهُ ‏{‏أَلْفَيَا‏}‏ وَجَدَا ‏﴿‏أَلْفَوْا آبَاءَهُمْ‏﴾‏ ‏{‏أَلْفَيْنَا‏}‏ وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ‏﴿‏بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ‏﴾‏

Narrated Abu Wail: `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited "Haita laka (Come you)," and added, "We recite it as we were taught it."

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Relates to āyah69

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4692

حَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ هَيْتَ لَكَ قَالَ وَإِنَّمَا نَقْرَؤُهَا كَمَا عُلِّمْنَاهَا ‏{‏مَثْوَاهُ‏}‏ مُقَامُهُ ‏{‏أَلْفَيَا‏}‏ وَجَدَا ‏﴿‏أَلْفَوْا آبَاءَهُمْ‏﴾‏ ‏{‏أَلْفَيْنَا‏}‏ وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ‏﴿‏بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ‏﴾‏

Narrated Abu Wail: `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited "Haita laka (Come you)," and added, "We recite it as we were taught it."

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Relates to āyah89

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3358

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَحْبُوبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمْ يَكْذِبْ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثَ كَذَبَاتٍ ثِنْتَيْنِ مِنْهُنَّ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، قَوْلُهُ ‏﴿‏إِنِّي سَقِيمٌ ‏﴾‏ وَقَوْلُهُ ‏﴿‏بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَذَا‏﴾‏، وَقَالَ بَيْنَا هُوَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَسَارَةُ إِذْ أَتَى عَلَى جَبَّارٍ مِنَ الْجَبَابِرَةِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ هَا هُنَا رَجُلاً مَعَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ النَّاسِ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ، فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْهَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ مَنْ هَذِهِ قَالَ أُخْتِي، فَأَتَى سَارَةَ قَالَ يَا سَارَةُ، لَيْسَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ مُؤْمِنٌ غَيْرِي وَغَيْرُكِ، وَإِنَّ هَذَا سَأَلَنِي، فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنَّكِ أُخْتِي فَلاَ تُكَذِّبِينِي‏.‏ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهَا، فَلَمَّا دَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ ذَهَبَ يَتَنَاوَلُهَا بِيَدِهِ، فَأُخِذَ فَقَالَ ادْعِي اللَّهَ لِي وَلاَ أَضُرُّكِ‏.‏ فَدَعَتِ اللَّهَ فَأُطْلِقَ، ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَهَا الثَّانِيَةَ، فَأُخِذَ مِثْلَهَا أَوْ أَشَدَّ فَقَالَ ادْعِي اللَّهَ لِي وَلاَ أَضُرُّكِ‏.‏ فَدَعَتْ فَأُطْلِقَ‏.‏ فَدَعَا بَعْضَ حَجَبَتِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُمْ لَمْ تَأْتُونِي بِإِنْسَانٍ، إِنَّمَا أَتَيْتُمُونِي بِشَيْطَانٍ‏.‏ فَأَخْدَمَهَا هَاجَرَ فَأَتَتْهُ، وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي، فَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ مَهْيَا قَالَتْ رَدَّ اللَّهُ كَيْدَ الْكَافِرِ ـ أَوِ الْفَاجِرِ ـ فِي نَحْرِهِ، وَأَخْدَمَ هَاجَرَ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ تِلْكَ أُمُّكُمْ يَا بَنِي مَاءِ السَّمَاءِ‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: Abraham did not tell a lie except on three occasion. Twice for the Sake of Allah when he said, "I am sick," and he said, "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." The (third was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey) they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant, "This man (i.e. Abraham) is accompanied by a very charming lady." So, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying, "Who is this lady?" Abraham said, "She is my sister." Abraham went to Sarah and said, "O Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and I. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister, so don't contradict my statement." The tyrant then called Sarah and when she went to him, he tried to take hold of her with his hand, but (his hand got stiff and) he was confounded. He asked Sarah. "Pray to Allah for me, and I shall not harm you." So Sarah asked Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but (his hand got as stiff as or stiffer than before and) was more confounded. He again requested Sarah, "Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah again and he became alright. He then called one of his guards (who had brought her) and said, "You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a girl-servant to Sarah. Sarah came back (to Abraham) while he was praying. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked, "What has happened?" She replied, "Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel (or immoral person) and gave me Hajar for service." (Abu Huraira then addressed his listeners saying, "That (Hajar) was your mother, O Bani Ma-is-Sama (i.e. the Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son).

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Relates to āyah102

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 138

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي كُرَيْبٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَامَ حَتَّى نَفَخَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى ـ وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ اضْطَجَعَ حَتَّى نَفَخَ ـ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى‏.‏ ثُمَّ حَدَّثَنَا بِهِ سُفْيَانُ مَرَّةً بَعْدَ مَرَّةٍ عَنْ عَمْرٍو عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ بِتُّ عِنْدَ خَالَتِي مَيْمُونَةَ لَيْلَةً، فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ اللَّيْلِ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي بَعْضِ اللَّيْلِ قَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْ شَنٍّ مُعَلَّقٍ وُضُوءًا خَفِيفًا ـ يُخَفِّفُهُ عَمْرٌو وَيُقَلِّلُهُ ـ وَقَامَ يُصَلِّي فَتَوَضَّأْتُ نَحْوًا مِمَّا تَوَضَّأَ، ثُمَّ جِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ ـ وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ سُفْيَانُ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ ـ فَحَوَّلَنِي فَجَعَلَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ، فَنَامَ حَتَّى نَفَخَ، ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ الْمُنَادِي فَآذَنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ، فَقَامَ مَعَهُ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ، فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَتَوَضَّأْ‏.‏ قُلْنَا لِعَمْرٍو إِنَّ نَاسًا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَنَامُ عَيْنُهُ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبُهُ‏.‏ قَالَ عَمْرٌو سَمِعْتُ عُبَيْدَ بْنَ عُمَيْرٍ يَقُولُ رُؤْيَا الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَحْىٌ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ‏﴾‏‏.‏

Narrated Kuraib: Ibn `Abbas said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) slept till he snored and then prayed (or probably lay till his breath sounds were heard and then got up and prayed)." Ibn `Abbas added: "I stayed overnight in the house of my aunt, Maimuna, the Prophet (ﷺ) slept for a part of the night, (See Fath-al-Bari page 249, Vol. 1), and late in the night, he got up and performed ablution from a hanging water skin, a light (perfect) ablution and stood up for the prayer. I, too, performed a similar ablution, then I went and stood on his left. He drew me to his right and prayed as much as Allah wished, and again lay and slept till his breath sounds were heard. Later on the Mu'adh-dhin (call maker for the prayer) came to him and informed him that it was time for Prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) went with him for the prayer without performing a new ablution." (Sufyan said to `Amr that some people said, "The eyes of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sleep but his heart does not sleep." `Amr replied, "I heard `Ubaid bin `Umar saying that the dreams of Prophets were Divine Inspiration, and then he recited the verse: 'I (Abraham) see in a dream, (O my son) that I offer you in sacrifice (to Allah)." (37.102) (See Hadith No. 183)

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Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 859

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي كُرَيْبٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ بِتُّ عِنْدَ خَالَتِي مَيْمُونَةَ لَيْلَةً، فَنَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي بَعْضِ اللَّيْلِ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْ شَنٍّ مُعَلَّقٍ وُضُوءًا خَفِيفًا ـ يُخَفِّفُهُ عَمْرٌو وَيُقَلِّلُهُ جِدًّا ـ ثُمَّ قَامَ يُصَلِّي، فَقُمْتُ فَتَوَضَّأْتُ نَحْوًا مِمَّا تَوَضَّأَ، ثُمَّ جِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ، فَحَوَّلَنِي فَجَعَلَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ فَنَامَ حَتَّى نَفَخَ، فَأَتَاهُ الْمُنَادِي يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَامَ مَعَهُ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ، فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَتَوَضَّأْ‏.‏ قُلْنَا لِعَمْرٍو إِنَّ نَاسًا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَنَامُ عَيْنُهُ وَلاَ يَنَامُ قَلْبُهُ‏.‏ قَالَ عَمْرٌو سَمِعْتُ عُبَيْدَ بْنَ عُمَيْرٍ يَقُولُ إِنَّ رُؤْيَا الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَحْىٌ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ‏﴾‏‏.‏

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: One night I slept at the house of my aunt Maimuna and the Prophet (ﷺ) slept (too). He got up (for prayer) in the last hours of the night and performed a light ablution from a hanging leather skin. (`Amr, the sub-narrator described that the ablution was very light). Then he stood up for prayer and I got up too and performed the ablution in the same way and joined him on his left side. He pulled me to the right and prayed as much as Allah will. Then he lay down and slept and I heard his breath sounds till the Mu'adh-dhin came to him to inform him about the (Fajr) prayer. He left with him for the prayer and prayed without repeating the ablution. (Sufyan the sub-narrator said: We said to `Amr, "Some people say, 'The eyes of the Prophet (ﷺ) sleep but his heart never sleeps.' " `Amr said, "'Ubai bin `Umar said, 'The dreams of the Prophets are Divine Inspirations. Then he recited, '(O my son), I have seen in dream that I was slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice).") (37.102)

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How Sūrah As-Saaffaat was revealed.

How and when it came down.

What the hadith say.