Sūrah 54 · Meccan

How Sūrah Al-Qamar was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Read Al-Qamar → The revelation story
Where revealed Meccan

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

Order of revelation #37

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

Length 55 ayahs

3 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Makkan surah affirms the imminent approach of the Hour and the reality of the Resurrection. Its primary purpose is to shame the polytheists for denying the miraculous sign of the splitting of the moon and to warn them of their impending defeat and the comprehensive punishment that awaits them, mirroring the fate of past arrogant nations.

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah affirms the imminent approach of the Hour and the reality of the Resurrection. Its primary purpose is to shame the polytheists for denying the miraculous sign of the splitting of the moon and to warn them of their impending defeat and the comprehensive punishment that awaits them, mirroring the fate of past arrogant nations.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by consensus. The opening passage [1-8] was revealed around Year 8 of Prophethood).

Context: The surah was revealed after the Makkan polytheists challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) to produce a miracle, leading to the “splitting of the moon”. The surah documents their denial, despite witnessing the event.

Chronology: It is the 37th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Ṭāriq and before Ṣād.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah was known by the early Muslims as "Sūrat Iqtarabat al-Sāʿah" or "Iqtarabat" for short (The Hour Has Approached), based on the opening words, as well as "Sūrat al-Qamar" (The Moon).

Virtue: The Prophet (ﷺ) customarily recited this surah (along with Sūrat Qāf) in the Eid prayers.

Ayah Count: 55 ayahs by consensus.

Surah Overview:

  • Warning of the imminent approach of the Resurrection and the subsequent suffering. [1]
  • Recording the stubborn denial of the polytheists regarding the clear signs and commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to overlook their persistence. [2-3]
  • Reminding them of the terrible punishment that befell nations like Thamūd, ʿĀd, and the people of Nūḥ who rejected their messengers. [9-42]
  • Warning the Makkans that they will face a battle in which they will be defeated and turn their backs, a prophecy fulfilled at Badr. [45]
  • Warning them that their punishment in the Hereafter will be more severe than their punishment in this world. [43-47]
  • Affirming Allah’s comprehensive knowledge of all deeds and His just recompense. [49-50]
  • Concluding with a reminder of the certainty of the promise and a description of the reward of the pious. [54-55]

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 15 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.

  1. Relates to āyah15
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3341

    حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ نَصْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏ مِثْلَ قِرَاءَةِ الْعَامَّةِ‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) recited the following Verse) in the usual tone: 'Fahal-Min-Muddalkir.' (54.15)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3345

    حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ ‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting: "Fahal Min Muddakir." (See Hadith No. 557)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3376

    حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَرَأَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِر ‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) recited:-- 'Hal-min-Muddakir' (54.15) (Is there any that will remember) (and avoid evil).

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4869

    حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏

    Narrated `Abdullah bin Masud: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite: "Fahal-min-Maddakir (then is there any that will receive admonition?")

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4870

    حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah bin Masud: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite: "Fahal-min-Maddakir (then is there any that will receive admonition?")

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4871

    حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ الأَسْوَدَ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ أَوْ مُذَّكِرٍ فَقَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ يَقْرَؤُهَا ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏ قَالَ وَسَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَؤُهَا ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏ دَالاً‏.‏

    Narrated Abu 'Is-haq: A man asked Al-Aswad, 'is it 'Fahal min-Muddakir' or'..Mudhdhakir?" Al Aswad replied, 'I have heard `Abdullah bin Masud reciting it, 'Fahal-min Muddakir'; I too, heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting it 'Fahal-min-Muddakir' with 'd'.

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4872

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏ الآيَةَ‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah bin Masud: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite: "Fahal-min-Maddakir (then is there any that will receive admonition?")

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4873

    حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏، ولقد أهلكنا أشياعكم فهل من مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏

    Narrated `Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) recited: 'Fahal-min Muddakir': 'And verily, We have destroyed nations like unto you; then is there any that will receive admonition?' (54.51)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4874

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَهَلْ مِنْ مُذَّكِرٍ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏﴿‏فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ‏﴾‏

    Narrated `Abdullah: I recited before the Prophet (ﷺ) 'Fahal-min-Mudhdhakir'. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is Fahal-min Muddakir."

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  2. Relates to āyah45–46
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2915

    حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ فِي قُبَّةٍ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَدْ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، فَقَدْ أَلْحَحْتَ عَلَى رَبِّكَ، وَهْوَ فِي الدِّرْعِ، فَخَرَجَ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ ‏﴿‏سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ * بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَى وَأَمَرُّ ‏﴾‏‏.‏ وَقَالَ وُهَيْبٌ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ‏.‏

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) , while in a tent (on the day of the battle of Badr) said, "O Allah! I ask you the fulfillment of Your Covenant and Promise. O Allah! If You wish (to destroy the believers) You will never be worshipped after today." Abu Bakr caught him by the hand and said, "This is sufficient, O Allah's Apostle! You have asked Allah pressingly." The Prophet (ﷺ) was clad in his armor at that time. He went out, saying to me: "There multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs. Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time (for their full recompense) and that Hour will be more grievous and more bitter (than their worldly failure)." (54.45-46) Khalid said that was on the day of the battle of Badr.

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4877

    حَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ وَهْوَ فِي قُبَّةٍ لَهُ يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ ‏"‏ أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَدْ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ أَبَدًا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِيَدِهِ وَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ أَلْحَحْتَ عَلَى رَبِّكَ‏.‏ وَهْوَ فِي الدِّرْعِ فَخَرَجَ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ ‏﴿‏سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ * بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَى وَأَمَرُّ‏﴾‏‏"‏

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas: While in his tent on the day the Battle of Badr, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! I request You (to fulfill) Your promise and contract. O Allah! It You wish that the Believers be destroyed). You will never be worshipped henceforth." On that, Abu Bakr held the Prophet (ﷺ) by the hand and said, "That is enough, O Allah's Messenger! You have appealed to your Lord too pressingly" The Prophet (ﷺ) was wearing his armor and then went out reciting: 'Their multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs. Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time (for their full recompense), and the Hour will be more previous and most bitter.' (54.45-46)

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  3. Relates to āyah45
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3953

    حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَوْشَبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَدْ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ‏.‏ فَخَرَجَ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ ‏﴿‏سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ‏﴾‏

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas: On the day of the battle of Badr, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! I appeal to You (to fulfill) Your Covenant and Promise. O Allah! If Your Will is that none should worship You (then give victory to the pagans)." Then Abu Bakr took hold of him by the hand and said, "This is sufficient for you." The Prophet came out saying, "Their multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs." (54.45)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4875

    حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَوْشَبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ،‏.‏ وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ وُهَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ وَهْوَ فِي قُبَّةٍ يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ تَشَأْ لاَ تُعْبَدْ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَلْحَحْتَ عَلَى رَبِّكَ‏.‏ وَهْوَ يَثِبُ فِي الدِّرْعِ، فَخَرَجَ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ ‏﴿‏سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ‏﴾‏‏.‏‏"‏

    Narrated `Abbas: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) while in a tent on the day of the Battle of Badr, said, "O Allah! I request you (to fulfill) Your promise and contract! O Allah! If You wish that you will not be worshipped henceforth.." On that Abu Bakr held the Prophet (ﷺ) by the hand and said, "That is enough, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) You have appealed to your Lord too pressingly," while the Prophet (ﷺ) was putting on his armor. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went out, reciting Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.' (54.45)

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