Surah Saba

سبإ

Surah Saba is a Meccan surah of 54 verses about gratitude and ingratitude, setting the family of David and Solomon beside the people of Sheba, whose gardens were destroyed when they turned away.

Meaning
Sheba
Surah
34 of 114
Verses
54
Revealed in
Mecca
Found in
Juz 22

What Surah Saba is about

Saba, Sheba, is the 34th surah of the Quran and lies within juz 22. It was revealed in Mecca and is named after the people of Sheba, an ancient kingdom in southern Arabia whose story is told in verses 15 to 19.

The surah opens with praise of Allah, to whom everything in the heavens and earth belongs, and who knows what enters the earth and what comes out of it, what comes down from the sky and what rises into it (1 to 2). Verse 3 answers those who say the Hour will never come, stating that not even an atom's weight escapes His knowledge. Verses 7 and 8 record the mockery of those who called the Prophet ﷺ a liar or a madman for speaking of a new creation after death.

Verses 10 to 14 describe the gifts given to David (Dawud) and Solomon (Sulayman). Mountains and birds echoed David's praise and iron was softened for him to make armor (10 to 11). Solomon was given the wind and a spring of molten copper, and jinn worked for him (12 to 13). Verse 13 calls on the family of David to work in gratitude, noting that few of Allah's servants are truly grateful. Verse 14 tells how Solomon died while leaning on his staff, and the jinn did not realize until a creature had eaten through it, showing they did not know the unseen.

Verses 15 to 19 then tell of Sheba, a land with two gardens on the right and left, told to eat from their Lord's provision and be grateful. They turned away, and a flood from the dam replaced their gardens with bitter fruit and thorny shrubs. The rest of the surah argues with the deniers: the powerlessness of false gods (22), the leaders and followers blaming each other on the Day of Judgment (31 to 33), and the claim that wealth and children prove Allah's favor, answered in verse 37. Verse 46 asks people to stand up for Allah in pairs or alone and reflect, and the surah ends with the deniers seized from a place near at hand (51 to 54).

Main themes

  1. Allah's complete knowledge

    The surah begins by describing Allah's knowledge of everything that enters and leaves the earth and the sky. Nothing as small as an atom, or smaller, is hidden from Him, which answers those who deny the Hour.

    Verses 1–9
  2. David and Solomon: gifts and gratitude

    David is given a voice that mountains and birds echo and the skill to shape iron. Solomon is given the wind, molten copper and the service of jinn, and the family of David is told to work in gratitude.

    Verses 10–13
  3. Solomon's death and the limits of the jinn

    Solomon dies while the jinn keep working, unaware, until a creature eats through his staff and he falls. The story shows that the jinn had no knowledge of the unseen.

    Verse 14
  4. The people of Sheba

    Sheba had two gardens and safe, easy travel between towns. When they turned away from gratitude, the flood of the dam destroyed their gardens and they were scattered so completely that they became a story told by others.

    Verses 15–21
  5. Wealth is not proof of favor

    The wealthy in every town rejected their warners and pointed to their money and children as proof they would not be punished. Verse 37 answers that only faith and good deeds bring a person near to Allah.

    Verses 34–39
  6. Stand and reflect

    The Prophet ﷺ asks only one thing of his people: to stand for Allah in pairs or individually and think honestly about whether he is mad. The surah closes with the truth arriving and falsehood unable to begin anything or bring it back.

    Verses 46–54

Verses to know

يَعۡمَلُونَ لَهُۥ مَا يَشَآءُ مِن مَّحَٰرِيبَ وَتَمَٰثِيلَ وَجِفَانٖ كَٱلۡجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٖ رَّاسِيَٰتٍۚ ٱعۡمَلُوٓاْ ءَالَ دَاوُۥدَ شُكۡرٗاۚ وَقَلِيلࣱ مِّنۡ عِبَادِيَ ٱلشَّكُورُ ﴿١٣﴾

They made for him whatever he wished: sanctuaries, statues, bowls like pools, and heavy cauldrons. “O House of David, work with appreciation,” but a few of My servants are appreciative.
Saba 34:13

After listing Solomon's extraordinary gifts, the verse tells the family of David to work in gratitude, and observes that only a few of Allah's servants are truly grateful.

فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَوۡتِهِۦٓ إِلَّا دَآبَّةُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَأۡكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُۥۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ ٱلۡجِنُّ أَن لَّوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُواْ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ ﴿١٤﴾

Then, when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated his death to them except an earthworm eating at his staff. Then, when he fell down, it became clear to the sprites that, had they known the unseen, they would not have remained in the demeaning torment.
Saba 34:14

The account of Solomon's death, noticed only when a creature had eaten through his staff, is one of the most unusual scenes in the Quran and shows that even the jinn did not know the unseen.

لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٖ فِي مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةࣱۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٖ وَشِمَالٖۖ كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۥۚ بَلۡدَةࣱ طَيِّبَةࣱ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورࣱ ﴿١٥﴾ فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلۡنَٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡهِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَيۡ أُكُلٍ خَمۡطٖ وَأَثۡلٖ وَشَيۡءٖ مِّن سِدۡرٖ قَلِيلٖ ﴿١٦﴾

15In Sheba’s homeland there used to be a wonder: two gardens, on the right, and on the left. “Eat of your Lord’s provision, and give thanks to Him.” A good land, and a forgiving Lord. 16But they turned away, so We unleashed against them the flood of the dam; and We substituted their two gardens with two gardens of bitter fruits, thorny shrubs, and meager harvest.
Saba 34:15–16

These verses describe Sheba's two gardens and the flood of the dam that destroyed them, a story about what happens when blessings are met with ingratitude.

۞قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٰحِدَةٍۖ أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَفُرَٰدَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُواْۚ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرࣱ لَّكُم بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٖ ﴿٤٦﴾

Say, “I offer you a single advice: devote yourselves to Allah, in pairs, or individually; and reflect. There is no madness in your friend. He is just a warner to you, before the advent of a severe punishment.”
Saba 34:46

The Prophet ﷺ asks his people for just one thing, to stand for Allah alone or in pairs and reflect, an invitation to honest thinking rather than pressure.

Surah Saba in Arabic and English

All 54 verses, with the Arabic, a transliteration to help you read it aloud, and the English translation by Talal Itani.

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. 1

    ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَهُ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ

    Alhamdu lillahi allathee lahu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi walahu alhamdu fee alakhirati wahuwa alhakeemu alkhabeeru

    Praise be to Allah, to whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; and praise be to Him in the Hereafter. He is the Wise, the Expert.

  2. 2

    يَعۡلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعۡرُجُ فِيهَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ

    YaAAlamu ma yaliju fee alardi wama yakhruju minha wama yanzilu mina alssamai wama yaAAruju feeha wahuwa alrraheemu alghafooru

    He knows what penetrates into the earth, and what comes out of it, and what descends from the sky, and what ascends to it. He is the Merciful, the Forgiving.

  3. 3

    وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَا تَأۡتِينَا ٱلسَّاعَةُۖ قُلۡ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتَأۡتِيَنَّكُمۡ عَٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِۖ لَا يَعۡزُبُ عَنۡهُ مِثۡقَالُ ذَرَّةٖ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَآ أَصۡغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكۡبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبٖ مُّبِينٖ

    Waqala allatheena kafaroo la tateena alssaAAatu qul bala warabbee latatiyannakum AAalimi alghaybi la yaAAzubu AAanhu mithqalu tharratin fee alssamawati wala fee alardi wala asgharu min thalika wala akbaru illa fee kitabin mubeenin

    Those who disbelieve say, “The Hour will not come upon us.” Say, “Yes indeed, by my Lord, it will come upon you. He is the Knower of the unseen.” Not an atom’s weight in the heavens and the earth, or anything smaller or larger, escapes His knowledge. All are in a Clear Record.

  4. 4

    لِّيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣱ وَرِزۡقࣱ كَرِيمࣱ

    Liyajziya allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati olaika lahum maghfiratun warizqun kareemun

    That He may recompense those who believe and do good works. Those will have forgiveness, and a generous provision.

  5. 5

    وَٱلَّذِينَ سَعَوۡ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا مُعَٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابࣱ مِّن رِّجۡزٍ أَلِيمࣱ

    Waallatheena saAAaw fee ayatina muAAajizeena olaika lahum AAathabun min rijzin aleemin

    As for those who strive against Our revelations, seeking to undermine them—for them is a punishment of a painful plague.

  6. 6

    وَيَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَيَهۡدِيٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ

    Wayara allatheena ootoo alAAilma allathee onzila ilayka min rabbika huwa alhaqqa wayahdee ila sirati alAAazeezi alhameedi

    Those who received knowledge know that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth; and it guides to the path of the Majestic, the Praiseworthy.

  7. 7

    وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَلۡ نَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ يُنَبِّئُكُمۡ إِذَا مُزِّقۡتُمۡ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ إِنَّكُمۡ لَفِي خَلۡقٖ جَدِيدٍ

    Waqala allatheena kafaroo hal nadullukum AAala rajulin yunabbiokum itha muzziqtum kulla mumazzaqin innakum lafee khalqin jadeedin

    Those who disbelieved said, “Shall we point out to you a man, who will tell you that, once torn into shreds, you will be in a new creation?

  8. 8

    أَفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَم بِهِۦ جِنَّةُۢۗ بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ وَٱلضَّلَٰلِ ٱلۡبَعِيدِ

    Aftara AAala Allahi kathiban am bihi jinnatun bali allatheena la yuminoona bialakhirati fee alAAathabi waalddalali albaAAeedi

    Did he invent a lie about Allah, or is there madness in him?” Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are in torment, and far astray.

  9. 9

    أَفَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِن نَّشَأۡ نَخۡسِفۡ بِهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَوۡ نُسۡقِطۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ كِسَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّكُلِّ عَبۡدٖ مُّنِيبٖ

    Afalam yaraw ila ma bayna aydeehim wama khalfahum mina alssamai waalardi in nasha nakhsif bihimu alarda aw nusqit AAalayhim kisafan mina alssamai inna fee thalika laayatan likulli AAabdin muneebin

    Do they not reflect upon what lies before them and behind them, of the heaven and the earth? If We will, We can make the earth cave in beneath them, or make pieces of the sky fall down on them. In that is a sign for every devout servant.

  10. 10

    ۞وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضۡلٗاۖ يَٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيۡرَۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلۡحَدِيدَ

    Walaqad atayna dawooda minna fadlan ya jibalu awwibee maAAahu waalttayra waalanna lahu alhadeeda

    We bestowed upon David favor from Us: “O mountains, and birds: echo with him.” And We softened iron for him.

  11. 11

    أَنِ ٱعۡمَلۡ سَٰبِغَٰتٖ وَقَدِّرۡ فِي ٱلسَّرۡدِۖ وَٱعۡمَلُواْ صَٰلِحًاۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرࣱ

    Ani iAAmal sabighatin waqaddir fee alssardi waiAAmaloo salihan innee bima taAAmaloona baseerun

    “Make coats of armor, and measure the links well; and work righteousness. I am Observant of everything you do.”

  12. 12

    وَلِسُلَيۡمَٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهۡرࣱ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهۡرࣱۖ وَأَسَلۡنَا لَهُۥ عَيۡنَ ٱلۡقِطۡرِۖ وَمِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ مَن يَعۡمَلُ بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِۦۖ وَمَن يَزِغۡ مِنۡهُمۡ عَنۡ أَمۡرِنَا نُذِقۡهُ مِنۡ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

    Walisulaymana alrreeha ghuduwwuha shahrun warawahuha shahrun waasalna lahu AAayna alqitri wamina aljinni man yaAAmalu bayna yadayhi biithni rabbihi waman yazigh minhum AAan amrina nuthiqhu min AAathabi alssaAAeeri

    And for Solomon the wind—its outward journey was one month, and its return journey was one month. And We made a spring of tar flow for him. And there were sprites that worked under him, by the leave of his Lord. But whoever of them swerved from Our command, We make him taste of the punishment of the Inferno.

  13. 13

    يَعۡمَلُونَ لَهُۥ مَا يَشَآءُ مِن مَّحَٰرِيبَ وَتَمَٰثِيلَ وَجِفَانٖ كَٱلۡجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٖ رَّاسِيَٰتٍۚ ٱعۡمَلُوٓاْ ءَالَ دَاوُۥدَ شُكۡرٗاۚ وَقَلِيلࣱ مِّنۡ عِبَادِيَ ٱلشَّكُورُ

    YaAAmaloona lahu ma yashao min mahareeba watamatheela wajifanin kaaljawabi waqudoorin rasiyatin iAAmaloo ala dawooda shukran waqaleelun min AAibadiya alshshakooru

    They made for him whatever he wished: sanctuaries, statues, bowls like pools, and heavy cauldrons. “O House of David, work with appreciation,” but a few of My servants are appreciative.

  14. 14

    فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَوۡتِهِۦٓ إِلَّا دَآبَّةُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَأۡكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُۥۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ ٱلۡجِنُّ أَن لَّوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُواْ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ

    Falamma qadayna AAalayhi almawta ma dallahum AAala mawtihi illa dabbatu alardi takulu minsaatahu falamma kharra tabayyanati aljinnu an law kanoo yaAAlamoona alghayba ma labithoo fee alAAathabi almuheeni

    Then, when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated his death to them except an earthworm eating at his staff. Then, when he fell down, it became clear to the sprites that, had they known the unseen, they would not have remained in the demeaning torment.

  15. 15

    لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٖ فِي مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةࣱۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٖ وَشِمَالٖۖ كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۥۚ بَلۡدَةࣱ طَيِّبَةࣱ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورࣱ

    Laqad kana lisabain fee maskanihim ayatun jannatani AAan yameenin washimalin kuloo min rizqi rabbikum waoshkuroo lahu baldatun tayyibatun warabbun ghafoorun

    In Sheba’s homeland there used to be a wonder: two gardens, on the right, and on the left. “Eat of your Lord’s provision, and give thanks to Him.” A good land, and a forgiving Lord.

  16. 16

    فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلۡنَٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡهِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَيۡ أُكُلٍ خَمۡطٖ وَأَثۡلٖ وَشَيۡءٖ مِّن سِدۡرٖ قَلِيلٖ

    FaaAAradoo faarsalna AAalayhim sayla alAAarimi wabaddalnahum bijannatayhim jannatayni thawatay okulin khamtin waathlin washayin min sidrin qaleelin

    But they turned away, so We unleashed against them the flood of the dam; and We substituted their two gardens with two gardens of bitter fruits, thorny shrubs, and meager harvest.

  17. 17

    ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيۡنَٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ وَهَلۡ نُجَٰزِيٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ

    Thalika jazaynahum bima kafaroo wahal nujazee illa alkafoora

    We thus penalized them for their ingratitude. Would We penalize any but the ungrateful?

  18. 18

    وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلۡقُرَى ٱلَّتِي بَٰرَكۡنَا فِيهَا قُرٗى ظَٰهِرَةٗ وَقَدَّرۡنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيۡرَۖ سِيرُواْ فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ

    WajaAAalna baynahum wabayna alqura allatee barakna feeha quran thahiratan waqaddarna feeha alssayra seeroo feeha layaliya waayyaman amineena

    Between them and the towns We had blessed, We placed prominent towns, and We made the travel between them easy. “Travel between them by night and day, in safety.”

  19. 19

    فَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا بَٰعِدۡ بَيۡنَ أَسۡفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقۡنَٰهُمۡ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٖ شَكُورٖ

    Faqaloo rabbana baAAid bayna asfarina wathalamoo anfusahum fajaAAalnahum ahadeetha wamazzaqnahum kulla mumazzaqin inna fee thalika laayatin likulli sabbarin shakoorin

    But they said, “Our Lord, lengthen the distances of our journeys.” They wronged themselves; so We made them history, and We scattered them in every direction. In this are lessons for every steadfast and appreciative person.

  20. 20

    وَلَقَدۡ صَدَّقَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ إِبۡلِيسُ ظَنَّهُۥ فَٱتَّبَعُوهُ إِلَّا فَرِيقٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

    Walaqad saddaqa AAalayhim ibleesu thannahu faittabaAAoohu illa fareeqan mina almumineena

    Satan was correct in his assessment of them. They followed him, except for a group of believers.

  21. 21

    وَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ عَلَيۡهِم مِّن سُلۡطَٰنٍ إِلَّا لِنَعۡلَمَ مَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِمَّنۡ هُوَ مِنۡهَا فِي شَكّٖۗ وَرَبُّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَفِيظࣱ

    Wama kana lahu AAalayhim min sultanin illa linaAAlama man yuminu bialakhirati mimman huwa minha fee shakkin warabbuka AAala kulli shayin hafeethun

    He had no authority over them; except that We willed to distinguish him who believes in the Hereafter, from him who is doubtful about it. Your Lord is Guardian over all things.

  22. 22

    قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٖ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرۡكٖ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنۡهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٖ

    Quli odAAoo allatheena zaAAamtum min dooni Allahi la yamlikoona mithqala tharratin fee alssamawati wala fee alardi wama lahum feehima min shirkin wama lahu minhum min thaheerin

    Say, “Call upon those whom you claim besides Allah. They possess not an atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth, and they possess no share of either, and He has no backers from among them.”

  23. 23

    وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنۡ أَذِنَ لَهُۥۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمۡ قَالُواْ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمۡۖ قَالُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡكَبِيرُ

    Wala tanfaAAu alshshafaAAatu AAindahu illa liman athina lahu hatta itha fuzziAAa AAan quloobihim qaloo matha qala rabbukum qaloo alhaqqa wahuwa alAAaliyyu alkabeeru

    Intercession with Him is of no value, except for someone He has permitted. Until, when fear has subsided from their hearts, they will say, “What did your Lord say?” They will say, “The truth, and He is the High, the Great.”

  24. 24

    ۞قُلۡ مَن يَرۡزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُۖ وَإِنَّآ أَوۡ إِيَّاكُمۡ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى أَوۡ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ

    Qul man yarzuqukum mina alssamawati waalardi quli Allahu wainna aw iyyakum laAAala hudan aw fee dalalin mubeenin

    Say, “Who provides for you from the heavens and the earth?” Say, “Allah. And either you, or we, are rightly guided, or in evident error.”

  25. 25

    قُل لَّا تُسۡـَٔلُونَ عَمَّآ أَجۡرَمۡنَا وَلَا نُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ

    Qul la tusaloona AAamma ajramna wala nusalu AAamma taAAmaloona

    Say, “You will not be asked about our misdeeds, nor will we be asked about what you do.”

  26. 26

    قُلۡ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفۡتَحُ بَيۡنَنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُوَ ٱلۡفَتَّاحُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

    Qul yajmaAAu baynana rabbuna thumma yaftahu baynana bialhaqqi wahuwa alfattahu alAAaleemu

    Say, “Our Lord will bring us together; then He will judge between us equitably. He is the All-Knowing Judge.”

  27. 27

    قُلۡ أَرُونِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَلۡحَقۡتُم بِهِۦ شُرَكَآءَۖ كَلَّاۚ بَلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

    Qul arooniya allatheena alhaqtum bihi shurakaa kalla bal huwa Allahu alAAazeezu alhakeemu

    Say, “Show me those you have attached to Him as associates. No indeed! But He is Allah, the Powerful, the Wise.”

  28. 28

    وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةٗ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرٗا وَنَذِيرٗا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

    Wama arsalnaka illa kaffatan lilnnasi basheeran wanatheeran walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona

    We sent you only universally to all people, a herald and warner, but most people do not know.

  29. 29

    وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ

    Wayaqooloona mata hatha alwaAAdu in kuntum sadiqeena

    And they say, “When is this promise due, if you are truthful?”

  30. 30

    قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوۡمٖ لَّا تَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ عَنۡهُ سَاعَةٗ وَلَا تَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ

    Qul lakum meeAAadu yawmin la tastakhiroona AAanhu saAAatan wala tastaqdimoona

    Say, “You are promised a Day, which you cannot postpone by one hour, nor bring forward.”

  31. 31

    وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ

    Waqala allatheena kafaroo lan numina bihatha alqurani wala biallathee bayna yadayhi walaw tara ithi alththalimoona mawqoofoona AAinda rabbihim yarjiAAu baAAduhum ila baAAdin alqawla yaqoolu allatheena istudAAifoo lillatheena istakbaroo lawla antum lakunna mumineena

    Those who disbelieve say, “We will never believe in this Quran, nor in what came before it.” If you could only see the wrongdoers, captive before their Lord, throwing back allegations at one another. Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “Were it not for you, we would have been believers.”

  32. 32

    قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ

    Qala allatheena istakbaroo lillatheena istudAAifoo anahnu sadadnakum AAani alhuda baAAda ith jaakum bal kuntum mujrimeena

    Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, “Was it us who turned you away from guidance when it came to you? No indeed, you yourselves were sinful.”

  33. 33

    وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادٗاۚ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَۚ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَٰلَ فِيٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۖ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

    Waqala allatheena istudAAifoo lillatheena istakbaroo bal makru allayli waalnnahari ith tamuroonana an nakfura biAllahi wanajAAala lahu andadan waasarroo alnnadamata lamma raawoo alAAathaba wajaAAalna alaghlala fee aAAnaqi allatheena kafaroo hal yujzawna illa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona

    And those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “It was your scheming by night and day; as you instructed us to reject Allah, and to set up rivals to Him.” They will hide their remorse when they see the retribution. We will put yokes around the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be repaid for anything other than what they used to do?

  34. 34

    وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِي قَرۡيَةٖ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ

    Wama arsalna fee qaryatin min natheerin illa qala mutrafooha inna bima orsiltum bihi kafiroona

    We sent no warner to any town, without its affluent saying, “We reject what you are sent with.”

  35. 35

    وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَكۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٰلٗا وَأَوۡلَٰدٗا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

    Waqaloo nahnu aktharu amwalan waawladan wama nahnu bimuAAaththabeena

    And they say, “We have more wealth and more children, and we will not be punished.”

  36. 36

    قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

    Qul inna rabbee yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona

    Say, “My Lord spreads out His bounty to whomever He wills, or restricts it; but most people do not know.”

  37. 37

    وَمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡغُرُفَٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ

    Wama amwalukum wala awladukum biallatee tuqarribukum AAindana zulfa illa man amana waAAamila salihan faolaika lahum jazao alddiAAfi bima AAamiloo wahum fee alghurufati aminoona

    It is neither your wealth nor your children that bring you closer to Us, but it is he who believes and does good deeds. These will have a double reward for what they did; and they will reside in the Chambers, in peace and security.

  38. 38

    وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا مُعَٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ

    Waallatheena yasAAawna fee ayatina muAAajizeena olaika fee alAAathabi muhdaroona

    But those who work against Our revelations, seeking to undermine them—those will be summoned to the punishment.

  39. 39

    قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۥۖ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّـٰزِقِينَ

    Qul inna rabbee yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao min AAibadihi wayaqdiru lahu wama anfaqtum min shayin fahuwa yukhlifuhu wahuwa khayru alrraziqeena

    Say, “My Lord extends the provision to whomever He wills of His servants, or withholds it. Anything you spend, He will replace it. He is the Best of providers.”

  40. 40

    وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ جَمِيعٗا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ

    Wayawma yahshuruhum jameeAAan thumma yaqoolu lilmalaikati ahaolai iyyakum kanoo yaAAbudoona

    On the Day when He gathers them all together, then say to the angels, “Was it you these used to worship?”

  41. 41

    قَالُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ بَلۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ ٱلۡجِنَّۖ أَكۡثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤۡمِنُونَ

    Qaloo subhanaka anta waliyyuna min doonihim bal kanoo yaAAbudoona aljinna aktharuhum bihim muminoona

    They will say, “Be You glorified; You are our Master, not them. In fact, they used to worship the jinn, and most of them had faith in them.”

  42. 42

    فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ لَا يَمۡلِكُ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٖ نَّفۡعٗا وَلَا ضَرّٗا وَنَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّتِي كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ

    Faalyawma la yamliku baAAdukum libaAAdin nafAAan wala darran wanaqoolu lillatheena thalamoo thooqoo AAathaba alnnari allatee kuntum biha tukaththiboona

    “Today, none of you has the power to profit or harm the other.” And We will say to those who did wrong, “Taste the agony of the Fire which you used to deny.”

  43. 43

    وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ قَالُواْ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا رَجُلࣱ يُرِيدُ أَن يَصُدَّكُمۡ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُكُمۡ وَقَالُواْ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ إِفۡكࣱ مُّفۡتَرٗىۚ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلۡحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرࣱ مُّبِينࣱ

    Waitha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna bayyinatin qaloo ma hatha illa rajulun yureedu an yasuddakum AAamma kana yaAAbudu abaokum waqaloo ma hatha illa ifkun muftaran waqala allatheena kafaroo lilhaqqi lamma jaahum in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun

    And when Our enlightening Verses are recited to them, they say, “This is nothing but a man who wants to divert you from what your ancestors used to worship.” And they say, “This is nothing but a fabricated lie.” And when the truth comes to them, the blasphemers say of the truth, “This is nothing but plain magic.”

  44. 44

    وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُم مِّن كُتُبٖ يَدۡرُسُونَهَاۖ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ قَبۡلَكَ مِن نَّذِيرٖ

    Wama ataynahum min kutubin yadrusoonaha wama arsalna ilayhim qablaka min natheerin

    But We gave them no book to study, and We did not send them any warner before you.

  45. 45

    وَكَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَمَا بَلَغُواْ مِعۡشَارَ مَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡ فَكَذَّبُواْ رُسُلِيۖ فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ

    Wakaththaba allatheena min qablihim wama balaghoo miAAshara ma ataynahum fakaththaboo rusulee fakayfa kana nakeeri

    Those before them also denied the truth, yet they have not attained one-tenth of what We had given them. They rejected My messengers, so how was My disapproval?

  46. 46

    ۞قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٰحِدَةٍۖ أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَفُرَٰدَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُواْۚ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرࣱ لَّكُم بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٖ

    Qul innama aAAithukum biwahidatin an taqoomoo lillahi mathna wafurada thumma tatafakkaroo ma bisahibikum min jinnatin in huwa illa natheerun lakum bayna yaday AAathabin shadeedin

    Say, “I offer you a single advice: devote yourselves to Allah, in pairs, or individually; and reflect. There is no madness in your friend. He is just a warner to you, before the advent of a severe punishment.”

  47. 47

    قُلۡ مَا سَأَلۡتُكُم مِّنۡ أَجۡرٖ فَهُوَ لَكُمۡۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ شَهِيدࣱ

    Qul ma saaltukum min ajrin fahuwa lakum in ajriya illa AAala Allahi wahuwa AAala kulli shayin shaheedun

    Say, “Whatever compensation I have asked of you, is yours. My compensation comes only from Allah, and He is Witness over all things.”

  48. 48

    قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَقۡذِفُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ

    Qul inna rabbee yaqthifu bialhaqqi AAallamu alghuyoobi

    Say, “My Lord projects the truth. He is the Knower of the unseen.”

  49. 49

    قُلۡ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَمَا يُبۡدِئُ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُ وَمَا يُعِيدُ

    Qul jaa alhaqqu wama yubdio albatilu wama yuAAeedu

    Say, “The truth has come; while falsehood can neither originate, nor regenerate.”

  50. 50

    قُلۡ إِن ضَلَلۡتُ فَإِنَّمَآ أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِيۖ وَإِنِ ٱهۡتَدَيۡتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِيٓ إِلَيَّ رَبِّيٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعࣱ قَرِيبࣱ

    Qul in dalaltu fainnama adillu AAala nafsee waini ihtadaytu fabima yoohee ilayya rabbee innahu sameeAAun qareebun

    Say, “If I err, I err only to my own loss; but if I am guided, it is by what my Lord inspires me. He is Hearing and Near.”

  51. 51

    وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذۡ فَزِعُواْ فَلَا فَوۡتَ وَأُخِذُواْ مِن مَّكَانٖ قَرِيبٖ

    Walaw tara ith faziAAoo fala fawta waokhithoo min makanin qareebin

    If you could only see when they are terrified, and there is no escape, and they are seized from a nearby place.

  52. 52

    وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلتَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانِۭ بَعِيدٖ

    Waqaloo amanna bihi waanna lahumu alttanawushu min makanin baAAeedin

    And they say, “We have believed in it.” But how can they attain it from a distant place?

  53. 53

    وَقَدۡ كَفَرُواْ بِهِۦ مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَيَقۡذِفُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ مِن مَّكَانِۭ بَعِيدٖ

    Waqad kafaroo bihi min qablu wayaqthifoona bialghaybi min makanin baAAeedin

    They have rejected it in the past, and made allegations from a far-off place.

  54. 54

    وَحِيلَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ مَا يَشۡتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشۡيَاعِهِم مِّن قَبۡلُۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ فِي شَكّٖ مُّرِيبِۭ

    Waheela baynahum wabayna ma yashtahoona kama fuAAila biashyaAAihim min qablu innahum kanoo fee shakkin mureebin

    A barrier will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done formerly with their counterparts. They were in disturbing doubt.

Surah Saba PDF

The whole surah on printable pages: Arabic, transliteration and English side by side. Free to download, print and share.

Download the PDF

Questions about Surah Saba

How many verses are in Surah Saba?

Surah Saba has 54 verses. It is the 34th surah of the Quran and was revealed in Mecca.

What is the story of Sheba in the Quran?

Surah Saba, verses 15 to 19, tells of a people with two rich gardens who were told to be grateful. They turned away, and a flood from the dam replaced their gardens with bitter fruit and thorny shrubs.

How did Prophet Sulaiman die according to the Quran?

Surah Saba, verse 14, says Solomon died while the jinn were still working for him, and they only realized when a creature ate through his staff and he fell.

Which juz is Surah Saba in?

All of Surah Saba is in juz 22.