At-Takwir — The Overthrowing
Surah At-Takwir is chapter 81 of the Noble Quran, revealed in Makki containing 29 verses.
إِذَا ٱلشَّمۡسُ كُوِّرَتۡ
Itha alshshamsu kuwwirat
When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness]
وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتۡ
Waitha alnnujoomu inkadarat
And when the stars fall, dispersing
وَإِذَا ٱلۡجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتۡ
Waitha aljibalu suyyirat
And when the mountains are removed
وَإِذَا ٱلۡعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتۡ
Waitha alAAisharu AAuttilat
And when full-term she-camels are neglected
وَإِذَا ٱلۡوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتۡ
Waitha alwuhooshu hushirat
And when the wild beasts are gathered
وَإِذَا ٱلۡبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتۡ
Waitha albiharu sujjirat
And when the seas are filled with flame
وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتۡ
Waitha alnnufoosu zuwwijat
And when the souls are paired
وَإِذَا ٱلۡمَوۡءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتۡ
Waitha almawoodatu suilat
And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
بِأَيِّ ذَنۢبٖ قُتِلَتۡ
Biayyi thanbin qutilat
For what sin she was killed
وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتۡ
Waitha alssuhufu nushirat
And when the pages are made public
وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتۡ
Waitha alssamao kushitat
And when the sky is stripped away
وَإِذَا ٱلۡجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتۡ
Waitha aljaheemu suAAAAirat
And when Hellfire is set ablaze
وَإِذَا ٱلۡجَنَّةُ أُزۡلِفَتۡ
Waitha aljannatu ozlifat
And when Paradise is brought near
عَلِمَتۡ نَفۡسٞ مَّآ أَحۡضَرَتۡ
AAalimat nafsun ma ahdarat
A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it]
فَلَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِٱلۡخُنَّسِ
Fala oqsimu bialkhunnasi
So I swear by the retreating stars
ٱلۡجَوَارِ ٱلۡكُنَّسِ
Aljawari alkunnasi
Those that run [their courses] and disappear
وَٱلَّيۡلِ إِذَا عَسۡعَسَ
Waallayli itha AAasAAasa
And by the night as it closes in
وَٱلصُّبۡحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ
Waalssubhi itha tanaffasa
And by the dawn when it breathes
إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوۡلُ رَسُولٖ كَرِيمٖ
Innahu laqawlu rasoolin kareemin
[That] indeed, the Qur'an is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger
ذِي قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِي ٱلۡعَرۡشِ مَكِينٖ
Thee quwwatin AAinda thee alAAarshi makeenin
[Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position]
مُّطَاعٖ ثَمَّ أَمِينٖ
MutaAAin thamma ameenin
Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy
وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجۡنُونٖ
Wama sahibukum bimajnoonin
And your companion is not [at all] mad
وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ بِٱلۡأُفُقِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ
Walaqad raahu bialofuqi almubeeni
And he has already seen Gabriel in the clear horizon
وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى ٱلۡغَيۡبِ بِضَنِينٖ
Wama huwa AAala alghaybi bidaneenin
And Muhammad is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen
وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوۡلِ شَيۡطَٰنٖ رَّجِيمٖ
Wama huwa biqawli shaytanin rajeemin
And the Qur'an is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens]
فَأَيۡنَ تَذۡهَبُونَ
Faayna tathhaboona
So where are you going
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرٞ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
In huwa illa thikrun lilAAalameena
It is not except a reminder to the worlds
لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمۡ أَن يَسۡتَقِيمَ
Liman shaa minkum an yastaqeema
For whoever wills among you to take a right course
وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
Wama tashaoona illa an yashaa Allahu rabbu alAAalameena
And you do not will except that Allah wills - Lord of the worlds
Overview
Surah At-Takwir (The Overthrowing) consists of 29 verses. It covers foundational aspects of Islamic belief, moral rectitude, spiritual reflection, and obedience to Allah. Scholars emphasize its continuous recitation for spiritual growth, guidance, and divine protection.
Historical Background
Revealed in Makki during a crucial phase of Prophethood, Surah At-Takwir addressed specific circumstances facing the early Muslim community, offering solace, timeless wisdom, and divine instruction.
Main Themes
- Affirmation of Tawheed and divine wisdom
- Reflections on creation, life, and the Hereafter
- Lessons from past righteous servants and prophets
- Ethical conduct and devotion in daily life
Benefits of Recitation
- Brings tranquility, blessings, and divine protection
- Increases comprehension of Quranic wisdom
- Source of light and guidance on the Straight Path
Virtues
- Reciting Surah At-Takwir earns 10 rewards for every single letter read according to authentic Hadith.
- Regular recitation strengthens faith and protects against spiritual heedlessness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Surah At-Takwir?
Surah At-Takwir emphasizes monotheism, righteous living, accountability before Allah, and seeking divine guidance.
Where was Surah At-Takwir revealed?
It was revealed in Makki and contains 29 verses.
Authentic References
Sahih al-Bukhari · Sahih Muslim · Tafsir Ibn Kathir