Al-Anbiya (Arabic: الأنبياء) is the 21st chapter (surah) of the Quran. It consists of 112 verses, 7 Rukus, 1177 words, and 5093 letters. Surat al Anbiya is a Makki surah, and it is located in the 17th para (juz) of the Quran. The chapter surah al anbiya, meaning The Prophets,” talks about fourteen different prophets. This surah talks about the conflict between the Holy Prophet and the leaders of Makkah. It addresses the doubts and objections people had about his role as a prophet and also explains beliefs about one God and life after death. The leaders of Makkah were scolded for plotting against the Holy Prophet, and they were cautioned about the bad outcomes of their evil actions. By the end of the Al Anbiya Surah, they were informed that the person they thought was causing them trouble was actually a blessing sent to them.
Following are the benefits of Surah Anbiya recitation:
Verse 51 to surah anbiya ayat 69 recountes the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim and his plea to his people against idol worship. His people responded to Ibrahim’s questioning of their devotion to lifeless idols. They stated that it was a tradition inherited from their ancestors. He rebuked them, affirming their error, stating,
“Indeed, you and your fathers were in glaring error” (Quran, Surah Anbiya, 21:54).
Determined to prove the idols’ falsehood, Ibrahim devised a plan while his people were away celebrating. He entered their temples and shattered all the idols except the largest, leaving it intact to confront his people’s misconceptions. Upon their return, they accused Ibrahim, who redirected blame to the remaining idol, saying,
“No, it was this biggest one of them who did it! Ask them, if they can speak” (Quran, Surah Anbiya, 21:63).
Initially recognizing their error, they quickly reverted to disbelief, insisting that idols could not speak. Ibrahim challenged their logic, emphasizing their senselessness, declaring,
“Woe to you and that which you worship instead of God. Did you not use reason?” (Quran, Surah Anbiya, 21:67).
In retaliation, they attempted to burn him alive, but miraculously, the fire did not harm him. This event underscored Ibrahim’s divine favor and his unwavering commitment to truth.
87-88 verses are the two of the most renowned verses in Surat Anbiya . The final part Surah al Anbiya ayat 87, along with verse 88, is famously known as dhikr al-Yūnisiyyah. Because it contains Jonah’s prayer to Allah while he was inside the belly of the fish.
وَ ذَا النُّوْنِ اِذْ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ اَنْ لَّنْ نَّقْدِرَ عَلَیْهِ فَنَادٰى فِی الظُّلُمٰتِ اَنْ لَّاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنْتَ سُبْحٰنَكَ ﳓ اِنِّیْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ(87) فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهٗۙ-وَ نَجَّیْنٰهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّؕ-وَ كَذٰلِكَ نُـْۨجِی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ(88)
It is believe that repeating this dhikr a certain number of times to have both spiritual and physical benefits.
In Quran Majeed Surah Anbiya para no is 17.
Surah Al Anbiya ayat 83 recounts how Job (Ayyub) implored his Lord during affliction, recognizing Allah’s boundless mercy as he sought relief from suffering.
Surat Al Anbiya, Ayat 89 highlights the prayer of Zechariah (Zakariya) to Allah, where he implores to not be left alone and acknowledges Allah as the Best of inheritors.