Az-Zukhruf (Arabic: الزخرف) is the 43rd chapter of the Holy Quran. It consists of 7 Rukus, 89 verses, 836 words, and 3609 letters. Surah Zukhruf meaning is Ornaments of Gold, and this surah is located in 25 para (Juz) of the Quran. This Meccan surah derives its name from the ornaments mentioned in verse 35. The surah opens with the Muqatt’at letters حم. It criticizes the pagans for blindly following their forefathers. Theythe angels as Allah’s daughters and claim Muhammad (ﷺ) is unworthy of revelations because he is not rich. They associate idols with Allah in worship, even though they admit He is the sole Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Read colour coded Surah al Zukhruf with tajweed rules at islamicsurah.com.
Following are the virtues and benefits of reciting Surat Zukhruf:
وَ تِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِیْۤ اُوْرِثْتُمُوْهَا بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ(72)
‘And this is Paradise which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do.’ (Quran 43:72)”
Another significant theme in this surah addresses the role of angels as servants of God, not His daughters. Verses 15-19 highlight the ingratitude of disbelievers who mistakenly elevate angels to a status beyond mere servitude. The Meccan pagans, in particular, erred in considering angels as daughters of God, despite their dismissive treatment of their own daughters. The surah firmly rejects any familial association between God and angels.
وَ جَعَلُوا الْمَلٰٓىٕكَةَ الَّذِیْنَ هُمْ عِبٰدُ الرَّحْمٰنِ اِنَاثًاؕ-اَشَهِدُوْا خَلْقَهُمْؕ-سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَادَتُهُمْ وَ یُسْــٴَـلُوْنَ(19)
“And they have made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned.”
This theme reemerges in verses 57-60, where the surah again refutes the pagan belief that elevates angels to the status of daughters of God, surpassing even Jesus whom Christians regard as the Son of God. The surah underscores that angels are exclusively servants of God, and it condemns disbelievers who argue otherwise merely to challenge the beliefs of the believers.
The surah emphasizes that Allah chose to impart His message to those whom He personally guided and who believed in Him, rather than those who possessed material wealth. It asserts that if wealth and worldly power were true indicators of worth and reward, Allah would not have bestowed them upon disbelievers and hypocrites.
“On the Day when friends will become enemies to one another, except for the righteous.”
This verse describes the Day of Judgment when close friends or allies in the worldly life will turn against each other, except for those who were righteous and God-conscious.
This verse asserts that Jesus (Isa) is a sign of the Hour (Day of Judgment) and serves as a reminder to believe in this reality without doubt. Following the path set by Allah and His guidance through the prophets, including Jesus, ensures one stays on the right course toward salvation and righteousness.