Al-Ahqaf (الأحقاف)

46. Al-Ahqaf (الأحقاف)

Meaning: The Sand Dunes

Total Ayahs: 35

Place of Revelation: Mecca

Summary

Surah Al-Ahqaf addresses the People of 'Ad who inhabited the sand dunes (Ahqaf), destroyed for rejecting Prophet Hud. It establishes parental respect as a divine command while balancing it with truthfulness. The Surah also describes jinn hearing the Quran and believing, contrasting them with arrogant human disbelievers.

Core Message

Civilizations that reject truth are annihilated. Kindness to parents must align with Tawheed. Supernatural beings submit while humans rebel.

Benefits

The Prophet (PBUH) recited it to new Muslims for its clear creedal proofs. Its jinn narrative (46:29-32) is cited in Islamic demonology studies.

Famous Verses

46:15 "وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَـٰنًا..." - 'We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents...'
46:29 "وَإِذْ صَرَفْنَآ إِلَيْكَ نَفَرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ..." - 'When We directed to you a group of jinn...'
46:35 "فَٱصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعَزْمِ مِنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ..." - 'So be patient as the resolute messengers were patient...'

Moral Lesson

Geological ruins testify to divine justice. Parental duties don't override truth. Jinn's faith shames human stubbornness.

Divine Attributes

Al-Qawi (The All-Strong), Al-Aziz (The Almighty), Al-Barr (The Source of Goodness)

Keywords

'Ad's Destruction Parental Kindness Jinn's Testimony Prophetic Patience