Surah Al-Insan (Ad-Dahr) Full Text — Hal Ata ‘ala al-Insan (Hafs)

هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًا﴿١﴾إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍۢ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا﴿٢﴾إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا﴿٣﴾إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ سَلَٰسِلَا۟ وَأَغْلَٰلًۭا وَسَعِيرًا﴿٤﴾إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍۢ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُورًا﴿٥﴾عَيْنًۭا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًۭا﴿٦﴾يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًۭا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسْتَطِيرًۭا﴿٧﴾وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا﴿٨﴾إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا﴿٩﴾إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًۭا قَمْطَرِيرًۭا﴿١٠﴾فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةًۭ وَسُرُورًۭا﴿١١﴾وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ جَنَّةًۭ وَحَرِيرًۭا﴿١٢﴾مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۖ لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًۭا وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًۭا﴿١٣﴾وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلَٰلُهَا وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًۭا﴿١٤﴾وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِـَٔانِيَةٍۢ مِّن فِضَّةٍۢ وَأَكْوَابٍۢ كَانَتْ قَوَارِيرَا۠﴿١٥﴾قَوَارِيرَا۟ مِن فِضَّةٍۢ قَدَّرُوهَا تَقْدِيرًۭا﴿١٦﴾وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًۭا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا﴿١٧﴾عَيْنًۭا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًۭا﴿١٨﴾۞ وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌۭ مُّخَلَّدُونَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ حَسِبْتَهُمْ لُؤْلُؤًۭا مَّنثُورًۭا﴿١٩﴾وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًۭا وَمُلْكًۭا كَبِيرًا﴿٢٠﴾عَٰلِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌۭ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌۭ ۖ وَحُلُّوٓا۟ أَسَاوِرَ مِن فِضَّةٍۢ وَسَقَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًۭا طَهُورًا﴿٢١﴾إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا﴿٢٢﴾إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَنزِيلًۭا﴿٢٣﴾فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًۭا﴿٢٤﴾وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةًۭ وَأَصِيلًۭا﴿٢٥﴾وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَٱسْجُدْ لَهُۥ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًۭا طَوِيلًا﴿٢٦﴾إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمْ يَوْمًۭا ثَقِيلًۭا﴿٢٧﴾نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَٰهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَٰلَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا﴿٢٨﴾إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦ تَذْكِرَةٌۭ ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ سَبِيلًۭا﴿٢٩﴾وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا﴿٣٠﴾يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَآءُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ وَٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۢا﴿٣١﴾

About Surah Al-Insan

Surah Al-Insan is the 76th surah in the order of the mushaf. The majority of scholars hold it to be a Medinan surah, and it contains 31 ayahs. The Prophet ﷺ gave it a special place by reciting it, together with Surah As-Sajdah, in the Fajr prayer every Friday.

The surah opens with Allah’s words «Hal ata ‘ala al-insan hinun mina ad-dahr» — “Has there come upon man a period of time when he was nothing worth mentioning?” — which is also why it is known as «Surah Ad-Dahr» and «Surah Hal Ata». It reflects on the creation of the human being from a humble drop, the gift of hearing and sight, and the way Allah showed him the path — “be he grateful or ungrateful.” It then draws a vivid contrast between the punishment of the disbelievers and the great reward of the righteous (al-abrar) in Paradise.

The text shown on this page is the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, the reading used in most of the Muslim world, in the Uthmani script that follows the Madinah mushaf. The audio recitation is by Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi.

Virtues of Surah Al-Insan

1. Recited in the Fajr prayer on Fridays

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite in the Fajr prayer on Friday «Alif-Lam-Mim Tanzil» (Surah As-Sajdah) and «Hal ata ‘ala al-insan» (Surah Al-Insan) (reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Scholars explain that these two surahs gather the great themes of creation, the resurrection and the gathering — matters connected with Friday.

2. A reminder of the reward of the righteous

The heart of the surah is a long, tender description of the reward prepared for the righteous — those who fulfil their vows, fear a Day whose evil is widespread, and feed the poor, the orphan, and the captive saying: “We feed you only for the Face of Allah. We wish from you neither reward nor thanks.” It is among the most moving passages of the Quran on sincerity and charity.

3. A call to patience and the remembrance of Allah

Towards its end the surah commands the Prophet ﷺ — and every believer — to be patient for the decree of his Lord, to remember the name of his Lord morning and evening, and to prostrate to Him and glorify Him through the long night. It is a surah that turns the heart towards worship and steadfastness.

Themes of the Surah

1. The creation of man and the gift of guidance ([ayahs 1–3](#ayah-1))

Allah reminds the human being that he was once “nothing worth mentioning,” created from a mingled drop, given hearing and sight, and shown the way — free to be grateful or ungrateful.

Read from ayah 1 →

2. The punishment of the disbelievers ([ayah 4](#ayah-4))

A brief, sobering mention of the chains, shackles, and blazing Fire prepared for those who reject the truth — set just before the long passage on the reward of the believers.

Read ayah 4 →

3. The reward of the righteous — al-Abrar ([ayahs 5–22](#ayah-5))

The longest section: the righteous drink from a cup tempered with Kafur and a spring called Salsabil, wear garments of fine green silk, and are served by immortal youths — their reward for feeding the needy for the Face of Allah, fulfilling their vows, and fearing the Day of Judgment.

Read from ayah 5 →

4. The revelation and the call to patience and prayer ([ayahs 23–26](#ayah-23))

Allah affirms that He sent down the Quran in stages, and commands patience for His decree, the remembrance of His name morning and evening, and prostration and glorification through the night.

Read from ayah 23 →

5. A warning and the will of Allah ([ayahs 27–31](#ayah-27))

A warning to those who love the fleeting world and ignore the heavy Day ahead, a reminder that it is Allah who created and strengthened them, and the closing truth: «But you cannot will except that Allah wills» — He admits whom He wills into His mercy.

Read from ayah 27 →

Tips for reading and memorising

Recite it (with Surah As-Sajdah) in the Fajr prayer on Fridays to revive the sunnah.
It is short (31 ayahs) and can be memorised in about a week at 4–5 ayahs a day.
Pause to reflect on the passage about feeding the poor for the Face of Allah.
Listen to the recitation above by Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi to help your memorisation.
Use the “font size” buttons at the top of the page for a comfortable read.
You can print the surah from your browser (Ctrl+P) for a clean paper copy.

Frequently asked questions

How many ayahs are in Surah Al-Insan?

Surah Al-Insan has 31 ayahs. It is the 76th surah in the order of the mushaf, and the majority of scholars hold it to be a Medinan surah.

Why is it called Surah Al-Insan?

It is called Surah Al-Insan (“The Human”) because it opens with Allah’s words «Hal ata ‘ala al-insan hinun mina ad-dahr» — “Has there come upon man a period of time when he was nothing worth mentioning?” The surah reflects on the creation of the human being, the gift of guidance, and his final destiny.

What are the other names of Surah Al-Insan?

The surah is also known as «Surah Ad-Dahr» (“Time”), after the word ad-dahr in its first verse; «Surah Hal Ata», after its opening words; and «Surah al-Abrar» (“the Righteous”), because of its long, beautiful description of the reward of the righteous in Paradise.

Why is Surah Al-Insan recited in the Fajr prayer on Fridays?

It is an established sunnah: Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite in the Fajr prayer on Friday «Alif-Lam-Mim Tanzil» (Surah As-Sajdah) and «Hal ata ‘ala al-insan» (Surah Al-Insan). (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) These two surahs remind the worshippers of the creation of man, the resurrection and the gathering.

What is Surah Al-Insan about?

It begins with the creation of the human from a mingled drop and the gift of hearing and sight, and the way Allah guided him — “be he grateful or ungrateful.” It then contrasts the punishment of the disbelievers with a vivid, beautiful description of the reward of the righteous (al-abrar): fountains of Kafur and Salsabil, garments of silk, and the company of immortal youths — for those who fed the poor, the orphan, and the captive seeking only the Face of Allah.

How long does it take to read the full surah?

A complete recitation of Surah Al-Insan takes about 4 to 5 minutes at a moderate pace. It is a relatively short surah and well suited to regular reading.

Which recitation is the text on this page based on?

The text shown on this page is the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim — the most widely used reading in the Muslim world — written in the Uthmani script that follows the Madinah mushaf. The audio recitation on this page is by Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi.

Is Surah Al-Insan Meccan or Medinan?

The majority of scholars classify Surah Al-Insan as Medinan — revealed after the migration to Madinah — though some early scholars considered it Meccan. The Madinah mushaf lists it as Medinan.

How can I memorise Surah Al-Insan easily?

A simple plan: split it over six days (about five ayahs per day), recite it regularly to anchor what you have memorised, listen to it on Quran radio, and review it often. Use the font-size buttons on this page to read it comfortably.

Surah Al-Insan (Ad-Dahr) — Full Text in Clear Arabic Script

Listen to the recitation