Living Quran

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets)

Ash-Shu'ara means "The Poets," from the surah's closing passage distinguishing true revelation from the words of poets.

Ash-Shu'ara is the 26th surah of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 227 ayahs, making it one of the longer chapters. It opens with reassurance to the Prophet Muhammad amid the rejection he faced, then presents an extended series of prophetic narratives that share a recurring structure. It recounts episodes involving Moses and Pharaoh, and the stories of Abraham, Noah, and the messengers sent to peoples such as the communities of Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb. Each account follows a similar pattern: a messenger calls his people to worship the one God, is met with denial and arrogance, and the outcome affirms the truth of the message. This repetition reinforces the theme that the prophetic call is one across history. The surah concludes by affirming the divine origin of the revelation and contrasting it with the aimless speech of the poets, from which it takes its name.
Surah number
26
Revelation
Meccan
Ayahs
227
Arabic
الشعراء

Read Surah Ash-Shu'ara online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • Consolation of the Prophet amid rejection
  • The story of Moses and Pharaoh
  • Narratives of earlier messengers
  • The recurring pattern of call and denial
  • The unity and truth of revelation
  • Distinguishing revelation from the words of poets

Why this surah matters

Ash-Shu'ara is notable for its sustained sequence of prophetic stories told in a rhythmic, repeating pattern that many Muslims find memorable and instructive, reinforcing the continuity of the prophetic message. Its closing verses, which distinguish divine revelation from the speech of poets, respond to a criticism leveled at the Prophet and give the surah its name. The chapter is valued for its narrative power and its moral lessons drawn from the fates of earlier communities. Many readers turn to it for reflection on patience, sincerity, and the consequences of arrogance before God.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the surah called "The Poets"?

The name comes from its closing passage, which distinguishes the divine revelation from the aimless speech of poets, responding to those who dismissed the Prophet's message as mere poetry.

Which prophets' stories does Ash-Shu'ara contain?

It recounts episodes involving Moses and Pharaoh, as well as Abraham, Noah, and the messengers Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb, each following a similar pattern of call and rejection.

Is Surah Ash-Shu'ara Meccan or Medinan?

It is a Meccan surah and one of the longer chapters of the Quran, with 227 ayahs focused on prophetic narratives and the truth of revelation.

Read Surah Ash-Shu'ara

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