Surah Quraysh (Quraysh)

Quraysh takes its name from the leading tribe of Mecca, the Quraysh, whom the surah directly addresses.

Surah Quraysh is the 106th chapter of the Quran, a short Meccan surah of four ayahs. It addresses the Quraysh, the dominant tribe of Mecca and custodians of the sacred House, reminding them of the security and prosperity they enjoyed. The surah refers to their accustomed trading caravans, the journeys of winter and summer that sustained their commerce, and calls on them to respond with gratitude by worshipping the Lord of this House — the God of the Kaaba — who provided them food against hunger and safety against fear. In doing so it turns their material advantages into an argument for devotion, reasoning that the One who granted such blessings is the One deserving of their worship. Thematically it is closely connected with the preceding surah about the elephant, since the protection of Mecca and its sanctuary underlies the security the Quraysh are reminded to be thankful for.

Surah number: 106
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 4
Arabic: قريش

Read Surah Quraysh online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Address to the tribe of Quraysh
The trading journeys of winter and summer
Gratitude for provision and security
Worship owed to the Lord of the Sacred House
Protection from hunger and from fear
Blessings as grounds for devotion

Why this surah matters

Surah Quraysh is well known for the way it grounds a call to worship in the everyday blessings of provision and safety enjoyed by the people of Mecca. It is frequently paired with the surah of the elephant, since the security of the sanctuary that made Quraysh's trade possible is understood against that backdrop; some scholars have even discussed the close link between the two. Short and memorable, it is widely recited in prayer and taught early to learners. Many read it as a reminder that safety and sustenance are gifts calling for gratitude and devotion.

Frequently asked questions

Is Surah Quraysh Meccan or Medinan?

It is commonly held to be Meccan. This is the mainstream classification, fitting its direct address to the Meccan tribe of Quraysh and the concerns of that setting.

What are the journeys mentioned in Surah Quraysh?

They refer to the Quraysh's customary trading caravans, traditionally described as a winter journey and a summer journey, which supported the commerce and prosperity of Mecca.

Why is Surah Quraysh often linked with Surah Al-Fil?

The security that allowed Quraysh's trade is connected to the protection of Mecca recalled in the preceding surah about the elephant, so the two are commonly read together thematically.

Read Surah Quraysh

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