Surah Sad (The Letter "Saad")

Sad is named after the single Arabic letter (one of the "disjointed letters") that opens the surah; its precise meaning is not definitively known and it is left unexplained in tradition.

Surah Sad is the thirty-eighth chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 88 ayahs that opens with the solitary disjointed letter after which it is named. Revealed during the Meccan period, it responds to the rejection and mockery the Prophet Muhammad faced, affirming the Quran as a reminder and warning the arrogant who resist the call to monotheism. Much of the surah recounts accounts of earlier prophets as examples of patience and devotion, including Dawud (David) and his sound judgment, Sulayman (Solomon) and his kingship, and the steadfast endurance of Ayyub (Job) through affliction. It also recalls Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Ismail, and others as servants of remarkable resolve. The surah closes with the account of the creation of Adam and the refusal of Iblis to prostrate out of pride, framing arrogance as the root of rejection, and contrasts the destinies of the God-conscious and the defiant in the Hereafter.

Surah number: 38
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 88
Arabic: ص

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

Main themes

The Quran as a reminder and the rejection faced by the Prophet in Mecca
Arrogance and pride as the root of disbelief
The prophethood, judgment, and devotion of Dawud (David)
The kingdom and turning to God of Sulayman (Solomon)
The patient endurance of Ayyub (Job) through trial
The refusal of Iblis to prostrate to Adam, and the final reckoning

Why this surah matters

Surah Sad is one of the Meccan chapters that combines vivid prophetic narratives with consolation for the Prophet Muhammad amid opposition. It is well known for its portraits of Dawud, Sulayman, and Ayyub as models of devotion and patience, and for its closing account of Iblis's pride, which tradition treats as a lesson on the dangers of arrogance. It contains a verse of prostration (sajdah), which many Muslims traditionally observe during recitation. The surah's emphasis on remembrance and steadfastness gives it an enduring place in reflection on hardship.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sad mean?

Sad is a single Arabic letter, one of the "disjointed letters" (huruf muqatta'at) that open several surahs. Its meaning is not definitively established, and tradition generally leaves it unexplained; the surah is simply named after this opening letter.

Is Surah Sad Meccan or Medinan?

It is commonly held to be Meccan, revealed during the period of the Prophet Muhammad's mission in Mecca. Its themes of responding to rejection and drawing lessons from earlier prophets reflect that context.

Which prophets are mentioned in Surah Sad?

It recalls Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), and Ayyub (Job) at length, and mentions Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Ismail, and others as devoted servants, along with the account of Adam and Iblis.

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