Sūrah Az-Zukhruf The Ornaments of Gold
الزخرف
89 verses, Makkī. Fourth Ḥawāmīm. The Qurʾān as a clear scripture in Arabic from the preserved tablet. The wealth and ornaments of this world as a fleeting test. The story of Ibrāhīm ﷺ opposing his father's idolatry. ʿĪsā ﷺ as a sign and servant not son of Allah. The believers in Paradise served on golden trays.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
ʿĪsā ﷺ as a servant and sign (43:57–65): When the Prophet ﷺ mentioned ʿĪsā, the Quraysh mockingly said "Our gods are better than your god you worship a man too!" The surah corrects: ʿĪsā was a servant upon whom Allah bestowed favour, made him an example for the Children of Israel. "He is only a servant whom We favoured and made an example for the Children of Israel." Ibn Kathīr: ʿĪsā was created without a father by divine command not divinity, but a sign of Allah's power.
The logic of following forefathers (43:22–24): The Quraysh said: "We found our fathers following a religion and we are guided by their footsteps." Allah responds: "Even though I bring you better guidance than what you found your fathers following?" Ibn Kathīr: blind following of ancestors is condemned when it contradicts revelation tradition cannot override truth.
- The travelling duʿāʾ (43:13–14): "Glory be to the One who subjected this for us we were not capable of it. And indeed to our Lord we will return." Ibn Kathīr: this duʿāʾ is recommended when mounting any vehicle the Sunnah includes it for all travel.
- Gold as decoration of the lowest world (43:33–35): Allah says He would have given the houses of the disbelievers gold roofs and gold stairways but that would make people think wealth equals honour. Instead gold is for the hereafter. Ibn Kathīr: gold is the decoration of the lowest realm believers are too noble for it to be their prize.
- Do not grieve over them (43:88–89): "His saying: Oh my Lord these are a people who do not believe. Then overlook them and say: Peace they will soon come to know." Ibn Kathīr: the Prophet's grief for his people answered by Allah's command to patience, not anger.
- Ibrāhīm ﷺ as a permanent model (43:28): "He made it a word remaining among his descendants that they might return." The declaration of monotheism that Ibrāhīm ﷺ established passed through generations the Arabs traced themselves to him.
- No friendship in the hereafter except the God-fearing (43:67): "Close friends that Day will be enemies to one another except the righteous." Ibn Kathīr: worldly friendships based on sin become mutual regret on the Day of Judgement; only friendships in taqwā survive.