Surah Al-Jinn 72:1
سُورَةُ الجِنِّ · Meccan · Verse 1 of 28
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْءَانًا عَجَبًۭا
Translation
Say [Prophet], ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn once listened in and said, “We have heard a wondrous Quran,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Divine Command
The opening word of the surah, Qul (Say), is a direct and emphatic command from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Ibn Ashur explains that this signals an extraordinary and significant event that is about to be disclosed. It is not just information, but a message that the Prophet is explicitly instructed to deliver, serving to honor him and underscore the profound importance of the Quran itself.
A Hidden Revelation
The phrase "Uhiya ilayya" (It was revealed to me) clarifies that the Prophet only learned of this remarkable incident through divine revelation. He did not witness the event firsthand. Following this is "annahu istama'a" (that indeed a group listened). The word "annahu" uses a grammatical construction known as "ḍamīr al-sha'n" (the pronoun of the matter or affair). This impersonal pronoun has no specific subject, serving to highlight the immense gravity and unusual nature of the news that is to follow, essentially saying, "The situation is this: a group of jinn listened."
The Jinn's Profound Declaration
The verse continues with the jinn's reaction: "faqālū innā sami'nā Qur'ānan 'ajabā" (so they said, "Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Quran"). The word "faqālū" (so they said) might refer to their method of conveying their thoughts, which may differ from human speech, as Ibn Ashur suggests, possibly through internal reflection or communicating amongst themselves. Their statement begins with "innā" (indeed we), a particle that adds strong emphasis and certainty, reflecting their conviction and perhaps aiming to persuade others among them, as al-Razi notes. They describe the Quran as "'ajabā" (wondrous). This isn't merely "good"; as al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi highlight, it's a verbal noun used as an adjective, conveying hyperbole and intense amazement. It means the Quran is so exceptional in its eloquence, profound meanings, and miraculous nature that it evokes deep wonder.
An Unwavering Commitment
Although appearing in the following verse, their declaration concludes with "wa lan nushrika biRabbina ahadan" (and we will never associate partners with our Lord). The particle "lan" conveys an absolute and permanent negation for the future. This emphasizes their complete and irrevocable commitment to the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid). Al-Razi points out that this strong denial of future polytheism suggests they may have been involved in such practices before, but the Quran's power led them to an unshakeable faith. The precise wording of this initial encounter reveals how the Quran's impact transcends human perception, reaching even unseen beings and transforming their beliefs with definitive clarity.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Jinn 72:1 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
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