Az-Zumar, "The Groups," is the thirty-ninth surah — 75 verses revealed in Mecca.1 It takes its name from its final scene, in which people are driven "in groups" — some to Hell, some to Paradise — and its constant theme is worship offered to God sincerely, with nothing standing in between.
What it is about
The surah addresses people who believed in God but approached Him through idols: "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Its answer comes first: "Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion."2 Worship, it insists, is owed directly and only to God. Around this it gathers images of devotion, of the Quran's effect on the heart, of death and sleep, and of the Day when the whole earth will be "within His grip."
Key themes
Knowledge and devotion. "Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'" And: "the patient will be given their reward without account."3
The effect of the Quran. "Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah."4
One master or many. The surah gives a parable: a slave owned by quarreling partners, and another belonging to a single man — "are they equal in comparison?"5
Sleep and death. "Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term."6
Do not despair. At the surah's heart is one of the Quran's most beloved verses: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" The next verse gives the path: "return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you."7
God's majesty. "They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand." The Horn is blown, and "the earth will shine with the light of its Lord."8
The groups. The deniers are driven to Hell in groups; those who feared their Lord are driven to Paradise in groups, and its keepers say: "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein."9
Why it matters
Az-Zumar is a sustained call to ikhlas — sincere, undivided devotion to God — and a warning against turning to intermediaries in worship. Its verse 39:53 is among the most hopeful in the Quran on repentance: no sin is too great for a person who turns back to God. To read Az-Zumar in Arabic with translations and recitation, open it on Quran.com.