Surah Ash-Sharh (Inshirah) in Arabic with Translation and Transliteration

Table of Contents

Surah Ash-Sharh, also known as Surah Al-Inshirah or The Relief, is the ninety-fourth chapter of the Quran. It is a short but powerful surah that contains only eight verses, yet it carries profound spiritual and moral lessons for Muslims. In this blog post, we will explore the overview, content, and virtues of Surah Ash-Sharh in detail.

Surah Ash-Sharh is a Meccan surah, which means it was revealed in the early years of Prophet Muhammad's mission, before the migration to Medina. Meccan surahs often focus on foundational aspects of faith and provide spiritual guidance to the Prophet and his followers during a time of persecution and adversity. Surah Ash-Sharh is no exception, as it imparts valuable lessons about patience, gratitude, and reliance on Allah during difficult times.

Content of Surah Ash-Sharh

1. Opening Expression of Relief: The surah begins with the Arabic words "Alam Nashrah laka sadrak" which can be translated as "Did We not expand for you, [O Muhammad], your breast?" This verse immediately conveys a sense of comfort and relief to the Prophet, assuring him that Allah is with him, and that his burden will be eased.
2. Trials and Ease: The second verse continues, "And We removed from you your burden, which had weighed upon your back." This verse alludes to the trials and challenges that the Prophet faced during his mission. It signifies that Allah lightened his load and made his task easier.
3. Prayer for Guidance: In verse three, the surah highlights the importance of turning to Allah in prayer during times of difficulty. It says, "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease." This verse encourages patience and reliance on Allah's wisdom, emphasizing that ease follows hardship.
4. The Comprehensive Goodness: The fourth verse speaks of the comprehensive goodness that comes from Allah. It states, "Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease." This repetition reinforces the message that no matter how challenging life may become, Allah's mercy and relief are always near.
5. Duty of Gratitude: The fifth verse emphasizes the duty of gratitude to Allah. It says, "So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]." After being relieved from difficulties, one should express gratitude through worship and devotion.
6. Prophet's Upright Character: In verse six, the surah praises the character of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It says, "And to your Lord direct [your] longing." This verse reminds the Prophet to maintain his unwavering commitment to Allah and his mission.
7. The Benevolence of Allah: The seventh verse reinforces Allah's benevolence and generosity. It states, "For indeed, your Lord is the Knowing Creator." Allah is described as the all-knowing and all-creating, highlighting His infinite wisdom and power.
8. Conclusion and Reminder: The final verse, verse eight, serves as a concluding reminder of the central message of the surah. It says, "And We will ease you toward ease." This verse reiterates the promise of ease after hardship, providing comfort and encouragement to the Prophet and all believers.

Virtues of Surah Ash-Sharh

Surah Ash-Sharh holds a special place in Islamic tradition due to its powerful message and comforting words. Here are some of its virtues and benefits:

1. Relief from Distress: Reciting this surah during times of distress and anxiety can provide a sense of relief and calmness. Muslims believe that Allah's promise of ease after hardship is a source of hope and solace.
2. Increase in Patience and Gratitude: Surah Ash-Sharh encourages believers to be patient during difficult moments and express gratitude when times improve. It serves as a reminder of these essential virtues.
3. Spiritual Connection: Reading this surah strengthens the spiritual connection between the individual and Allah. It reminds believers to turn to Allah in prayer and rely on His guidance.
4. Reminder of Allah's Attributes: The surah highlights Allah's attributes, such as His knowledge, creativity, and benevolence, helping believers deepen their understanding of the Divine.
5. Ease in Understanding: Surah Ash-Sharh is relatively short and easy to memorize, making it accessible for Muslims of all ages. Its brevity allows for frequent recitation and reflection.
6. Protection from Hardship: Many Muslims believe that reciting Surah Ash-Sharh regularly can serve as a form of protection from trials and difficulties, as it reinforces the idea that Allah's relief follows hardship.

Surah Ash-Sharh, with its concise yet profound message, offers guidance and solace to Muslims facing challenges in their lives. It reminds believers of the importance of patience, gratitude, and reliance on Allah during difficult times. By understanding its content and virtues, individuals can find strength and comfort in the words of this surah, knowing that ease follows hardship and that Allah is always there to guide and support them.

If you want to listen to the recitation of Surah Ash-Sharh, please watch the video below:

If you want to read Surah Ash-Sharh, please read below:

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

 

Yusuf Ali:
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

Abul Ala Maududi:
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Muhsin Khan:
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

Pickthall:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Dr. Ghali:
In The Name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful

Abdul Haleem:
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy!

Muhammad Junagarhi:
شروع کرتا ہوں اللہ تعالیٰ کے نام سے جو بڑا مہربان نہایت رحم واﻻ ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
अल्लाह के नाम से जो रहमान व रहीम है।

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dengan nama Allah, Yang Maha Pemurah, lagi Maha Mengasihani.

أَلَمۡ نَشۡرَحۡ لَكَ صَدۡرَكَ

1.    Alam nashrah laka sadrak

Did We not expand for you, [O Muhammad], your breast?

 

Yusuf Ali:
Have We not expanded thee thy breast?-

Abul Ala Maududi:
(O Prophet), Did We not lay open your breast

Muhsin Khan:
Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))?

Pickthall:
Have We not caused thy bosom to dilate,

Dr. Ghali:
Have We not expanded your breast for you,

Abdul Haleem:
Did We not relieve your heart for you [Prophet],

Muhammad Junagarhi:
کیا ہم نے تیرا سینہ نہیں کھول دیا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
(ऐ रसूल) क्या हमने तुम्हारा सीना इल्म से कुशादा नहीं कर दिया (जरूर किया)

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Bukankah Kami telah melapangkan bagimu: dadamu (wahai Muhammad serta mengisinya dengan iman dan hidayah petunjuk) ?

وَوَضَعۡنَا عَنكَ وِزۡرَكَ

2.    Wa wa d’ana ‘anka wizrak
And We removed from you your burden

 

Yusuf Ali:
And removed from thee thy burden

Abul Ala Maududi:
and relieve you of the burden

Muhsin Khan:
And removed from you your burden,

Pickthall:
And eased thee of the burden

Dr. Ghali:
And laid aside from you your encumbrance.

Abdul Haleem:
and remove the burden

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور تجھ پر سے تیرا بوجھ ہم نے اتار دیا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और तुम पर से वह बोझ उतार दिया

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan Kami telah meringankan daripadamu: bebanmu (menyiarkan Islam) –

ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهۡرَكَ

3.    Allazee anqada zahrak
Which had weighed upon your back

 

Yusuf Ali:
The which did gall thy back?-

Abul Ala Maududi:
that had well-nigh broken your back?

Muhsin Khan:
Which weighed down your back?

Pickthall:
Which weighed down thy back;

Dr. Ghali:
Which weighed down your back,

Abdul Haleem:
that weighed so heavily on your back,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
جس نے تیری پیٹھ توڑ دی تھی

Suhel Farooq Khan:
जिसने तुम्हारी कमर तोड़ रखी थी

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Yang memberati tanggunganmu, (dengan memberikan berbagai kemudahan dalam melaksanakannya)?

وَرَفَعۡنَا لَكَ ذِكۡرَكَ

4.    Wa raf ‘ana laka zikrak
And raised high for you your repute.

 

Yusuf Ali:
And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (art held)?

Abul Ala Maududi:
And did We not exalt your fame?

Muhsin Khan:
And raised high your fame?

Pickthall:
And exalted thy fame?

Dr. Ghali:
And did We not raise for you your remembrance?

Abdul Haleem:
and raise your reputation high?

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور ہمنے تیرا ذکر بلند کر دیا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और तुम्हारा ज़िक्र भी बुलन्द कर दिया

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan Kami telah meninggikan bagimu: sebutan namamu (dengan mengurniakan pangkat Nabi dan berbagai kemuliaan)?

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرًا

5.    Fa inna ma’al usri yusra
For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

 

Yusuf Ali:
So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief:

Abul Ala Maududi:
Indeed, there is ease with hardship.

Muhsin Khan:
So verily, with the hardship, there is relief,

Pickthall:
But lo! with hardship goeth ease,

Dr. Ghali:
So surely with difficulty comes ease,

Abdul Haleem:
So truly where there is hardship there is also ease;

Muhammad Junagarhi:
پس یقیناً مشکل کے ساتھ آسانی ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
तो (हाँ) पस बेशक दुशवारी के साथ ही आसानी है

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Oleh itu, maka (tetapkanlah kepercayaanmu) bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disertai kemudahan,

إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرٗا

6.    Inna ma’al ‘usri yusra
Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

 

Yusuf Ali:
Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.

Abul Ala Maududi:
Most certainly, there is ease with hardship.

Muhsin Khan:
Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).

Pickthall:
Lo! with hardship goeth ease;

Dr. Ghali:
Surely with difficulty comes ease.

Abdul Haleem:
truly where there is hardship there is also ease.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
بیشک مشکل کے ساتھ آسانی ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
यक़ीनन दुश्वारी के साथ आसानी है

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
(Sekali lagi ditegaskan): bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disertai kemudahan.

فَإِذَا فَرَغۡتَ فَٱنصَبۡ

7.    Fa iza faragh ta fansab
So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].

 

Yusuf Ali:
Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard,

Abul Ala Maududi:
So, whenever you are free, strive in devotion,

Muhsin Khan:
So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah’s worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).

Pickthall:
So when thou art relieved, still toil

Dr. Ghali:
So when you are at leisure, (i.e., not o) then labor,

Abdul Haleem:
The moment you are freed [of one task] work on,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
پس جب تو فارغ ہو تو عبادت میں محنت کر

Suhel Farooq Khan:
तो जब तुम फारिग़ हो जाओ तो मुक़र्रर कर दो

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Kemudian apabila engkau telah selesai (daripada sesuatu amal soleh), maka bersungguh-sungguhlah engkau berusaha (mengerjakan amal soleh yang lain),

وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرۡغَب

8.    Wa ilaa rabbika far ghab
And to your Lord direct [your] longing.