Surah An Naba Transliteration in English: Full 40 Verses

Surah An Naba (The Tidings) is the 78th chapter of the Quran. It has 40 verses, was revealed in Makkah, and opens Juz 30 (Juz Amma). It is about the certainty of resurrection, the signs of Allah in creation, and the outcome of human deeds.

Read the full surah below with the Arabic text, the transliteration in Roman letters, and a simple English meaning for every verse.

Surah An Naba at a Glance

• Arabic name: سورة النبأ
• Meaning: The Tidings, or The Great News
• Chapter number: 78
• Verses: 40
• Juz: 30 (Juz Amma)
• Revelation: Makkah
• Main theme: Resurrection, accountability, and the Hereafter
• Previous and next surah: Al Mursalat (77) and An Nazi’at (79)

Listen to Surah An Naba Audio Recitation

Listening to Surah An Naba while reading its Arabic text and English transliteration can help you recognise words, practise pronunciation, and become familiar with the rhythm of Quranic recitation.

Quran.com provides audio recitations from different reciters, including Maher Al-Muaiqly and Abdul Basit. Open the page, select the Listen option, and choose a reciter to hear the surah.

For better practice, follow these simple steps:

1. Listen carefully to one verse while following the Arabic text.
2. Read the English transliteration and repeat the verse aloud.
3. Listen again and compare your pronunciation with the reciter.
4. Continue verse by verse, revisiting difficult words before moving forward.

Remember that transliteration is only a learning aid. Listening to a reliable reciter and learn

Full Surah An Naba: Arabic, Transliteration and Meaning

Long vowels are written as aa, ee, and oo, while an apostrophe (‘) represents an approximate Arabic ‘ain or hamza sound. The spellings dh and th help distinguish certain Arabic consonants. Transliteration only approximates Arabic sounds, so listen to a reciter as you read. The meanings are simplified and are not a replacement for a scholarly translation.

Bismillah

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

Meaning: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Bismillah is recited before the surah but is not counted among its 40 verses.

Verses 1–5: The Great News

عَمَّ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ

1. ‘Amma yatasaa’aloon.

Meaning: What are they asking one another about?

عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ

2. ‘Anin-naba’il-‘azeem.

Meaning: About the great news,

الَّذِي هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ

3. Alladhee hum feehi mukhtalifoon.

Meaning: the news over which they disagree.

كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ

4. Kallaa saya’lamoon.

Meaning: No! They will soon come to know.

ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ

5. Thumma kallaa saya’lamoon.

Meaning: Again, no! They will certainly come to know.

The surah opens with a question about the great news people argue over, and the repeated “No! They will come to know” is the answer.

Verses 6–16: Signs in Creation

أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ مِهَادًا

6. Alam naj’alil-arda mihaadaa.

Meaning: Have We not made the earth a resting place?

وَالْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا

7. Wal-jibaala awtaadaa.

Meaning: And the mountains as stakes?

وَخَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا

8. Wa khalaqnaakum azwaajaa.

Meaning: And created you in pairs?

وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا

9. Wa ja’alnaa nawmakum subaataa.

Meaning: And made your sleep a means of rest?

وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا

10. Wa ja’alnal-layla libaasaa.

Meaning: And made the night a covering?

وَجَعَلْنَا النَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا

11. Wa ja’alnan-nahaara ma’aashaa.

Meaning: And made the day a time for earning a livelihood?

وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا

12. Wa banaynaa fawqakum sab’an shidaadaa.

Meaning: And built above you seven strong heavens?

وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا

13. Wa ja’alnaa siraajan wahhaajaa.

Meaning: And placed a blazing lamp [the sun] there?

وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْمُعْصِرَاتِ مَاءً ثَجَّاجًا

14. Wa anzalnaa minal-mu’siraati maa’an thajjaajaa.

Meaning: And sent down pouring water from the rain clouds,

لِّنُخْرِجَ بِهِ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا

15. Linukhrija bihee habbanw wa nabaataa.

Meaning: so that We bring forth grain and plants with it,

وَجَنَّاتٍ أَلْفَافًا

16. Wa jannaatin alfaafaa.

Meaning: and gardens of dense, entwined growth?

Allah points to what we live with every day: the earth, the mountains, sleep, night and day, the sun, and rain that grows crops. The One who sustains the world is also able to bring people back to life.

Verses 17–20: The Day of Decision

إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْفَصْلِ كَانَ مِيقَاتًا

17. Inna yawmal-fasli kaana meeqaataa.

Meaning: Indeed, the Day of Decision is an appointed time:

يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا

18. Yawma yunfakhu fis-soori fata’toona afwaajaa.

Meaning: the Day the Horn is blown and you come forth in crowds,

وَفُتِحَتِ السَّمَاءُ فَكَانَتْ أَبْوَابًا

19. Wa futihatis-samaa’u fakaanat abwaabaa.

Meaning: and the sky is opened and becomes gateways,

وَسُيِّرَتِ الْجِبَالُ فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا

20. Wa suyyiratil-jibaalu fakaanat saraabaa.

Meaning: and the mountains are set in motion and become a mirage.

The surah moves from the present world to the Last Day, when even the mountains will no longer stand as they do now.

Verses 21–30: The Outcome of Denial

إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا

21. Inna jahannama kaanat mirsaadaa.

Meaning: Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait,

لِّلطَّاغِينَ مَآبًا

22. Lit-taagheena ma’aabaa.

Meaning: a place of return for the transgressors,

لَّابِثِينَ فِيهَا أَحْقَابًا

23. Laabitheena feehaa ahqaabaa.

Meaning: where they will remain for ages.

لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا

24. Laa yadhooqoona feehaa bardanw wa laa sharaabaa.

Meaning: They will taste no coolness or drink there,

إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا

25. Illaa hameemanw wa ghassaaqaa.

Meaning: only scalding water and foul fluid,

جَزَاءً وِفَاقًا

26. Jazaa’anw wifaaqaa.

Meaning: a recompense that fits what they did.

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا

27. Innahum kaanoo laa yarjoona hisaabaa.

Meaning: They never expected to be called to account,

وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا كِذَّابًا

28. Wa kadhdhaboo bi-aayaatinaa kidhdhaabaa.

Meaning: and they flatly denied Our signs.

وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَاهُ كِتَابًا

29. Wa kulla shay’in ahsaynaahu kitaabaa.

Meaning: But We have recorded everything in writing.

فَذُوقُوا فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

30. Fadhooqoo falan nazeedakum illaa ‘adhaabaa.

Meaning: So taste it, for We will increase you in nothing but torment.

These verses warn that Hell is lying in wait for transgressors, that the recompense fits their deeds, and that everything is recorded.

Verses 31–40: Paradise and the Final Reminder

إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا

31. Inna lil-muttaqeena mafaazaa.

Meaning: Indeed, the righteous will have success:

حَدَائِقَ وَأَعْنَابًا

32. Hadaa’iqa wa a’naabaa.

Meaning: gardens and grapevines,

وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا

33. Wa kawaa’iba atraabaa.

Meaning: youthful companions of equal age,

وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا

34. Wa ka’san dihaaqaa.

Meaning: and a full cup.

لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا كِذَّابًا

35. Laa yasma’oona feehaa laghwanw wa laa kidhdhaabaa.

Meaning: There they will hear no idle talk and no lies,

جَزَاءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَاءً حِسَابًا

36. Jazaa’am mir-rabbika ‘ataa’an hisaabaa.

Meaning: a reward from your Lord, a generous gift that is fitting.

رَّبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا الرَّحْمَٰنِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا

37. Rabbis-samaawaati wal-ardi wa maa baynahumar-Rahmaani laa yamlikoona minhu khitaabaa.

Meaning: [He is] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, the Most Merciful. None has any authority to address Him.

يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الرُّوحُ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ صَفًّا ۖ لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًا

38. Yawma yaqoomur-roohu wal-malaa’ikatu saffan laa yatakallamoona illaa man adhina lahur-Rahmaanu wa qaala sawaabaa.

Meaning: On the Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in rows, none will speak except one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say only what is right.

ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ مَآبًا

39. Dhaalikal-yawmul-haqqu faman shaa’a ittakhadha ilaa rabbihee ma’aabaa.

Meaning: That is the Day of Truth. So whoever wishes may take a path back to his Lord.

إِنَّا أَنذَرْنَاكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ الْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ الْكَافِرُ يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنتُ تُرَابًا

40. Innaa andharnakum ‘adhaaban qareeban yawma yanzurul-mar’u maa qaddamat yadaahu wa yaqoolul-kaafiru yaa laytanee kuntu turaabaa.

Meaning: We have warned you of a punishment that is near, the Day when a person will see what his hands have sent forward, and the disbeliever will say, “If only I were dust!”

The surah ends with the success of the righteous, the Day of Truth, and a warning that every person will see what they have sent forward. The last verse turns attention to our own deeds, which makes this life the time to repent and choose better.

What Is the Main Message of Surah An Naba?

Surah An Naba teaches that resurrection and the Day of Judgement are certain, and that every person will be accountable for their actions. Through descriptions of creation, judgement, punishment, and Paradise, the surah encourages readers to reflect on Allah’s power and prepare for the Hereafter.

Its main messages can be understood through five connected themes.

1. Resurrection and the Day of Judgement Are Certain

The opening verses (1–5) introduce the “great news” that people disagree about. Most classical commentators explain this as the resurrection and the Day of Judgement, although some interpretations also connect the great news with the Quran.

The repeated warning that people “will come to know” emphasises that the truth of the Hereafter will eventually become clear. The surah reminds readers that life does not end with death and that everyone will face a final reckoning.

2. Creation Shows Allah’s Power

Verses 6–16 describe the earth, mountains, sleep, night and day, the sun, rain, and growing plants.

These everyday blessings are presented as signs of Allah’s power and wisdom. The One who created the world and sustains life is also capable of bringing people back to life after death.

The message encourages readers to look at familiar parts of creation with greater awareness and gratitude.

3. The Day of Decision Has an Appointed Time

Verses 17–20 explain that the Day of Decision will take place at an appointed time. The surah describes the blowing of the Trumpet, people gathering in crowds, the opening of the sky, and mountains becoming like a mirage.

These powerful images remind readers that the present world is temporary. Even things that appear permanent will change when the Day of Judgement arrives.

4. Every Action Will Be Accounted For

Verses 21–30 describe the consequences of denial and wrongdoing. The surah explains that those who reject accountability will face the results of their actions.

Verse 29 is especially important because it states that everything has been recorded.

This reminds readers that no deed is forgotten. The choices people make during their lives matter, and every person is responsible for what they do.

5. The Righteous Will Receive Their Reward

Verses 31–40 contrast the earlier warnings with the success awaiting those who are mindful of Allah.

The surah describes Paradise with gardens, abundance, companionship, and freedom from false or meaningless speech. These descriptions offer hope and show Allah’s generosity towards the righteous.

The final verse returns to personal responsibility. It reminds readers that they will see what their own hands have done.

Together, these teachings encourage faith, gratitude, accountability, repentance, and preparation for the Hereafter.

How to Read Surah An Naba Transliteration Correctly

• Long vowels: aa, ee, and oo mean the sound is stretched, as in Kallaa and feehi. How long depends on the Tajweed rules.
• Throat and back-of-mouth sounds: kh stands for خ and gh for غ. These need practice, and the letter z covers more than one Arabic letter, so a teacher can correct you.
• Listen and repeat: play one verse from a reliable reciter, follow the Arabic, read the transliteration, then repeat it aloud. Notice where the reciter pauses and which syllables stretch.

How to Memorise Surah An Naba

Surah An Naba has 40 verses, so you can split it into small sessions. Learn verses 1 to 5 while listening to a reciter, repeat them until you can say them without looking, then move on in groups of about five. Revise old verses before adding new ones, and slow down for the longer verses near the end. Knowing the meaning helps too, since the surah moves in a clear order from the great news to creation, judgement, punishment, and Paradise.

Conclusion

Surah An Naba is a short, powerful reminder that the Day of Judgement is real and that our deeds will be shown to us. Read it with the Arabic beside the transliteration, learn what it means, and let its last verse push you to prepare for the Hereafter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read next: Surah Al-Mulk Transliteration in English, Surah Al-Waqiah in English, Surah Ya-Sin in English, and Surah Ar-Rahman in English.