Surah Ad-Duha: meaning, story and comfort
Surah Ad-Duha is 11 verses of comfort, revealed when the Prophet ﷺ felt alone: “Your Lord has not abandoned you.” Here it is in Arabic with its meaning, the story behind it, and why so many turn to it in difficult times.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Surah Ad-Duha in Arabic and English
وَٱلضُّحَىٰ ﴿١﴾ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ ﴿٢﴾ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَلْءَاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ﴿٤﴾ وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰٓ ﴿٥﴾ أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًۭا فَـَٔاوَىٰ ﴿٦﴾ وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلًّۭا فَهَدَىٰ ﴿٧﴾ وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلًۭا فَأَغْنَىٰ ﴿٨﴾ فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ ﴿٩﴾ وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ ﴿١٠﴾ وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ ﴿١١﴾
Three reassurances, three favours, three duties
| Verses | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | Reassurance: Allah has not left you; what comes later is better; He will give until you are content. |
| 6–8 | Remembering past favours: orphaned and sheltered, searching and guided, in need and provided for. |
| 9–11 | Duties in return: care for orphans, be gentle with those who ask, and speak of Allah’s blessings. |
Reading it in hard times
The pattern of the surah, light after darkness and help after hardship, continues in the next surah, Ash-Sharh: “indeed, with hardship comes ease” (94:5–6). For du‘as to say alongside it, see dua for anxiety and tawakkul. Ad-Duha is part of Juz Amma and short enough to memorise in a week or two.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Surah Ad-Duha revealed?
Revelation paused for a time and the Prophet ﷺ was grieved; a woman taunted that his Lord had abandoned him. Ad-Duha was revealed in reply (Sahih al-Bukhari 4950).
What does “ad-Duha” mean?
The late morning, when the sun is high. The surah opens by swearing by the morning light and the stillness of night: after darkness comes light.
Is Surah Ad-Duha good for sadness?
Many Muslims turn to it in hard times because it was revealed to comfort the Prophet ﷺ. It reminds the reader that Allah has not left them and that the later is better than the first. It sits well alongside the du‘as in our dua for anxiety guide.
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