Surah Al-Insan explained for children, in pictures

The lessons

1. 
   1 · Verses 1–3

   Not yet anything

   A long time passed over man when he was nothing worth mentioning. Then Allah created him from a small drop of fluid to test him, gave him hearing and sight, and showed him the way of good and bad: he can be thankful or ungrateful.

2. 
   2 · Verses 4–6

   A spring for Allah's servants

   Allah has prepared chains, shackles and a blazing Fire for the disbelievers. But the righteous will drink a pure drink mixed with camphor, from a spring that Allah's servants drink from, making it flow wherever they wish.

3. 
   3 · Verses 7–10

   For Allah's sake

   The righteous keep their promises and fear the Day of Resurrection. They give food, though they love it themselves, to the poor, the orphan and the captive, saying: we feed you only for Allah's sake; we want no reward or thanks from you.

4. 
   4 · Verses 11–14

   A garden and silk

   So Allah protects them from the evil of that Day and gives them light in their faces and joy in their hearts. For their patience He rewards them with a garden and silk. They recline there on couches, with no burning sun and no cold; its shade is near and its fruit easy to pick.

5. 
   5 · Verses 15–18

   Salsabil

   Vessels of silver are passed around among them, and cups clear as glass made of silver, measured just as they wish. They are given a pure drink mixed with ginger, from a spring in Paradise named Salsabil.

6. 
   6 · Verses 19–22

   Scattered pearls

   Youths who stay forever young go around them; if you saw them you would think them scattered pearls. When you look there you see joy and a great kingdom. They wear green silk with silver bracelets, and their Lord gives them a pure drink. It is said: this is your reward.

7. 
   7 · Verses 23–26

   Remember your Lord's name

   We sent down the Quran to you, O Messenger. So be patient with your Lord's decision, and do not obey any sinner or ungrateful one among the idolaters. Remember the name of your Lord morning and evening, and in the night pray to Him and glorify Him long.

8. 
   8 · Verses 27–28

   They love the fleeting life

   These people love the quick life of this world and leave behind the work for the hard Day of Resurrection. We created them and made their bodies strong, and if We willed, We would bring other people in their place.

9. 
   9 · Verses 29–31

   Whoever wills

   This surah is a reminder, so whoever wills may take a path to his Lord. You cannot will anything unless Allah wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. He admits whom He wills into His mercy, and for the wrongdoers He has prepared a painful punishment.

Surah Al-Insan at a glance

Surah Al-Insan is a Madani surah with 31 verses; it is number 76 in the mushaf, in juz 29 (Juz Tabarak), and starts on page 578.

Order in the mushaf

76

Number of verses

31 verses

Makki or Madani

Madani (revealed in Madinah)

Juz

29 (Juz Tabarak)

Starts on page

578

What its name means

Al-Insan means Man, the human being Allah created from a drop: the surah opens with his creation, and it is also called Surah Ad-Dahr.

Classification, verse count and page numbers follow the Madinah Mushaf (Hafs from Asim, Kufi count).

Word meanings in Surah Al-Insan for kids

Meanings from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, in simple words.

حِينٌۭ

a long time (Verse 1)

ٱلدَّهْرِ

time (Verse 1)

نَّبْتَلِيهِ

to test him (Verse 2)

هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ

showed him the way (Verse 3)

كَفُورًا

ungrateful (Verse 3)

أَعْتَدْنَا

We have prepared (Verse 4)

ٱلْأَبْرَارَ

the righteous (Verse 5)

كَافُورًا

camphor, a sweet fragrance (Verse 5)

يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًۭا

make it flow wherever they wish (Verse 6)

بِٱلنَّذْرِ

their promises to Allah (Verse 7)

مُسْتَطِيرًۭا

widespread (Verse 7)

عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ

though they love it themselves (Verse 8)

وَأَسِيرًا

the captive (Verse 8)

لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ

for the sake of Allah (Verse 9)

عَبُوسًۭا

grim (Verse 10)

قَمْطَرِيرًۭا

distressful (Verse 10)

فَوَقَىٰهُمُ

so Allah protected them (Verse 11)

نَضْرَةًۭ

radiance (Verse 11)

ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ

adorned couches (Verse 13)

زَمْهَرِيرًۭا

bitter cold (Verse 13)

وَدَانِيَةً

and close (Verse 14)

وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًۭا

its fruit made easy to reach (Verse 14)

وَأَكْوَابٍۢ

cups (Verse 15)

قَوَارِيرَا۠

glass (Verse 15)

سَلْسَبِيلًۭا

a spring in Paradise, smooth to drink (Verse 18)

لُؤْلُؤًۭا مَّنثُورًۭا

scattered shining pearls (Verse 19)

عَٰلِيَهُمْ

upon them (Verse 21)

سُندُسٍ

fine silk (Verse 21)

وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌۭ

rich brocade (Verse 21)

أَسَاوِرَ

bracelets (Verse 21)

طَهُورًا

pure (Verse 21)

مَّشْكُورًا

appreciated (Verse 22)

بُكْرَةًۭ

morning (Verse 25)

وَأَصِيلًۭا

evening (Verse 25)

ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ

this fleeting world (Verse 27)

ثَقِيلًۭا

heavy (Verse 27)

وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ

made their frames strong (Verse 28)

Check your understanding of Surah Al-Insan: questions for kids

Read the question, think, then tap the answer you choose.

1. 1. Why did Allah make people able to hear and see?

   • AOnly to play
   • BTo test them and show them the way of good and evil
   • CFor no reason

2. 2. Who do the righteous feed even though they love the food?

   • ANo one
   • BOnly the rich
   • CThe poor, the orphan and the captive

3. 3. Why do the righteous feed people?

   • AFor Allah's sake, wanting no reward or thanks
   • BSo people thank them
   • CTo get money

4. 4. How did Allah reward their patience?

   • ATiredness
   • BA garden and silk
   • CNothing

5. 5. What is the spring in Paradise named in the surah?

   • AAl-Kawthar
   • BZamzam
   • CSalsabil

6. 6. When do we remember Allah's name, as the surah says?

   • AMorning and evening
   • BOnce a year
   • CNever

Questions parents ask

Surahs close to Surah Al-Insan

Surahs with a close idea, to carry the journey on.

• 

  Surah Al-Balad

  The steep path to Paradise: feed the hungry and be merciful

• 

  Surah Al-Fajr

  Wealth is a test; honour the orphan and be a soul at peace

• 

  Surah Ad-Duha

  Allah never leaves His servants; we thank Him and care for the orphan