Suwar Quran

Surah An-Naba explained for children, in pictures

The One who made the sky and the earth can bring us back on the Last Day

40 verses · 14 lessons · Juz Amma

Meaning from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, simplified for children. Reviewed by Sherif Alkady, 17 October 2026.

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The lessons

  1. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a vast night desert, every window of a small mud-brick village glowing toward one great star over the dunes
    1 · Verses 1–2

    The great news

    The disbelievers of Quraysh were asking each other about a very great piece of news: the Quran, which told them that Allah will raise people up after death. They doubted it and called it a lie.

  2. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: two desert paths splitting around rocks and meeting again at the horizon where the sun rises
    2 · Verses 3–5

    They disagreed about it

    The disbelievers of Quraysh disagreed about this news: some doubted it and some called it a lie. Allah tells them: it is not as you claim; on the Day of Resurrection they will know it is true, and then they will know it for certain.

  3. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a green valley and mountains at dawn, a cut-away showing each mountain with a deep root like a tent peg, a small tent held by pegs
    3 · Verses 6–7

    The earth and the mountains

    Allah made the earth spread out and level for us like a bed, so we can walk and live on it, and made the mountains firm like the pegs that hold a tent down, so the earth stays steady under us.

  4. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: pairs in a morning garden, two doves on a branch, two palms, two butterflies, two pomegranates
    4 · Verse 8

    In pairs

    Allah created us in kinds: male and female, each completing the other.

  5. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a cosy child's bedroom at night, a neatly made bed, a small glowing lantern, a crescent moon and stars through an arched window
    5 · Verse 9

    Sleep is rest

    Allah made sleep a rest for our bodies; we become calm and get our strength back for a new day.

  6. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a mud-brick town split in two, one half under a starry night with warm windows, the other under morning sun with a stall of date and fruit baskets
    6 · Verses 10–11

    Night and day

    Allah made the night cover us with its darkness like clothing covers the one who wears it, and made the day a time to work, learn and earn a living.

  7. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a clear dawn sky over quiet dunes, a large radiant sun rising like a lamp, its rays across the sand
    7 · Verses 12–13

    The sky and the lamp

    Allah built above us seven strong heavens with no cracks in them, and made the sun a blazing lamp that gives us light and warmth.

  8. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: grey clouds pouring rain over farmland, golden wheat, green grass, a thick orchard and a small stream below
    8 · Verses 14–16

    Rain and plants

    Allah sends down heavy rain from the clouds, and with it brings out the grains we eat, the plants animals eat, and gardens whose branches twist together.

  9. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: distant mountains dissolving into a mirage, tall doors of light opening in the sky, a golden horn-shaped cloud
    9 · Verses 17–20

    The Day of Decision

    The Day of Resurrection has a fixed time with Allah. On it the angel blows the trumpet, people rise from their graves and come in groups, the sky is opened, and the mountains are moved from their places until they are like a mirage.

  10. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a scorched barren valley under a dim red sky, a dark boiling spring with steam, cracked lifeless ground
    10 · Verses 21–26

    What awaits the wrongdoers

    Hell waits for those who crossed Allah's limits and disbelieved in Him. They stay in it age after age, finding no coolness and no good drink. This is a fair recompense that fits what they did.

  11. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a brass balance scale on a stone table weighing a feather against pebbles, a stack of closed books in candle light
    11 · Verses 27–30

    Why?

    Because they did not expect the Day of Account and did not work for it, and they firmly denied Allah's signs. And Allah has counted everything and written it in a book, so no deed is lost.

  12. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a lush terraced garden with heavy grape vines, a full cup on a stone table, small streams and fountains in golden light
    12 · Verses 31–36

    The victory of the God-fearing

    As for those who feared Allah and did good, theirs is a great victory: gardens and grapes, good company, and a delicious drink, where they hear no bad talk and no lies. All of this is a gift from Allah and a reward for their deeds.

  13. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: one tall scene from the roots of a great tree deep in the earth up through meadows and clouds to the stars
    13 · Verses 37–38

    Lord of the heavens

    He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, the Most Merciful. On that Day no one speaks except by His permission. Jibril and the angels stand in rows, and no one intercedes except one the Most Merciful allows, who speaks what is right.

  14. Paper-cut picture from Surah An-Naba: a trail of glowing footprints across dunes toward a rising sun, a small bundle at the start of the trail
    14 · Verses 39–40

    The true Day

    That Day is true; there is no doubt about it. So whoever wants to be saved should return to his Lord with good deeds. Allah has warned us of a punishment that is near, a Day when every person sees what his own hands sent ahead, and the disbeliever wishes he were dust.

Surah An-Naba at a glance

Surah An-Naba is a Makki surah with 40 verses; it is number 78 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 582.

Order in the mushaf
78
Number of verses
40 verses
Makki or Madani
Makki (revealed in Makkah)
Juz
30 (Juz Amma)
Starts on page
582
What its name means
An-Naba is the great news of the Day of Resurrection that people disagreed about: it is also called Surah Amma after its first word.

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

Word meanings in Surah An-Naba for kids

Meanings from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, in simple words.

يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
they ask one another (Verse 1)
ٱلنَّبَإِ
the news (Verse 2)
مِهَٰدًۭا
spread out like a bed (Verse 6)
أَوْتَادًۭا
firm anchors so the earth does not shake (Verse 7)
أَزْوَٰجًۭا
in pairs, male and female (Verse 8)
سُبَاتًۭا
rest for your bodies (Verse 9)
لِبَاسًۭا
covers you with its darkness like clothing (Verse 10)
مَعَاشًۭا
a time to work and earn a living (Verse 11)
شِدَادًۭا
strongly built (Verse 12)
سِرَاجًۭا وَهَّاجًۭا
the sun: a blazing, shining lamp (Verse 13)
ٱلْمُعْصِرَٰتِ
the rain clouds (Verse 14)
ثَجَّاجًۭا
pouring in abundance (Verse 14)
أَلْفَافًا
thick, with intertwined branches (Verse 16)
ٱلْفَصْلِ
judgement between all creation: the Day of Resurrection (Verse 17)
مِيقَٰتًۭا
a set, appointed time (Verse 17)
ٱلصُّورِ
the horn blown to announce the raising (Verse 18)
أَفْوَاجًۭا
in nations, each with its leader (Verse 18)
مَـَٔابًۭا
a place of return (Verse 22)
أَحْقَابًۭا
ages upon ages without end (Verse 23)
حَمِيمًۭا
scalding water (Verse 25)
وِفَاقًا
fitting their deeds (Verse 26)
مَفَازًا
success: entering Paradise (Verse 31)
حَدَآئِقَ
great gardens (Verse 32)
دِهَاقًۭا
full (Verse 34)
لَغْوًۭا
idle, false talk (Verse 35)
حِسَابًۭا
ample and sufficient (Verse 36)
ٱلرُّوحُ
Jibril, peace be upon him (Verse 38)
صَوَابًۭا
what is true and right (Verse 38)
مَـَٔابًا
a way back to Him through good deeds (Verse 39)

Check your understanding of Surah An-Naba: questions for kids

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

  1. 1. What was the «great news» the disbelievers asked about?

  2. 2. What did Allah compare the mountains to?

  3. 3. Why did Allah give us sleep?

  4. 4. What is the blazing lamp the surah mentions?

  5. 5. What did Allah bring out with the rain?

  6. 6. Does the Day of Resurrection have a time?

  7. 7. How does someone who wants to be saved prepare for that Day?

Questions parents ask

What is a simple explanation of Surah An-Naba for children?

An-Naba is the great news: that Allah will raise people up after death. The disbelievers of Quraysh doubted it, so Allah reminded them of His blessings: the level earth, the firm mountains, sleep, night and day, the sun and the rain, then told of the Day of Resurrection and what every person will receive.

What is the great news (an-naba al-azim)?

It is the news the Quran gave: that Allah will raise people up after their death on the Day of Resurrection. Those who denied it will come to know it is true.

What is the lesson of Surah An-Naba?

That the One who made the sky and the earth can bring us back on the Last Day. He writes down every deed, small and large, so whoever wants to be saved should return to his Lord with good deeds.

Why is Surah An-Naba called by this name?

An-Naba is the great news of the Day of Resurrection that people disagreed about: it is also called Surah Amma after its first word.

What are the main facts about Surah An-Naba?

Surah An-Naba is a Makki surah with 40 verses; it is number 78 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 582. Its big idea: The One who made the sky and the earth can bring us back on the Last Day.

Surahs close to Surah An-Naba

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