Surah Hashr: Meaning, Translation, and Tafsir of Surah 59

Quick answer: Surah Al-Hashr (Surah 59) is a Madani surah with 24 verses, found in Juz 28. Its name means “The Gathering” or “The Exile”, and it refers to the expulsion of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir from Madinah. The surah is best known for its last three verses (22 to 24), which name many of Allah’s beautiful names. It also praises the Ansar for putting others before themselves, gives a famous dua for those who come after the early believers, and asks every soul to look at what it has sent ahead for tomorrow. A hadith about reading its last verses in the morning is often quoted, but scholars classify it as weak.

Surah Al-Hashr at a Glance

• Name: Al-Hashr (The Gathering, The Exile)
• Number: 59, in Juz 28
• Verses: 24
• Revealed in: Madinah
• Main themes: The expulsion of Banu Nadir, sharing of war gains, selflessness of the Ansar, hypocrisy, accountability, and Allah’s names

Key Verses With Meaning

This guide gives the best-known passages with meaning. Read the full surah from a printed mushaf or a trusted app next to this explanation.

Verse 9 (part): Preferring others over oneself

Meaning: They give them preference over themselves, even if they are in need. And whoever is protected from the greed of his own soul, it is they who are the successful.

Verse 10: A dua for those before us

Meaning: And those who came after them say: Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not put in our hearts any resentment toward those who believe. Our Lord, You are Kind and Merciful.

Verse 18: Look at what you send ahead

Meaning: O you who believe, fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has put forward for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Aware of what you do.

Verses 22 to 24: The names of Allah

Meaning: He is Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. He is Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Source of Peace, the Giver of Security, the Overseer, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Exalted is Allah above what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner. To Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth exalts Him, and He is the Almighty, the Wise.

These are plain-language meanings, not a replacement for a full translation. Read a trusted translation and tafsir alongside them.

Why Is It Called Al-Hashr?

In verse 2, the word hashr describes the first gathering and expulsion of the Banu Nadir from their fortresses. They had broken their agreement with the Prophet ﷺ, and after a siege they left Madinah. The same word is also used for the gathering of people on the Day of Judgement, so scholars see the surah as a reminder of both events. Ibn Abbas is reported to have called this surah Surah Banu Nadir.

Tafsir: The Structure of the Surah

Part 1: The exile of Banu Nadir (verses 1 to 5)

The surah opens by saying that everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah. It then describes how He removed Banu Nadir, who thought their fortresses would protect them, and how fear came into their hearts from where they did not expect.

Part 2: Sharing of wealth and the Ansar (verses 6 to 10)

Property taken without fighting, called fay, is to be used for the Prophet ﷺ, relatives, orphans, the poor and travellers, so that wealth does not circulate only among the rich. Verse 7 gives the well-known rule to take what the Messenger gives and stop at what he forbids. The surah then praises the Muhajirun, the Ansar who shared homes and wealth, and those who come after with the dua of verse 10. Read about sadaqah and zakat.

Part 3: Hypocrites and the unity of the believers (verses 11 to 17)

The hypocrites promised Banu Nadir help but did not give it. The surah compares them to a person who tells another to disbelieve and then walks away from him.

Part 4: Accountability and Allah’s names (verses 18 to 24)

The final section asks every soul to prepare for tomorrow, warns against forgetting Allah, and notes the greatness of the Quran, which would make a mountain humble if it were sent down on it. It ends with the names of Allah in verses 22 to 24. See Asma-ul-Husna for the full list.

Is There a Reward for Reading the Last Three Verses?

A hadith narrated by Maqil ibn Yasar in Tirmidhi says that whoever says in the morning three times A‘udhu billahis-sami‘il-‘alim minash-shaytanir-rajim and then reads the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr will have seventy thousand angels pray for him until evening, and if he dies that day, he dies a martyr. Imam Tirmidhi called it gharib, and many hadith scholars, including Al-Albani, classify it as weak. Because of this, it should not be treated as an established Sunnah or a guaranteed reward. These verses are still a beautiful way to remember Allah’s names, and you can read them as part of your dhikr and morning protection routine without attaching a promised reward.

Lessons From Surah Al-Hashr

• Power does not protect without Allah. Banu Nadir’s fortresses did not save them.
• Put others first. Verse 9 describes the Ansar’s selflessness and says protection from greed brings success.
• Keep your heart clean. Verse 10 teaches us to pray for those before us and to ask for no resentment toward believers. See istighfar.
• Prepare for tomorrow. Verse 18 asks us to review what we are sending ahead.
• Learn Allah’s names. Verses 22 to 24 invite us to know Him better. See also Ayat-ul-Kursi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many verses does Surah Al-Hashr have?

Twenty-four verses.

Is Surah Al-Hashr Makki or Madani?

Madani.

Which Juz is Surah Al-Hashr in?

Juz 28.

What does Hashr mean?

Hashr means gathering. In the surah it refers to the gathering and exile of Banu Nadir. The word is also used for the gathering on the Day of Judgement.

Which verses of Surah Al-Hashr name Allah’s attributes?

The last three verses, 22 to 24, mention many of Allah’s names, including Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim, Al-Malik, Al-Quddus, As-Salam, Al-Mu’min, Al-Muhaymin, Al-Aziz, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari and Al-Musawwir.

Is there a special wazifa for Surah Al-Hashr?

No authentic hadith gives a special wazifa for this surah. The hadith about the last three verses is classified as weak by many scholars. Be careful with claims of that kind.

Conclusion

Surah Al-Hashr teaches that Allah’s plan outlasts any fortress, that generosity and a clean heart bring success, and that every person should prepare for tomorrow. Read it with its meaning and learn the names in its closing verses.

Continue with Surah Ad-Dukhan, Surah Muhammad and Surah Al-Mulk, or find a gathering near you on our Islamic events page.

Please confirm the Arabic text and rulings with a qualified scholar or a printed mushaf.