Surah Luqman preserves the Quran's most complete portrait of a parent teaching a child: the wise man Luqman, counselling his son — do not associate anything with Allah, for shirk is the greatest injustice; be grateful to Allah and to your parents; establish prayer, enjoin right, endure patiently; do not turn your cheek in arrogance or walk the earth exultantly; lower your voice. Around this centrepiece the surah sets the humbling scale of Allah's knowledge: if all the trees were pens and the sea ink, His words would not run out.
Surah Luqman is the 31st chapter of the Qur'an, a Meccan surah of 34 verses. It is named after Luqman, described as having been given wisdom, and its centre is the advice he gave his son — beginning with not associating anything with Allah and ending with how to walk and speak.
Surah Luqman at a glance
| Surah number | 31 of 114 |
|---|---|
| Arabic name | سُورَةُ لُقۡمَانَ |
| Name in English | Luqman — “Luqman” |
| Verses (ayahs) | 34 |
| Revealed in | Makkah |
| Juz | 21 |
| Length in the Mushaf | about 4 pages |
Guidance, and its opposite
The surah opens describing the verses of the wise Book as guidance and mercy for those who establish prayer, give zakah and are certain of the Hereafter. Against them it sets the person who buys the amusement of speech to mislead others without knowledge, and who turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard.
Signs in creation
It points to the heavens created without pillars you can see, mountains cast into the earth, creatures dispersed, and rain sent down to grow plants of every noble kind — then challenges: show me what those other than Him have created.
Luqman's advice to his son
The heart of the surah is Luqman instructing his son: do not associate anything with Allah, for that is a great injustice; be grateful to Allah and to your parents; know that even the weight of a mustard seed will be brought forth; establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you; do not turn your cheek in contempt or walk through the earth exultantly; and be moderate in your pace and lower your voice.
Read Surah Luqman in full
The Arabic below is the Uthmani script, with a Roman transliteration to help you sound out each verse and the Sahih International English translation of the meaning. If you are learning to recite it, read the Arabic line first and use the transliteration only to check yourself — leaning on it slows real reading down.
Listen to Surah Luqman (Mishary Al-Afasy)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ الٓمٓ
Alif-Laaam-Meeem
Alif, Lam, Meem.
تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Tilka Aayaatul Kitaabil Hakeem
These are verses of the wise Book,
هُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لِّلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Hudanw wa rahmatal lilmuhsineen
As guidance and mercy for the doers of good
ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
Allazeena yuqeemoonas Salaata wa yu'toonaz Zakaata wa hum bil Aakhirati hum yooqinoon
Who establish prayer and give zakah, and they, of the Hereafter, are certain [in faith].
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًۭى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Ulaaa'ika 'alaa hudam mir Rabbihim wa ulaaa'ika humul muflihoon
Those are on [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِى لَهْوَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۢ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ
Wa minan naasi mai-yashtaree lahuwal hadeesi li yudilla 'an sabeelil laahi bighairi 'ilminw wa yattakhizahaa huzuwaa; ulaaa'ika lahum 'azaabum muheen
And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا وَلَّىٰ مُسْتَكْبِرًۭا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِىٓ أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًۭا ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Wa izaa tutlaa 'alayhi Aayaatunaa wallaa mustakbiran ka al lam yasma'haa ka anna feee uzunwihi waqran fabash shiru bi'azaabin aleem
And when our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard them, as if there was in his ears deafness. So give him tidings of a painful punishment.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Innal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati lahum Janaatun Na'eem
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds - for them are the Gardens of Pleasure.
خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Khaalideena feeha wa'dal laahi haqqaa; wa Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem
Wherein they abide eternally; [it is] the promise of Allah [which is] truth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍۢ تَرَوْنَهَا ۖ وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍۢ ۚ وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ كَرِيمٍ
Khalaqas samaawaati bi ghairi 'amadin tarawnahaa wa alqaa fil ardi rawaasiya an tameeda bikum wa bassa feehaa min kulli daaabbah; wa anzalnaa minas samaaa'i maaa'an fa ambatnaa feeha min kulli zawjin kareem
He created the heavens without pillars that you see and has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with you, and dispersed therein from every creature. And We sent down rain from the sky and made grow therein [plants] of every noble kind.
هَٰذَا خَلْقُ ٱللَّهِ فَأَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ ۚ بَلِ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Haazaa khalqul laahi fa aroonee maazaa khalaqal lazeena min doonih; baliz zaalimoona fee dalalim Mubeen
This is the creation of Allah. So show Me what those other than Him have created. Rather, the wrongdoers are in clear error.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَٰنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌۭ
Wa laqad aatainaa Luqmaanal hikmata anishkur lillaah; wa many yashkur fa innamaa yashkuru linafsihee wa man kafara fa innal laaha Ghaniyyun Hameed
And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭ
Wa iz qaala luqmaanu libnihee wa huwa ya'izuhoo ya bunaiya laa tushrik billaah; innash shirka lazulmun 'azeem
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍۢ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Wa wassainal bi waalidaihi hamalat hu ummuhoo wahnan 'alaa wahninw wa fisaaluhoo fee 'aamaini anishkur lee wa liwaalidaika ilaiyal maseer
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًۭا ۖ وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Wa in jaahadaaka 'alaaa an tushrika bee maa laisa laka bihee 'ilmun falaa tuti'humaa wa saahib humaa fid dunyaa ma'roofanw wattabi' sabeela man anaaba ilayy; summa ilaiya marji'ukum fa unabbi'ukum bimaa kuntum ta'maloon
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍۢ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍۢ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
Ya bunaiya innahaaa in taku misqaala habbatim min khardalin fatakun fee sakhratin aw fis samaawaati aw fil ardi yaati bihal laa; innal laaha lateefun Khabeer
[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.
يَٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
Yaa bunaiya aqimis-Salaata waamur bilma'roofi wanha 'anil munkari wasbir 'alaa maaa asaabaka inna zaalika min 'azmil umoor
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍۢ
Wa laa tusa'-'ir khaddaka linnaasi wa laa tamshi fil ardi maarahan innal laaha laa yuhibbu kulla mukhtaalin fakhoor
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
Waqsid fee mashyika waghdud min sawtik; inna ankaral aswaati lasawtul hameer
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
أَلَمْ تَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُۥ ظَٰهِرَةًۭ وَبَاطِنَةًۭ ۗ وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِى ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا هُدًۭى وَلَا كِتَٰبٍۢ مُّنِيرٍۢ
Alam taraw annal laaha sakhkhara lakum maa fis sa maawaati wa maa fil ardi wa asbaha 'alaikum ni'amahoo zaahiratanw wa baatinah; wa minan naasi many yujaadilu fil laahi bighayri 'ilminw wa laa hudanw wa laa Kitaabim muneer
Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him].
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُوا۟ بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
Wa izaa qeela lahumut-tabi'oo maaa anzalal laahu qaaloo bal nattabi'u maa wajadnaa 'alaihi aabaaa'anaa; awalaw kaanash Shaitaanu yad'oohum ilaa 'azaabis sa'eer
And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers." Even if Satan was inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze?
۞ وَمَن يُسْلِمْ وَجْهَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌۭ فَقَدِ ٱسْتَمْسَكَ بِٱلْعُرْوَةِ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْأُمُورِ
Wa many yuslim wajha hooo ilal laahi wa huwa muhsinun faqadistamsaka bil'ur watil wusqaa; wa ilal laahi 'aaqibatul umoor
And whoever submits his face to Allah while he is a doer of good - then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to Allah will be the outcome of [all] matters.
وَمَن كَفَرَ فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ كُفْرُهُۥٓ ۚ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Wa man kafara falaa yahzunka kufruh; ilainaa marji'uhum fanunabbi'uhum bimaa 'amiloo; innal laaha 'aleemum bizaatis sudoor
And whoever has disbelieved - let not his disbelief grieve you. To Us is their return, and We will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلًۭا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍۢ
Numatti'uhum qaleelan summa nadtarruhum ilaa 'azaabin ghaleez
We grant them enjoyment for a little; then We will force them to a massive punishment.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Wa la'in sa altahum man khalaqas samaawaati wal arda la yaqoolunnal laah; qulil hamdu lillaah; bal aksaruhum laa ya'lamoon
And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and earth?" they would surely say, "Allah." Say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah "; but most of them do not know.
لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
Lilaahi ma fis samaa waati wal ard; innal laaha Huwal Ghaniyyul Hameed
To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. Indeed, Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَٰمٌۭ وَٱلْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍۢ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
Wa law annamaa fil ardi min shajaratin aqlaamunw wal bahru yamudduhoo mim ba'dihee sab'atu abhurim maa nafidat Kalimaatul laah; innal laaha 'azeezun Hakeem
And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍۢ وَٰحِدَةٍ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
Maa khalqukum wa laa ba'sukum illaa kanafsinw-waa hidah; innal laaha Samee'um Baseer
Your creation and your resurrection will not be but as that of a single soul. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّۭ يَجْرِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّۭى وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ
Alam tara annal laaha yoolijul laila fin nahaari wa yoolijun nahaara fil laili wa sakhkharash shamsa wal qamara kulluny yajreee ilaaa ajalim musammanw wa annal laaha bimaa ta'malona Khabeer
Do you not see that Allah causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term, and that Allah, with whatever you do, is Acquainted?
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلْبَٰطِلُ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
Zaalika bi annal laaha Huwal Haqqu wa anna maa yad'oona min doonihil baatilu wa annal laaha Huwal 'Aliyyul Kabeer
That is because Allah is the Truth, and that what they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allah is the Most High, the Grand.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍۢ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍۢ شَكُورٍۢ
Alam tara annal fulka tajree fil bahri bini'matil laahi li yuriyakum min Aayaatih; inna fee zaalika la Aayaatil likulli sabbaarin shakoor
Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favor of Allah that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوْجٌۭ كَٱلظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ فَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌۭ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا كُلُّ خَتَّارٍۢ كَفُورٍۢ
Wa izaa ghashiyahum mawjun kazzulali da'a-wul laaha mukhliseena lahud deena fa lammaa najjaahum ilal barri faminhum muqtasid; wa maa yajhadu bi Aayaatinaa illaa kullu khattaarin kafoor
And when waves come over them like canopies, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, there are [some] of them who are moderate [in faith]. And none rejects Our signs except everyone treacherous and ungrateful.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱخْشَوْا۟ يَوْمًۭا لَّا يَجْزِى وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِۦ وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
Yaaa ayyuhan naasuttaqoo Rabbakum wakhshaw Yawmal laa yajzee waalidun 'anw waladihee wa laa mawloodun huwa jaazin 'anw waalidihee shai'aa; innaa wa'dal laahi haqqun falaa taghurran nakumul hayaatud dunyaa wa laa yaghur rannakum billaahil gharoon
O mankind, fear your Lord and fear a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will a son avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌۭ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًۭا ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌۢ بِأَىِّ أَرْضٍۢ تَمُوتُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۢ
Innal laaha 'indahoo 'ilmus saa'ati wa yunazzilul ghaisa wa ya'lamu maa fil arhaami wa maa tadree nafsum maazaa takisbu ghadaa; wa maa tadree nafsum bi ayyi ardin tamoot; innal laaha 'Aleemun Khabeer
Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
Learning Surah Luqman
Luqman's advice section is the part most students learn first and remember longest, because it is concrete and sequential. The passages on creation either side of it are the harder joins.
Why memorize Surah Luqman?
Because it is the surah parents memorize for their children and with them. The wasiyyah of Luqman (ayahs 12–19) is a complete curriculum of character in eight ayahs — many families make it the first passage a child learns with meaning, not just sound.
How long does Surah Luqman take to memorize?
Honest answer: it depends on your daily portion and whether someone is correcting you. Surah Luqman is about 55 lines of mushaf text. Here is what that means at three realistic paces — each assuming you also run the revision cycle (which is what makes it permanent):
| Pace | New memorization per day | Time to finish Surah Luqman | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed | ~3 lines | about 3 weeks | Busy adults, first-time memorizers |
| Steady | ~5 lines | about 2 weeks | Most students — the sweet spot |
| Focused | ~10 lines | about 6 days | Experienced memorizers, school holidays |
Add roughly a consolidation week at the end — the point where you can recite the whole surah to a listener without prompts. Our guide to how long the whole Quran takes uses the same arithmetic.
The smart way to memorize Surah Luqman
Build outward from the heart of the surah. Memorize Luqman's advice (12–19) first and learn its meaning line by line — each counsel is one ayah or less, a natural bead-chain: tawhid → gratitude → parents → accountability → prayer and patience → humility → moderation. Then frame it: the opening on the wise Book and the successful believers (1–11) and the closing on Allah's limitless knowledge and the five things only He knows (20–34). Reciting the advice section to your own family is the most powerful consolidation this surah offers.
A milestone plan for Surah Luqman
At the steady pace (~5 lines a day), Surah Luqman breaks into four milestones. Print our free planner PDF and mark them off:
| Portion | New-memorization time | Cumulative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milestone 1 | Ayahs 1–8 | ~3 days | Day 3 |
| Milestone 2 | Ayahs 9–16 | ~3 days | Day 6 |
| Milestone 3 | Ayahs 17–24 | ~3 days | Day 9 |
| Milestone 4 | Ayahs 25–34 | ~3 days | Day 12 |
Use the system huffadh actually use
Every hifz institute on earth runs some version of the same engine: new lesson (sabaq), near revision (sabqi), far revision (manzil). New memorization is the easy part — the system exists to stop last month's pages dissolving while you learn this month's. It's the backbone of our structured Hifz course, and you can run it yourself with the free planner PDF.
The correction problem (and its solution)
Apps and audio can help you repeat — but they can't hear you. Memorizing alone means locking in whatever you happen to be saying, right or wrong, and un-learning a settled mistake takes longer than learning it right the first time. Our teachers listen to every ayah live on a synchronized Quran screen, fix each slip in real time, and keep your sabaq–sabqi–manzil cycle honest. Try it in a free trial lesson — no card required.