Surah Saba, also known as Surah Saba’ or Surah Sheba, is the 34th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 54 verses. It was revealed in Makkah and addresses various themes, including the signs of Allah’s creation, the consequences of disbelief, and the reward for the righteous.
Surah Saba begins by praising Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the One who possesses perfect knowledge. It highlights the fact that Allah’s command over everything is absolute and that He rewards the believers and punishes the disbelievers.
The chapter then recounts the story of the people of Sheba, who were blessed with abundant resources and a beautiful land. However, they failed to recognize the source of their blessings and turned to worshipping the sun instead of Allah. The Quran emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Allah as the ultimate provider and avoiding the worship of idols or other false gods.
The Surah describes how Allah sent messengers to the people of Sheba, inviting them to worship Him alone and warning them of the consequences of their disbelief. However, the people of Sheba rejected the messengers and persisted in their polytheistic beliefs. Consequently, Allah caused a severe drought to afflict them, leading to the destruction of their crops and the suffering of their livestock.
In their distress, the people of Sheba finally turned to Allah, seeking His mercy. Allah responded to their plea and sent rain upon them, reviving their land and crops. This served as a reminder to them of Allah’s power and the consequences of their earlier disbelief.
The Surah then emphasizes the importance of reflecting upon the signs of Allah’s creation as evidence of His existence and power. It highlights the intricate design of the heavens and the earth, the diversity of living beings, and the natural phenomena as proofs of Allah’s wisdom and ability to resurrect the dead.
Surah Saba also emphasizes that on the Day of Judgment, all beings, including the jinn, humans, and animals, will be gathered before Allah for their accountability. It warns the disbelievers of the consequences of their rejection and disbelief, while offering hope and encouragement to the believers.
The chapter concludes by emphasizing the ultimate justice of Allah. It reassures the believers that their efforts in worshiping and obeying Allah will not go in vain. They will be rewarded abundantly in the hereafter, while the disbelievers will face the consequences of their disbelief and rejection of the truth.