Surah At-Tin – Meaning, Translation and Hadith

surah Tin logo

Surah
NameAt-Tin
MeaningThe Fig
Number of Verses8
Place of RevelationMakkah
Chapter Number95

Surah At-Tin, the Fig, is the 95th chapter of the Holy Quran which appears in the 30th juz.  It is a Makkan surah consisting of 8 verses.  The surah talks about the different creations of Allah, whether it is a fruit, a mountain or human beings, and asks us to ponder over the creation. 

All these creations should lead a person to worship Allah and Him alone.  Man was created perfectly capable of worshipping Allah in the best way, which is the purpose of his creation.

Arabic Text

Surah Tin arabic

Meaning of Surah At-Tin

Although the fruits of figs and olives have been stated, ibn Abbas (RA) was of the opinion that their mention referred to the places that are especially connected with them – the mountain that Prophet Nuh (AS) is in an area where figs are grown, and olives are related to both mount of olives in Palestine which is connected with Prophet Isa (AS) and mount Tur in Sinai, Egypt associated with Prophet Musa (AS) also where a special olive tree grows.

This is then followed in the next verse of the surah by the area most associated with the Prophet (SAW) himself as well as with Ibrahim (AS) i.e. Makkah.  Some scholars also say the sequence is one of importance in terms of locations where the mount Judi of Nuh (AS) is blessed, but more blessed is the mount of Sinai and the most blessed is the city of Makkah, which is the safe and entrusted city.

Allah says Mankind was created in the best form, and this is why we were given the responsibility of worship.  If you want proof of the greatness that can be achieved from this creation, just look at the people mentioned before – Nuh, Isa, Musa, Ibrahim (AS) and Muhammad (SAW).  Read their life stories and see how they perfected their worship of their creator.  But man forgot his purpose so he was reduced to the lowest of the low. 

Hadith on Surah Tin

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (RA) reported: I heard the Prophet, reciting in the evening prayer, “By the fig and the olive,” (95:1). I have not heard a voice more beautiful than his. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Transliteration of Surah At-Tin

  1. Wat teeni waz zaitoon
  2. Wa toori sineen
  3. Wa haazal balad-il ameen
  4. Laqad khalaqnal insaana fee ahsani taqweem
  5. Thumma ra dad naahu asfala saafileen
  6. Ill-lal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati; falahum ajrun ghairu mamnoon
  7. Fama yu kaz zibuka b’adu bid deen
  8. Alai sal laahu bi-ahkamil haakimeen

Surah At-Tin English Translation

  1. By the Fig and the Olive,
  2. And the Mount of Sinai,
  3. And this City of security,-
  4. We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,
  5. Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,-
  6. Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.
  7. Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?
  8. Is not Allah the wisest of judges?