Sūrat al-Zukhruf is the forty-third chapter of the Quran and gets its name from the word zukhruf (ornaments of gold) mentioned in verse 35. This word has been mentioned three other times in the Quran (6:112, 10:24, and 17:93).

In some narrations it is referred to as Sūrat Ḥā Mīm Zukhruf.^{‎[1]Tabrisi, 9/69.} It contains 89 verses, and, based on its content, is apparently a Meccan surah. However, many exegetes opine that verse 45 was revealed in Medina.^{‎[2]Mizan, 18/83; Amthal, 16/7.} It has somewhat strangely been attributed to Muqātil that verse 45 was revealed in Jerusalem on the Night of Ascension (miʿrāj) of Prophet Muhammad (s).^{‎[3]Tabrisi, 9/59.} In terms of the order of revelation, this is the sixty-second chapter to be revealed, after Sūrat al-Shūrā (42) and before Sūrat al-Dukhān (44).^{‎[4]Ibn Ashur, 25/209.}

This chapter, along with surahs Ghāfir (40), Fuṣṣilat (41), al-Shūrā (42), al-Dukhān (44), al-Jāthiyah (45), and al-Aḥqāf (46), all begin with the same disjointed letters, ḥā mīm, and thus together are known as ḥawāmīm al-sabʿah (the seven ḥawāmīm) or āl-i ḥā mīm (family of ḥā mīm).^{‎[5]Qaraati, 8/429.}

The vast majority of the chapter is concerned with continuously warning those who have rejected the truth and who mock the Holy Prophet. The only exception to this theme of warning are the six verses that describe the status of the God-wary in the hereafter (verses 68-73). Otherwise, the chapter describes how it is God’s custom to send prophets as warners, and the consequence for those who mock and reject these prophets is a painful punishment and everlasting torment in the fire of hell. The chapter specifically discusses prophets Abraham (a), Moses (a), and Jesus (a). It also responds to some false beliefs such as the idea that God had adopted the angels as His daughters, or that He willed for people to worship the angels, or that the Holy Prophet ought to have been from a high social standing.^{‎[6]Mizan, 18/83.}

According to some exegetes, the chapter’s contents can be divided into seven sections:

1. The beginning of the chapter that discusses the importance of the Quran and the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s), and the opposition of the polytheists to this divine book.
2. The signs of divine unity (tawḥīd) that can be seen in the cosmos, and the various blessings of God that He has bestowed upon His creation.
3. Combatting polytheism and rejecting false claims about God whilst negating the blind emulation of forefathers and superstitious customs and beliefs.
4. Reports of past prophets and their peoples, specifically prophets Abraham (a), Moses (a), and Jesus (a).
5. Resurrection and the recompense of believers as well as punishment of the disbelievers.
6. The most important part of the chapter deals with combating false values that dominate the mindset of materialistic individuals, such as appraising a person based on their wealth.
7. Helpful and thought-provoking advices.^{‎[7]Amthal, 16/8.}

[1] Tabrisi, 9/69.
[2] Mizan, 18/83; Amthal, 16/7.
[3] Tabrisi, 9/59.
[4] Ibn Ashur, 25/209.
[5] Qaraati, 8/429.
[6] Mizan, 18/83.
[7] Amthal, 16/8.