Overview - Surah 34: Saba' ([The People of] Saba)
The Surah answers some of the objections raised by the non-believers about Tawhid, Risalah and Akhirah. It also speaks about Prophets David and Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to remind people about the consequences of evils as well as righteousness.
Sections:
- The Day of Judgment will surely come.
- Allah's favors on Prophets David and Solomon. Allah's judgment on the people of Saba'.
- Shirk will be of no use on the Day of Judgment. Prophet Muhammad is sent for all people.
- The wrong leaders will leave their followers on the Day of Judgment, the discussion of their mutual recrimination.
- Material riches do not necessarily bring you closer to Allah.
- The truth will prosper.
Surah Saba' takes its name after the People of Saba', لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۖ كُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ "There was for [the tribe of] Saba' in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], "Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and a forgiving Lord." (34:15)
There are 54 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
Total Ayat | 54 |
Total Words * | 883 |
Root Words * | 229 |
Unique Root Words * | 7 |
Makki / Madani | Makki |
Chronological Order* | 58th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
Year of Revelation* | |
Events during/before this Surah*
N/A
| |
Events during/after still to occur*
N/A
| |
Names of Prophets Mentioned
Dawud, Sulayman
| |
Surah Index
God (knows that beyond comprehension) , Angels, Astronomy (objects impacting Earth) , Birds, Charity, Children, David, Earthquake, Hell, Iblis, Jinn, Judgement (Day) , Knowledge, Metallurgy (molten copper) , Mountains, Nuclear physics (things smaller than an atom (originally meant as ant?)) , Qur’an, Resurrection (of humans) , Sheba, Solomon, Solomon (discovery of the death of) , Weather (wind)
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The Surah deals with those objections of the disbelievers which they were raising against the Prophet’s message of Monotheism (Tawhid), the Hereafter and about his Prophethood itself. This was mostly in the form of absurd allegations, taunts and mockery. These objections have been answered sometimes by citing them and sometimes without citing them while the discourse itself shows which objection is being answered at a particular place. The answers mostly take the form of instruction and admonition and argument but at some places the disbelievers have been warned also of the evil consequences of their stubbornness. In this connection the stories of the Sabaeans and the Prophets David and Solomon have been related to impress this lesson: “You have both these historical precedents before you. On the one hand there were the Prophets David and Solomon who had been blessed by God with great powers and such grandeur and glory as had been granted to hardly any people before them. In spite of this they were not proud and arrogant but remained grateful servants of their Lord. They were never rebellious. On the other hand there were the people of Saba who when blessed by God became proud and were consequently so thoroughly destroyed and dispersed as to be remembered only in myths and legends. With these precedents in view you may see and judge for yourselves as to which bind of the life is better: that which is built on belief in Monotheism (Tawhid), the Hereafter and the attitude of gratefulness to God or that which is based on disbelief, polytheism (shirk), denial of the Hereafter and the worship of the world.”
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
13th Century
15th century
10th/16th Century
704H
1250-1517 CE
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
2nd / 3rd Century of Hijrah
Early 11th century AD
- Wind ريح - In Surah al-Ahzab (33) and Surah Saba' (34) there is a mention of the usage of the 'wind' In Surah al-Ahzab, إِذْ جَاءَتْكُمْ جُنُودٌ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا "....We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see...." (33:9). In Surah Saba' وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ "And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind - its morning [journey was that of] a month - and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month..." (34:12)
- Purposes of sending the Prophet أَرْسَلْنَاكَ. Allah says in Surah al-Ahzab (33), يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا ﴿٤٥﴾ وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّـهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا "O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp." (33:45-46)
In Surah Saba' (34) Allah says, وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ "And We have not sent you except to all mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know." (34:28)
- Relationship between the Leadership and the Masses. In Surah al-Ahzab (33), Allah says, "The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, "How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger. And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries, and they led us astray from the [right] way. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse." (33:66-68). In Surah Saba' (33), Allah says, " And those who disbelieve say, "We will never believe in this Qur'an nor in that before it." But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, refuting each other's words... Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "If not for you, we would have been believers." Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, "Did we avert you from guidance after it had come to you? Rather, you were criminals." Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "Rather, [it was your] conspiracy of night and day when you were ordering us to disbelieve in Allah and attribute to Him equals." But they will [all] confide regret when they see the punishment; and We will put shackles on the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be recompensed except for what they used to do?" (34:31-33)
- Both Surah Saba' (34) and al-Fatir (35) begin with the words "Alhamdulillah" All praise is for Allah....
- No control of even an atom/speck of dust. Allah Almighty says in Surah Saba', قُلِ ادْعُوا الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُ مِنْهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ "Say, [O Muhammad], "Invoke those you claim [as deities] besides Allah." They do not possess an atom's weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth, and they do not have therein any partnership [with Him], nor is there for Him from among them any assistant." (34:22). In the following Surah, al-Fatir, Allah Almighty says, وَالَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ "....And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed." (35:13)
- Plotting/scheming. Allah Almighty says in Surah Saba' (34), وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا بَلْ مَكْرُ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ إِذْ تَأْمُرُونَنَا أَن نَّكْفُرَ بِاللَّـهِ وَنَجْعَلَ لَهُ أَندَادًا "Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "Rather, [it was your] conspiracy of night and day when you were ordering us to disbelieve in Allah and attribute to Him equals...." (34:33)
In Surah al-Fatir, Allah Almighty says in two different Ayaat, وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ " ....but they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those - it will perish." (35:10) and اسْتِكْبَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ السَّيِّئِ ۚ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ "[Due to] arrogance in the land and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people...." (35:43)
- The Hour. There is a reference to the Hour and the end of Surah al-Ahzab (33) and the beginning of Surah Saba (34).
يَسْأَلُكَ النَّاسُ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ تَكُونُ قَرِيبًا "People ask you concerning the Hour. Say," Knowledge of it is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near." (33:63)
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَأْتِينَا السَّاعَةُ ۖ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ ۖ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
"But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allah is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register -" (34:3).
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 7* | ||
# | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
---|---|---|---|
1. | ق و ل | 36 | 1722 |
2. | ٱلَّذِى | 26 | 1464 |
3. | ب ي ن | 16 | 523 |
4. | ك و ن | 16 | 1390 |
5. | إِلَّا | 15 | 663 |
6. | ر ب ب | 14 | 980 |
7. | أ م ن | 11 | 879 |
8. | ع م ل | 11 | 360 |
9. | ك ف ر | 10 | 525 |
10. | ع ل م | 9 | 854 |
Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
---|---|---|
ق و ل | 36 | 1722 |
ٱلَّذِى | 26 | 1464 |
ب ي ن | 16 | 523 |
ك و ن | 16 | 1390 |
إِلَّا | 15 | 663 |
ر ب ب | 14 | 980 |
أ م ن | 11 | 879 |
ع م ل | 11 | 360 |
ك ف ر | 10 | 525 |
ع ل م | 9 | 854 |
- The Day of Resurrection is sure to come for Allah's Judgement to reward the believers and punish the disbelievers.
- Those who do not believe in the hereafter are doomed.
- The mountains and birds used to sing Allah's praises with the Prophet Dawood.
- Allah subjected the winds and Jinns to the Prophet Sulaiman.
- Intercession before Allah can not avail anyone except for whom He permits.
- Muhammad (pbuh) is sent as a Rasool for the whole of mankind.
- Wealth and children are a test to whom they are given.
- Whatever you spend in charity, Allah will pay you back in full.
- The truth has come, falsehood neither originates nor restores anything.
- On the Day of Judgement disbelievers will wish that they were believers.
Tafsir Zone
Overview (Verses 31 - 33) Stubborn to the Hilt The next verse speaks about a determined attitude to reject all divine guidance: “The unbelievers say: We will never believe in this Qur’ān, nor in any earlier revelations.” (Verse 31) They make it clear that they will never believe, neither in the Qur’ān nor in any divine book that preceded the Qur’ān, which in fact confirms its truth. They are not prepared to believe in any of this at any time in the future either. They are determined to disbelieve, deliberately refusing even to consider anything that points to faith. It is all, then, a well considered stance. Therefore, the sūrah puts before their eyes what happens to them on the Day of Judgement as a result of their stubborn rejection: If only you could see how the wrongdoers shall be made to stand before their Lord, hurling reproaches at one another. Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.’ The ones who deemed themselves mighty will say to those who were weak: ‘Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you? Certainly not! It was you who were guilty.’ Those who were weak will reply to those who deemed themselves mighty: Not so! It was your scheming, night and day, ordering us to disbelieve in God and to set up equals to Him.’ When they see the punishment awaiting them, they will all harbour utter and unmitigated remorse. We shall put chains round the necks of the unbelievers. Are they to be requited for anything other than what they did? (Verses 31-33) Their assertion that they will never believe in any revealed book is made in this life. So, what will they say in a totally different situation? If only we could see these wrongdoers when they are ‘made to stand’, i.e. forced into it against their will or better judgement. They are guilty, made to stand and await a decision by their Lord, in whose words and scriptures they profess they will never believe. Yet now they stand before Him. If you could watch them, you would see how they reproach one another, exchanging accusations and trying to blame each other. So, what is it that they say? “Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.” (Verse 31) They blame their leaders, accusing them of being responsible for this humiliation and what will come next of great suffering. They state this now but were totally unable to confront them in this way during their life on earth, prevented as they were by their weakness and submission. They had sold out the freedom and dignity God had granted them, as well as the reasoning He had blessed them with. Now that all false values have been discarded, and they are put face to face with a long-lasting suffering, they can express themselves without fear: “Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.” (Verse 31) Those who used to think much of their power base are fed up with those whom they treated with humiliation. Both face the same punishment, but the weaker elements want them to bear responsibility for leading them astray, which is what has brought them to this suffering. Therefore, their reply is haughty, disowning any responsibility. They also tell them rudely what they think of them: “The ones who deemed themselves mighty will say to those who were weak: Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you? Certainly not! It was you who were guilty.” (Verse 32) It is not only that they deny responsibility for others, but they acknowledge that the message they received was one of guidance. In their first life, they paid little heed to the weak or their views. In fact, they treated them as if they did not exist, accepting neither argument nor opposition from them. Now that they are facing the punishment of the hereafter, they reproachfully ask them: “Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you?” (Verse 32) With this denial comes an accusation: “It was you who were guilty.” (Verse 32) You refused the guidance that was given you because you yourselves were guilty. Had this exchange taken place in this life, the weak would have sat quietly, unable to utter a word. But on the Day of Judgement, when false airs are seen for what they are, and when the facts that were hidden are brought into the open, the weak do not accept this accusation. Instead, they speak out telling the others that it was they who consistently schemed to turn them away from God’s guidance, it was they who established false beliefs, created confusion around the truth, and who used power and influence to keep people astray: “Those who were weak will reply to those who deemed themselves mighty: Not so! It was your scheming, night and day, ordering us to disbelieve in God and to set up equals to Him.” (Verse 33) Both groups will then realize that such a depressing dialogue benefits neither. It will not spare either the punishment they deserve. Each party is guilty of their own sins: the ones who claimed power have to account for their own sins, as well as for leading others astray; and similarly the weak are responsible for their own sins and for following tyrants. They cannot he exempt on account of the fact that they were weak. God favoured them with reason and freedom, but they chose not to use their reason and sold their freedom, accepting humiliation and servility. Thus, they all deserve to be punished. When they see the suffering they have to endure, they are in deep sorrow, regretting all that they have done: “When they see the punishment awaiting them, they will all harbour utter and unmitigated remorse.” (Verse 33) This is a description of a state of total regret that leaves the person unable to utter a word. Hearts are buried and lips are sealed. They are then taken to where their punishment, hard and painful, is meted out: “We shall put chains round the necks of the unbelievers.” (Verse 32) As they are being so driven, the sūrah addresses the onlookers, saying: “Are they to be requited for anything other than what they did?” (Verse 33) The curtains are drawn leaving behind both those who enjoyed power and those who were servile. Both are wrongdoers. One group does wrong by tyrannizing, distorting the truth and exceeding their limits, while the other does wrong by surrendering their human dignity, reason and freedom, and accepting tyranny. Both groups are equally punished; both are requited only for what they did. The scene shows the wrongdoers what they will face, bringing it alive before their very eyes. They see themselves in the hereafter while they are still in this life. Not only so, but others also see their end. All this is done when there is still time for all to make amends and correct their attitudes. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 31 - 33) Stubborn to the Hilt The next verse speaks about a determined attitude to reject all divine guidance: “The unbelievers say: We will never believe in this Qur’ān, nor in any earlier revelations.” (Verse 31) They make it clear that they will never believe, neither in the Qur’ān nor in any divine book that preceded the Qur’ān, which in fact confirms its truth. They are not prepared to believe in any of this at any time in the future either. They are determined to disbelieve, deliberately refusing even to consider anything that points to faith. It is all, then, a well considered stance. Therefore, the sūrah puts before their eyes what happens to them on the Day of Judgement as a result of their stubborn rejection: If only you could see how the wrongdoers shall be made to stand before their Lord, hurling reproaches at one another. Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.’ The ones who deemed themselves mighty will say to those who were weak: ‘Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you? Certainly not! It was you who were guilty.’ Those who were weak will reply to those who deemed themselves mighty: Not so! It was your scheming, night and day, ordering us to disbelieve in God and to set up equals to Him.’ When they see the punishment awaiting them, they will all harbour utter and unmitigated remorse. We shall put chains round the necks of the unbelievers. Are they to be requited for anything other than what they did? (Verses 31-33) Their assertion that they will never believe in any revealed book is made in this life. So, what will they say in a totally different situation? If only we could see these wrongdoers when they are ‘made to stand’, i.e. forced into it against their will or better judgement. They are guilty, made to stand and await a decision by their Lord, in whose words and scriptures they profess they will never believe. Yet now they stand before Him. If you could watch them, you would see how they reproach one another, exchanging accusations and trying to blame each other. So, what is it that they say? “Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.” (Verse 31) They blame their leaders, accusing them of being responsible for this humiliation and what will come next of great suffering. They state this now but were totally unable to confront them in this way during their life on earth, prevented as they were by their weakness and submission. They had sold out the freedom and dignity God had granted them, as well as the reasoning He had blessed them with. Now that all false values have been discarded, and they are put face to face with a long-lasting suffering, they can express themselves without fear: “Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.” (Verse 31) Those who used to think much of their power base are fed up with those whom they treated with humiliation. Both face the same punishment, but the weaker elements want them to bear responsibility for leading them astray, which is what has brought them to this suffering. Therefore, their reply is haughty, disowning any responsibility. They also tell them rudely what they think of them: “The ones who deemed themselves mighty will say to those who were weak: Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you? Certainly not! It was you who were guilty.” (Verse 32) It is not only that they deny responsibility for others, but they acknowledge that the message they received was one of guidance. In their first life, they paid little heed to the weak or their views. In fact, they treated them as if they did not exist, accepting neither argument nor opposition from them. Now that they are facing the punishment of the hereafter, they reproachfully ask them: “Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you?” (Verse 32) With this denial comes an accusation: “It was you who were guilty.” (Verse 32) You refused the guidance that was given you because you yourselves were guilty. Had this exchange taken place in this life, the weak would have sat quietly, unable to utter a word. But on the Day of Judgement, when false airs are seen for what they are, and when the facts that were hidden are brought into the open, the weak do not accept this accusation. Instead, they speak out telling the others that it was they who consistently schemed to turn them away from God’s guidance, it was they who established false beliefs, created confusion around the truth, and who used power and influence to keep people astray: “Those who were weak will reply to those who deemed themselves mighty: Not so! It was your scheming, night and day, ordering us to disbelieve in God and to set up equals to Him.” (Verse 33) Both groups will then realize that such a depressing dialogue benefits neither. It will not spare either the punishment they deserve. Each party is guilty of their own sins: the ones who claimed power have to account for their own sins, as well as for leading others astray; and similarly the weak are responsible for their own sins and for following tyrants. They cannot he exempt on account of the fact that they were weak. God favoured them with reason and freedom, but they chose not to use their reason and sold their freedom, accepting humiliation and servility. Thus, they all deserve to be punished. When they see the suffering they have to endure, they are in deep sorrow, regretting all that they have done: “When they see the punishment awaiting them, they will all harbour utter and unmitigated remorse.” (Verse 33) This is a description of a state of total regret that leaves the person unable to utter a word. Hearts are buried and lips are sealed. They are then taken to where their punishment, hard and painful, is meted out: “We shall put chains round the necks of the unbelievers.” (Verse 32) As they are being so driven, the sūrah addresses the onlookers, saying: “Are they to be requited for anything other than what they did?” (Verse 33) The curtains are drawn leaving behind both those who enjoyed power and those who were servile. Both are wrongdoers. One group does wrong by tyrannizing, distorting the truth and exceeding their limits, while the other does wrong by surrendering their human dignity, reason and freedom, and accepting tyranny. Both groups are equally punished; both are requited only for what they did. The scene shows the wrongdoers what they will face, bringing it alive before their very eyes. They see themselves in the hereafter while they are still in this life. Not only so, but others also see their end. All this is done when there is still time for all to make amends and correct their attitudes. |
- Surah 34. Saba - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_pkKrjMN_I&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=34
- Surah 34. Saba Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73uotTbuukw&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=34
- Surah 34.Saba Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k5c8QNnVbg&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=34
- Surah 34.Saba - muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh8S1BJUfCY&index=34&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG