thumb|Illuminated Manuscript Koran, Illuminated heading for chapter 20 (Sūrat Tā Hā) with marginal medallion, [[Walters Art Museum Ms.]]

Ṭā Hā (; ) is the 20th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 135 verses (āyāt). It is named "Ṭā Hā" because the chapter starts with the Arabic ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt (disjoined letters) (Ṭāhā), which is widely mistaken to be one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, but is just one of the many unlinked letters at the beginning of many other surahs of the Quran.

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is traditionally believed to be a Meccan surah, from the second Meccan period (615-619), which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, rather than later in Medina.

Among the subjects treated in this chapter are God's call of Moses (), the Exodus of the Israelites and the crossing of the Red Sea (), the worship of the Golden Calf () and the Fall of Man (). The main theme of the chapter is about the existence of God. It addresses this theme through stories about Moses and Adam. Sura 20 displays several thematic and stylistic patterns described by Angelika Neuwirth in Jane McAuliffe's book "The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an". These include the eschatological prophecies of the Quran, signs of God's existence, and debate. Additionally, sura 20 employs what has been termed the "ring structure" to reinforce its central theme.

This is the chapter that convinced Umar to convert to Islam.

The oldest surviving manuscript containing chapter Ṭā Hā is a Quranic manuscript in the Mingana Collection identified as having been written on the Birmingham Quran manuscript, dated 0-25 AH.

Summary

  • 1-3 The Quran an admonition from God to the faithful
  • 4-7 God one, a Sovereign King, omniscient, and possessed of most excellent names
  • The History of Moses
  • 8-10 He sees the burning bush
  • 11-12 God speaks to him out of the fire
  • 13-14 He is chosen and instructed by God
  • 15-17 The day of judgment will surely come
  • 18-24 God bestows on him signs and miracles
  • 25 He is commanded to go to Pharaoh
  • 26-35 Moses prays for the assistance of Aaron
  • 36-42 God reminds Moses of former favours
  • 43-50 He is sent with Aaron to Pharaoh
  • 51-57 Conversation between Pharaoh and Moses
  • 58-59 Pharaoh rejects Moses and accuses him of imposture
  • 60-62 Pharaoh proposes to meet Moses and Aaron with countermiracles
  • 63-64 Moses warns the magicians against deception
  • 65 The magicians dispute among themselves
  • 66 They counsel Pharaoh against Moses
  • 67 Pharaoh encourages the magicians to do their best
  • 68-72 The contest between Moses and the magicians
  • 73 The magicians are converted
  • 74-75 Pharaoh threatens the magicians with dire punishment
  • 75-76 The magicians defy the wrath of Pharaoh, and express hope in God
  • 77-80 God commands Moses to lead the Israelites through the Red Sea
  • 81 Pharaoh pursues them, and is overwhelmed by the sea
  • 82-83 God feeds the Israelites on manna and quails in the desert
  • 83-84 God's treatment of the unbelieving and penitent
  • 85-87 The Israelites worship a golden calf
  • 88-89 Moses reproaches them with idolatry
  • 90-91 They lay the blame on Samiri
  • 92-93 The people disobey Aaron
  • 94-95 Moses rebukes Aaron—his apology
  • 96 Sámirí's explanation of his conduct 97-98 Sámirí's doom to social ostracism
  • 102-107 The resurrection and the conduct of those judged on the judgment-day
  • 108 No intercession on that day, except by permission
  • 109-111 The fate of the wicked and reward of the righteous
  • 112-114 The Quran made easy for Muhammad, but he is not to be hasty in repeating it
  • The Story of Adam
  • 115 Adam broke God's covenant
  • 116 All the angels prostrate to Adam except Iblís
  • 117 Adam warned against Satan
  • 118-119 Adam and Eve will never struggle in Jannah
  • 120 Satan beguiles Adam and Eve
  • 121 Adam disobeys God
  • 122-123 God pardons, but expels them from Paradise
  • 124 An admonition promised, with penalty of rejection of it
  • 125-127 Infidels will appear in the judgment blind, and reasons for blindness
  • 128-129 The Makkans warned
  • 130-132 Muhammad comforted and encouraged
  • 133-134 The Jews demand a sign, and the Quraish disbelieve
  • 135 God directs Muhammad to proclaim his readiness to wait the final issue of the controversy between them

Structure

The first two words of Chapter 20 are Ṭā Hā.

Sura 20 focuses upon one theme, and is structured in such a way as to reinforce this theme repeatedly. Sura 20 begins with an introduction which proclaims the greatness of God. In the body of the sura, there are two distinct stories, one about Moses and one about Adam, each of which is broken into smaller sections. Both stories are prefaced by instructions from God to Muhammad, and followed by a discussion of judgment day and the punishment of the disbelievers. To conclude the sura, there is another section restating and reinforcing the main theme, followed by a brief instruction to Muhammad. This repetitive pattern is what Carl W. Ernst terms the ring structure in his book "How to Read the Qur'an".

Verses 2–3: "It was not to distress you [Prophet] that We sent down the Qur'an to you, but as a reminder for those who hold God in awe…"

99–113 Judgment day and the disbelievers' punishment

This section again refers to the revealed nature of the Quran, and discusses the Day of Judgment. It gives a brief description of the events that will take place on judgment day. Disbelievers will be punished, but believers need not fear. This account of judgment day is an example of the eschatological nature of the Quran, as described by Angelika Neuwirth.