Al-Zalzalah | The Earthquake
[99:1] When the earth will be trembled with its quake,
[99:2] and the earth will bring forth its burdens,
[99:3] and man will say, What has happened to it?
[99:4] That day it will describe all its happenings,
[99:5] because its Lord will have so commanded it.
[99:6] That day the people will come back (from the place of reckoning) in different groups, so that they may be shown (the fruits of) their deeds.
[99:7] So, whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.
[99:8] And whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.
[99:1] When the earth will be trembled with its quake,
[99:2] and the earth will bring forth its burdens,
[99:3] and man will say, What has happened to it?
[99:4] That day it will describe all its happenings,
[99:5] because its Lord will have so commanded it.
[99:6] That day the people will come back (from the place of reckoning) in different groups, so that they may be shown (the fruits of) their deeds.
[99:7] So, whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.
[99:8] And whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Zalzalah
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Zalzalah is the 99th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Zalzalah” translates to “The Earthquake,” referring to the seismic event described in the surah that symbolizes the profound disturbances accompanying the Day of Judgment.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 8 verses. It vividly describes the events of the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the earth’s testimony and the detailed accountability of human deeds.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the cataclysmic changes of the Day of Judgment, the comprehensive accounting of every minor and major deed, and the inevitability of recompense based on one’s actions.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Zalzalah is significant for its concise yet powerful portrayal of the final judgment, serving as a reminder of the moral responsibilities and the ultimate accountability that every individual faces.
Detailed Explanation
- The Earthquake and Its Implications: The surah starts by depicting a massive earthquake, causing the earth to throw up its burdens, symbolizing the day when hidden deeds and secrets will be exposed for divine judgment.
- Human Reactions: It describes human bewilderment at the earth’s convulsions, reflecting the confusion and awe that people will experience on witnessing these unprecedented events.
- Detailed Accountability: The surah emphasizes that all actions, whether minor or major, will be brought to account, illustrating the meticulous nature of divine justice on the Day of Judgment.
- Consequences of Deeds: The final verses depict the sorting of individuals based on their deeds, leading them to their rightful destinations—paradise or hell—based on their earthly conduct.
- Call to Righteousness: Through its vivid portrayal of judgment, the surah serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of earthly life and the importance of living righteously to achieve success in the hereafter.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Al-Zalzalah named “The Earthquake”?
- The surah is named “Al-Zalzalah” because it centers on the metaphor of an earthquake to describe the tumultuous events of the Day of Judgment, highlighting the upheaval and transformation of the entire creation.
- What does the surah reveal about the Day of Judgment?
- It reveals the profound disturbances and the detailed accounting of deeds, emphasizing the seriousness of that day and the ultimate revelation of every individual’s actions.
- How does the surah illustrate divine justice?
- Divine justice is illustrated through the comprehensive accounting of every small and large deed, showing that nothing escapes God’s knowledge, and every person will be judged with utmost fairness.
- What moral lesson can be derived from Surah Al-Zalzalah?
- The moral lesson is the importance of mindfulness regarding one’s actions, as even the smallest deed will be accounted for, urging individuals to live a life of righteousness and awareness of the eventual divine scrutiny.
- The surah is named “Al-Zalzalah” because it centers on the metaphor of an earthquake to describe the tumultuous events of the Day of Judgment, highlighting the upheaval and transformation of the entire creation.
- It reveals the profound disturbances and the detailed accounting of deeds, emphasizing the seriousness of that day and the ultimate revelation of every individual’s actions.
- Divine justice is illustrated through the comprehensive accounting of every small and large deed, showing that nothing escapes God’s knowledge, and every person will be judged with utmost fairness.
- The moral lesson is the importance of mindfulness regarding one’s actions, as even the smallest deed will be accounted for, urging individuals to live a life of righteousness and awareness of the eventual divine scrutiny.
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