Al-Zalzalah


Al-Zalzalah is the 99th chapter of the Qur'an, composed of 8 ayat or verses. Although it is usually classified as a Medinan surah, the period during which the surah was revealed is not unanimously agreed upon by Qur'anic exegetes. The topic is a coming Day of Judgement for humans.

Summary

  • 1-5 The judgment-day shall be ushered in by a final earthquake
  • 6-8 Men shall be judged according to their deeds
The surah begins by describing how on the Day of Judgment, the Earth will give off a terrible earthquake and "throw up her burdens". Through the inspiration of God, the Earth will bear witness to the actions of men it has witnessed. According to Michael Sells, the earth opening up and bearing forth her secrets in this sura is indicative of a birth metaphor. The earth al-'Ard in the feminine gender bears forth of how her lord revealed the final secret to her. Human beings will then realize that the moment of accountability has arrived. This meticulous accountability will reflect good and evil deeds that might have seemed insignificant at the time.
The two concluding verses state that all men will be sorted out into groups according to their deeds, and they will see the consequence of everything they have done; every atom's weight of good or evil:

Text

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1.

When the earth is shaken with its earthquake
2.

And the earth discharges its burdens
3.

And man says,"What is with it?" -
4.

That Day, it will report its news
5.

Because your Lord has inspired it.
6.

That Day, the people will depart separated to be shown their deeds.
7.

So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,
8.

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.