Surah Al-Zalzalah (Arabic: الزلزلة) is the 99th surah of the Qur'an, consisting of 8 verses. It is a Meccan surah, revealed before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated to Medina. This surah describes the events of the Day of Judgment, focusing on the momentous earthquake and the consequences of human deeds.
Revelation:
There is no specific widely cited incident for the revelation of Surah Al-Zalzalah, but it addresses two main themes: first, the commonly asked question about the timing of the Day of Judgment, since many disbelievers deny its occurrence; and second, the concept of reward and punishment based on one's deeds no matter how small, which they also rejected.
During the early period of Islam, many verses were revealed to provide vivid descriptions of the Last Day and the afterlife. Surah Al-Zalzalah is one such surah, meant to remind the believers and non-believers alike of the consequences of their actions and to emphasize the importance of justice.
The Timing of The Day of Judgement:
The disbelievers frequently asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about the exact timing and occurrence of the Day of Judgment. Allah ﷻ responded to their inquiries in the Qur'an, as seen in verses such as:
In response, Allah ﷻ revealed Surah Al-Zalzalah, it does not specify the exact time or date of the event, as this knowledge is known only to Allah ﷻ, but the surah outlines some signs of the Day of Judgment.
Every Deed Counts:
On the matter of accountability for one's deeds, Allah ﷻ revealed verses in Surah Al Zalzalah to encourage even the smallest acts of goodness, which can multiply and increase, and to warn against disregarding small sins, as they may accumulate and become significant, as no deed goes unnoticed by Allah ﷻ.
It was narrated that a man used to be approached by a person asking for charity, but the man would consider giving something small, like a date, a piece of bread, or a nut, to be insignificant and of no help at all, so he refrained from giving. Several hadiths were made to clarify the opposite, the Prophet ﷺ said:
- "The most beloved deeds to Allah ﷻ are those that are done consistently, even if they are small."
- "Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of a date as charity."
- "Do not disdain a good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face."
Similarly, there was another man who often belittled minor sins, such as lying, backbiting, and not lowering his gaze, believing that Allah ﷻ only reserved punishment in the Fire for those who committed major sins. Once more, the surah addresses these matters, and several hadiths exist that explain the opposite. The Prophet ﷺ says:
“Beware of belittling sins, for they accumulate until they destroy a person. The example of this is like a people who stopped in a valley, and one of them brought a stick, and another brought a stick, until they gathered enough to cook their food. Such is the case with small sins; they accumulate until they destroy the sinner.”
When a person thinks of a sin as "small" or insignificant, it reflects a lack of fear and humility toward Allah ﷻ, which can turn even minor sins into something major. On the other hand, when someone views even a minor sin with deep remorse and seeks forgiveness, it is seen in a positive light, and Allah ﷻ may forgive them due to their sincerity.
Translation:
- Verse 1: When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake
- Verse 2: And the earth discharges its burdens
- Verse 3: And man says, "What is [the matter] with it?"
- Verse 4: That Day, it will report its news (recount the events that occurred on it)
- Verse 5: Because your Lord has commanded it.
- Verse 6: On that Day, people will come forward, separated from one another, to be shown their deeds.
- Verse 7: So whoever has done an atom's weight of good will see it,
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Verse 8: And whoever has done an atom's weight of evil will see it.
In Depth:
1. A Great Earthquake: This earthquake is described as a final cataclysmic event, unlike any earthquake experienced in the world before. It will shake the entire earth violently, signifying the beginning of the end. This earthquake represents one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment, when the world as we know it will be destroyed.
2. The Earth Discharging Its Burdens: This phrase can be understood in two ways:- The earth will "discharge" all that it contains, including the dead, who will be resurrected from their graves. This signifies the moment when the dead will rise for judgment.
- Additionally, it can refer to the earth giving up everything hidden within it, including deeds, wealth, and secrets, which will be exposed for judgment.
3. Human Confusion and Bewilderment: People will feel panic and confusion when they witness these events. The sheer magnitude of the earthquake and the events that follow will leave humans in shock, and they will question what is happening. It illustrates the fear and disorientation people will experience during the final earthquake.
4. The Earth Testifying: On the Day of Judgment, the earth itself will "speak" and testify about everything that took place on it. This includes the actions of people, both good and bad. The concept of the earth reporting its news implies that nothing will remain concealed — every action will be revealed and accounted for. This is one of the profound signs of the final judgment, where even inanimate objects like the earth will bear witness to human deeds.
5. The Separation of People: On the Day of Judgment, each individual will face their judgement separately, and people in general will be divided into groups according to the nature of their actions in the world. Those who did good deeds will be rewarded, and those who committed evil will face consequences. This separation and categorization will be based on divine justice, where no deed, no matter how small, will be overlooked.
6. The Judgment of Even the Smallest Actions: The last verses of the surah reinforce the idea that even the smallest actions will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. Both good and evil deeds, regardless of their size, will be brought to light and judged. This is a clear sign of the meticulous justice of the Day of Judgment, where no action, no matter how insignificant, will escape divine attention.
"There is no activity you may be engaged in ˹O Prophet˺ or portion of the Quran you may be reciting, nor any deed you ˹all˺ may be doing except that We are a Witness over you while doing it. Not ˹even˺ an atom’s weight is hidden from your Lord on earth or in heaven; nor anything smaller or larger than that, but is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record." - Surah Yunus, verse 61.
Science Ahead of its Time:
Modern science explains that earthquakes happen because of the movement of tectonic plates, which are large pieces of Earth's crust. When these plates move, they release a lot of energy, causing the ground to shake and shift. This can be thought of as the Earth "discharging its burdens," similar to how the Quran describes the Earth "shaking" and "discharging its burdens", as the Holy Quran is known to carry multiple meanings within the same verse.
The Quran, revealed in the 7th century CE, mentions these concepts long before scientists fully understood them. The detailed description of earthquakes in the Quran matches what we now know about how the Earth works, even though the science behind it only developed over the last 200 years. So, the Quranic description of earthquakes seems to be about 1,200 to 1,400 years ahead of its time, showing a surprising link between ancient texts and modern scientific knowledge.
Merits:
- Surah Al Zalzalah is one of the surahs most commonly recited to ward off and cure spiritual illnesses.
- It uncovers hidden truths and mysteries, exposes wrongdoing and harm, and serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy.
Translation and Pronunciation:
In the video below is a recitation that includes pronunciation and English translation. Kindly do not forget to leave a Like and subscribe to their channel.
