Overview - Surah 99: Az-Zalzala (The Earthquake )
This Surah talks about the life after death and that all deeds will be exposed on the Day of Judgment. It takes its name after the first Ayat, إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا "When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake." [99:1]
There are 8 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 8 |
| Total Words * | 36 |
| Root Words * | 20 |
| Unique Root Words * | 0 |
| Makki / Madani | Madani |
| Chronological Order* | 93rd (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 5th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
2nd Migration to Abyssinia,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
Earth (condition of at the time of resurrection) , Earthquake, Judgement (Day)
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Its theme is the second life after death and presentation in it, before man, of the full record of the deeds done by him in the world. In the first three sentences it has been told briefly how the second life after death will take place and how confounding it will be for man. In the next two sentences it has been said that this very earth on which man has lived and performed all kinds of deeds thoughtlessly, and about which he never could fancy that this lifeless thing would at some time in the future bear witness to his deeds, will speak out on that Day by God’s command and will state in respect of each individual person what act he had committed at a particular time and place. Then, it has been said that men on that Day, rising from their graves, will come out in their varied groups from all corners of the earth, to be shown their deeds and works, and their presentation of the deeds will be so complete and detailed that not an atom’s weight of any good or evil act will be left unnoticed or hidden from his eyes.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- مَنْ قَرَأَ إِذَا زُلْزِلَتْ عُدِلَتْ لَهُ بِنِصْفِ الْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ قَرَأَْ قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ) عُدِلَتْ لَهُ بِرُبْعِ الْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ قَرَأَْ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) عُدِلَتْ لَهُ بِثُلُثِ الْقُرْآنِ "
Narrated Anas bin Malik: "That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Idha Zulzilat, it equals half of the Qur'an for him. Whoever recites: Qul Ya Ayyuhal-Kafirun it equals a fourth of the Qur'an for him. And whoever recites: Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad it equals a third of the Qur'an for him." Tirmidhee no. 2893
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عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ أَقْرِئْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ " اقْرَأْ ثَلاَثًا مِنْ ذَوَاتِ الرَّاءِ " . فَقَالَ كَبِرَتْ سِنِّي وَاشْتَدَّ قَلْبِي وَغَلُظَ لِسَانِي . قَالَ " فَاقْرَأْ ثَلاَثًا مِنْ ذَوَاتِ حم " . فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ . فَقَالَ " اقْرَأْ ثَلاَثًا مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحَاتِ " . فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِهِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَقْرِئْنِي سُورَةً جَامِعَةً . فَأَقْرَأَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم { إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الأَرْضُ } حَتَّى فَرَغَ مِنْهَا . فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ لاَ أَزِيدُ عَلَيْهَا أَبَدًا ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَفْلَحَ الرُّوَيْجِلُ " . مَرَّتَيْنِ
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: "A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "Teach me to read the Qur'an, Messenger of Allah." He said: "Read three surahs which begin with A.L.R." He said: "My age is advanced, my mind has become dull (i.e. memory has grown weak), and my tongue has grown heavy)." So he said: "Then read three surahs which begin with H.M." He repeated the same words. So he said: "Read three surahs which begin with the "Glorification of Allah"." But he repeated the same excuse. The man then said: "Teach me a comprehensive surah, Messenger of Allah." The Prophet (ﷺ) taught him Surah (99). "When the Earth is shaken with her earthquake". When he finished it, the man said: "By Him Who sent you with truth, I shall never add anything to it." Then man then went away. The Prophet (ﷺ) said twice: "The man received salvation."" Sunan Abu Dawud no. 1399 -
عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، مِنْ جُهَيْنَةَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الصُّبْحِ { إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الأَرْضُ } فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كِلْتَيْهِمَا فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَنَسِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمْ قَرَأَ ذَلِكَ عَمْدًا
Narrated Mu'adh ibn Abdullah al-Juhani: "A man of Juhaynah told him that he had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting "When the earth is shaken" (Surah 99) in both rak'ahs of the morning prayer. But I do not know whether he had forgotten, or whether he recited it on purpose." Sunan Abu Dawud no. 816
123 Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) * | ||
On the Day of Judgement, the earth will report whatever happened on her and human beings shall be shown their Books of Deeds.
Tafsir Zone
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The Results of a Life’s Work When the earth is rocked by her [final] earthquake, when the earth shakes off her burdens, and man asks: ‘What is the matter with her?’ On that day she will tell her news, for your Lord will have inspired her. (Verses 1-5) It is the Day of Judgement when the firm earth trembles and quakes violently and yields up her long-carried loads of bodies and metals and other matters which have weighed heavily on her. It is a scene that makes every firm and solid object under the feet of the listeners shake and totter. They think themselves to be staggering and toddling along and the earth beneath them shuddering and quaking. It is a scene which separates one’s heart from everything on earth it clings to, assuming it to be firm and everlasting. The Qur’an imparts to these scenes a kind of movement which is transmitted almost to the very sinews of the listener. Such immediate impact is all the more forceful because man is portrayed as confronting and reacting to it all: “And man asks: ‘What is the matter with her?’“ (Verse 3) It is the question advanced by one who is bewildered, astonished, surprised and puzzled, who sees something unfamiliar, encounters what is imperceptible, and beholds what makes him impatient and agitated. o he blurts out: What is the matter with her? What is quaking and shaking her so violently? He cries as he reels and staggers, trying to hold on to anything which may support or keep him upright. But all around him waver and totter violently. Man has experienced earthquakes and volcanoes which have filled him with awe and ,terror, and have brought to him ruin and destruction. But when man witnesses the quake of the Day of Resurrection he will see no similarity between it and the earthquakes and volcanoes of this world. He neither knows its secrets, nor does he remember anything similar to it. It is something dreadful, taking place for the very first time. “On that day”, when this quake occurs, leaving man entirely shaken, “she will tell her news, for your Lord will have inspired her.” (Verses 4-5) This earth will then tell her news, describe her condition and what has happened to her. It will all have been brought about simply because ‘your Lord has inspired her,’ ordered her to shake and quake so fiercely and shake off her burdens. She obeys only the Lord’s orders ‘in true submission!’ (84: 5) She will relate her news because what will take place is a simple and clear account of what lies behind it of God’s orders and inspiration to the earth. At this point when man is astonished, puzzled and crying out, and as the rhythm gasps with dread and terror, surprise and wonder, tottering and shuddering, crying out: What is the matter with her? What has happened to her? — at this point he encounters the scene of resurrection, reckoning, weighing and recompense. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another, to be shown their deeds. Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it then, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it then also.” (Verses 6-8) In the twinkling of an eye we behold people rising from their graves. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another.” (Verse 6) We behold them issuing forth from all over the globe: “as if they were swarming locusts.” (54: 7) This scene is also unknown to man, it is something unprecedented, unique in nature. “On that day, the Earth will split asunder and they will come out in haste.” (50: 44) Wherever you look you behold a ghost hurrying away, caring for nothing and never looking back or turning his head left or right. They all are “rushing to the summoner,” (54: 8), with their heads down and their eyes staring forward, “for each one of them will on that day have enough preoccupations of his own.” (80: 37) It is a scene indescribable in human language. It is both ghastly and astonishing. All these adjectives and all their synonymous and analogous terms cannot describe it. It would be better conceived with a stretch of imagination and contemplation within the limits and capacity of our minds. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another, to be shown their deeds.” (Verse 6) This is far more terrible and dreadful. People go to where they will be shown their deeds. They have to face their deeds and their rewards or punishments. Encountering one’s own deeds may, sometimes, be far more severe than any other punishment. Man sometimes does things which he avoids even thinking about when he is alone. In a spell of repentance and remorse, man may even turn his face from some of his deeds because they are so ghastly. o, in what condition will he be on that day when he faces his deeds in front of all mankind and in the presence of God Almighty? It is a terrible and frightful punishment, although it is only that they are shown their deeds and have to confront their labours. However, following this confrontation comes the accurate reckoning which does not leave out an atom’s weight of good or evil. “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it then, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it then also.” (Verses 7-8) “An atom’s weight!” Early commentators on the Qur’an explain this phrase as “a mosquito” or “a particle of dust” which can only be seen when exposed to sunlight. These were the smallest things they could think of, and which may be referred to as an atom. But now we know that the word ‘atom’ refers to a definite thing which is much smaller than a particle of dust seen in sunlight. For the particle of dust can be seen by the human eye while it is impossible to see the atom, even with the help of the most powerful microscopes in modern laboratories. It is only conceived by scientists. None of them has seen it either with his own eyes or with his microscope. All that they have seen is its effects. This atom, or what is similar to it in weight, whether good or bad, will be brought forth and shown to its doer, who will then receive its reward. At that time man does not undervalue any of his actions and deeds, whether good or bad. He does not say, “Oh, this is a trivial thing which has no weight or consideration.” On the contrary, his conscience will be as sensitive to everything he has done as an accurate scale registering even the weight of an atom favourably or unfavourably. There is nothing parallel or similar to this measure in this world, except the heart of a believer. Such a heart is sensitive to even an atom’s weight of either good or evil. But there are some hearts in this world which are unmoved even by mountains of sin and crime. They remain unaffected while suppressing fountains of goodness which are far firmer than mountains. These hearts are conceited on this earth but on the Day of Judgement they are crushed under their own burdens. |
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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The Results of a Life’s Work When the earth is rocked by her [final] earthquake, when the earth shakes off her burdens, and man asks: ‘What is the matter with her?’ On that day she will tell her news, for your Lord will have inspired her. (Verses 1-5) It is the Day of Judgement when the firm earth trembles and quakes violently and yields up her long-carried loads of bodies and metals and other matters which have weighed heavily on her. It is a scene that makes every firm and solid object under the feet of the listeners shake and totter. They think themselves to be staggering and toddling along and the earth beneath them shuddering and quaking. It is a scene which separates one’s heart from everything on earth it clings to, assuming it to be firm and everlasting. The Qur’an imparts to these scenes a kind of movement which is transmitted almost to the very sinews of the listener. Such immediate impact is all the more forceful because man is portrayed as confronting and reacting to it all: “And man asks: ‘What is the matter with her?’“ (Verse 3) It is the question advanced by one who is bewildered, astonished, surprised and puzzled, who sees something unfamiliar, encounters what is imperceptible, and beholds what makes him impatient and agitated. o he blurts out: What is the matter with her? What is quaking and shaking her so violently? He cries as he reels and staggers, trying to hold on to anything which may support or keep him upright. But all around him waver and totter violently. Man has experienced earthquakes and volcanoes which have filled him with awe and ,terror, and have brought to him ruin and destruction. But when man witnesses the quake of the Day of Resurrection he will see no similarity between it and the earthquakes and volcanoes of this world. He neither knows its secrets, nor does he remember anything similar to it. It is something dreadful, taking place for the very first time. “On that day”, when this quake occurs, leaving man entirely shaken, “she will tell her news, for your Lord will have inspired her.” (Verses 4-5) This earth will then tell her news, describe her condition and what has happened to her. It will all have been brought about simply because ‘your Lord has inspired her,’ ordered her to shake and quake so fiercely and shake off her burdens. She obeys only the Lord’s orders ‘in true submission!’ (84: 5) She will relate her news because what will take place is a simple and clear account of what lies behind it of God’s orders and inspiration to the earth. At this point when man is astonished, puzzled and crying out, and as the rhythm gasps with dread and terror, surprise and wonder, tottering and shuddering, crying out: What is the matter with her? What has happened to her? — at this point he encounters the scene of resurrection, reckoning, weighing and recompense. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another, to be shown their deeds. Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it then, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it then also.” (Verses 6-8) In the twinkling of an eye we behold people rising from their graves. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another.” (Verse 6) We behold them issuing forth from all over the globe: “as if they were swarming locusts.” (54: 7) This scene is also unknown to man, it is something unprecedented, unique in nature. “On that day, the Earth will split asunder and they will come out in haste.” (50: 44) Wherever you look you behold a ghost hurrying away, caring for nothing and never looking back or turning his head left or right. They all are “rushing to the summoner,” (54: 8), with their heads down and their eyes staring forward, “for each one of them will on that day have enough preoccupations of his own.” (80: 37) It is a scene indescribable in human language. It is both ghastly and astonishing. All these adjectives and all their synonymous and analogous terms cannot describe it. It would be better conceived with a stretch of imagination and contemplation within the limits and capacity of our minds. “On that day people will come forward, separated from one another, to be shown their deeds.” (Verse 6) This is far more terrible and dreadful. People go to where they will be shown their deeds. They have to face their deeds and their rewards or punishments. Encountering one’s own deeds may, sometimes, be far more severe than any other punishment. Man sometimes does things which he avoids even thinking about when he is alone. In a spell of repentance and remorse, man may even turn his face from some of his deeds because they are so ghastly. o, in what condition will he be on that day when he faces his deeds in front of all mankind and in the presence of God Almighty? It is a terrible and frightful punishment, although it is only that they are shown their deeds and have to confront their labours. However, following this confrontation comes the accurate reckoning which does not leave out an atom’s weight of good or evil. “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it then, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it then also.” (Verses 7-8) “An atom’s weight!” Early commentators on the Qur’an explain this phrase as “a mosquito” or “a particle of dust” which can only be seen when exposed to sunlight. These were the smallest things they could think of, and which may be referred to as an atom. But now we know that the word ‘atom’ refers to a definite thing which is much smaller than a particle of dust seen in sunlight. For the particle of dust can be seen by the human eye while it is impossible to see the atom, even with the help of the most powerful microscopes in modern laboratories. It is only conceived by scientists. None of them has seen it either with his own eyes or with his microscope. All that they have seen is its effects. This atom, or what is similar to it in weight, whether good or bad, will be brought forth and shown to its doer, who will then receive its reward. At that time man does not undervalue any of his actions and deeds, whether good or bad. He does not say, “Oh, this is a trivial thing which has no weight or consideration.” On the contrary, his conscience will be as sensitive to everything he has done as an accurate scale registering even the weight of an atom favourably or unfavourably. There is nothing parallel or similar to this measure in this world, except the heart of a believer. Such a heart is sensitive to even an atom’s weight of either good or evil. But there are some hearts in this world which are unmoved even by mountains of sin and crime. They remain unaffected while suppressing fountains of goodness which are far firmer than mountains. These hearts are conceited on this earth but on the Day of Judgement they are crushed under their own burdens. |
- Surah 99. Az-Zalzalah - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqLGDD68vF0&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=99
- Surah 99. Az-Zalzalah Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft9TGHB-tUo&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=99
- Surah 99. Az-Zalzalah Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdW185QqatE&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=99
- Surah 99. Az-Zalzalah Idris Akbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEdoHGsW-k8&index=69&list=PLZH6sOiOuaDZFls6OaNna68fGgDtm-tOO
- Surah 99. Az-Zalzalah Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN3Kewjdn9s&index=99&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
