سُوْرَةُ عَبَسَ

Surah Abasa (80) — Ayah 26

He frowned · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 585

ثُمَّ شَقَقْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ شَقًّا ﴿26﴾
And We split the earth in clefts.
ثُمَّ thumma Then
شَقَقْنَا shaqaqnā We cleaved
ٱلْأَرْضَ l-arḍa the earth
شَقًّۭا shaqqan splitting

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 26){ ثُمَّ شَقَقْنَا الْاَرْضَ شَقًّا : ’’ شَقًّا ‘‘} A kind of splitting, that is, We split the earth in a wondrous manner. The sprout that emerges from the seed could never come out of the earth by itself; We placed in the earth the necessary softness and moisture, and in the seed this power, so that it split the earth and came out.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

26. Then He split the earth in a wondrous way [17].

[17]
The Effect of Rain on the Earth:

That is, if a person were to reflect even on the things he eats, he would never dare to be ungrateful to his Lord. Man's task is only to place the seed just below the surface of the earth. After that, his work is finished. Whether man does this by plowing the land or by some other means. Causing rain to fall upon the earth is Allah's work. Sometimes this rainwater is obtained from streams, rivers, and canals, and sometimes from springs and wells. In any case, it is stored rainwater.

Growth in the Earth:

When water and the surface of the earth meet, Allah Almighty has placed such a property in that soil that it opens up the seed. Life stirs in this dead and lifeless seed, and it takes the form of a sprout.

The Characteristics of the Tree in the Seed:

Then in this soft and delicate sprout, which cannot even withstand a slight gust of wind, Allah Almighty has filled so much power of growth that after two or three days, the sprout bursts through the earth above it and emerges from within the ground just as a child emerges from its mother's womb. Then this seed gradually becomes a complete plant or a sturdy tree. Now the question is, if Allah Almighty had not placed the capacity for growth in the earth, or had not placed all those characteristics in the seed that are found in its plant or tree, or had not sent down rain, would man have any means by which he could obtain his food?