❀ Tafsīr of Sūrah al-Qāriʿah and the Terrifying Scenes of the Day of Judgement ❀
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
Sūrah al-Qāriʿah is a Makkan sūrah consisting of 11 verses, centered on the dreadful scenes of the Day of Judgement and the final fate of mankind. It paints a vivid picture of chaos, reckoning, and eternal consequences.
“The Striking Calamity!”
Tafsīr:
Al-Qāriʿah is one of the names of Qiyāmah (the Day of Judgement). The root word qarʿ implies a powerful blow or strike. The Day of Judgement will be like a terrifying blast, tearing the sky, shaking the earth, and throwing mankind into panic.
“What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what the Striking Calamity is?”
Tafsīr:
Allah uses a rhetorical question to awaken attention and emphasize the horror of the event. The phrase “وَمَا أَدْرَىٰكَ” shows that the reality of Qiyāmah is beyond human imagination unless explained by Allah Himself.
“It is the Day when people will be like scattered moths.”
Tafsīr:
Moths flitter around light, confused and uncoordinated. On the Day of Judgement, people will be in a similar state—bewildered, scattered, and directionless, consumed by fear and chaos.
“And the mountains will be like fluffed wool.”
Tafsīr:
The solid and towering mountains of today will become weightless and scattered like carded colored wool, blown away by violent winds—signifying complete destruction of worldly stability.
“Then as for the one whose scales are heavy (with good deeds).”
Tafsīr:
“Mawāzīn” refers to the scales of deeds on the Day of Judgement. Whoever’s good deeds outweigh the bad ones will be among the successful.
“He will live a life of contentment.”
Tafsīr:
He will enjoy the delights of Paradise—eternal peace, joy, and satisfaction. “Rāḍiyah” implies a life free of sorrow, pain, or regret.
“But as for him whose scales are light.”
Tafsīr:
Those whose good deeds are few, while sins are plenty—will be at great loss on that Day. Their destination will be terrifying.
“Then his refuge will be the abyss.”
Tafsīr:
“Ummuhu” literally means “his mother”, symbolizing a place of return and refuge. But in this context, it means Hell will embrace him like a mother, engulfing him completely.
“Hāwiyah” is one of the names of Hell, indicating deepness and intense heat.
“And what can make you know what it is?”
Tafsīr:
Another question to highlight the severity and horror of this destination.
“It is a blazing Fire.”
Tafsīr:
“Ḥāmiyah” refers to a fiercely burning fire, beyond imagination, the kind that inflicts unbearable punishment. This is the final abode for those who fail to prepare for the Hereafter.
Salvation lies in righteous deeds, not wealth, lineage, or status.
Account yourself today, so your scale of deeds is heavy tomorrow.
Obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is the path to Paradise.
This sūrah is a powerful reminder to prepare for the Day of Reckoning.
May Allah grant us the ability to perform righteous deeds and enter Paradise on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Introduction to Sūrah al-Qāriʿah
Sūrah al-Qāriʿah is a Makkan sūrah consisting of 11 verses, centered on the dreadful scenes of the Day of Judgement and the final fate of mankind. It paints a vivid picture of chaos, reckoning, and eternal consequences.
❖ Tafsīr of the Verses
① "ٱلْقَارِعَةُ"
“The Striking Calamity!”
Tafsīr:
Al-Qāriʿah is one of the names of Qiyāmah (the Day of Judgement). The root word qarʿ implies a powerful blow or strike. The Day of Judgement will be like a terrifying blast, tearing the sky, shaking the earth, and throwing mankind into panic.
②–③ "مَا ٱلْقَارِعَةُ. وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْقَارِعَةُ"
“What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what the Striking Calamity is?”
Tafsīr:
Allah uses a rhetorical question to awaken attention and emphasize the horror of the event. The phrase “وَمَا أَدْرَىٰكَ” shows that the reality of Qiyāmah is beyond human imagination unless explained by Allah Himself.
④ "يَوْمَ يَكُونُ ٱلنَّاسُ كَٱلْفَرَاشِ ٱلْمَبْثُوثِ"
“It is the Day when people will be like scattered moths.”
Tafsīr:
Moths flitter around light, confused and uncoordinated. On the Day of Judgement, people will be in a similar state—bewildered, scattered, and directionless, consumed by fear and chaos.
⑤ "وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ ٱلْمَنفُوشِ"
“And the mountains will be like fluffed wool.”
Tafsīr:
The solid and towering mountains of today will become weightless and scattered like carded colored wool, blown away by violent winds—signifying complete destruction of worldly stability.
⑥ "فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُ"
“Then as for the one whose scales are heavy (with good deeds).”
Tafsīr:
“Mawāzīn” refers to the scales of deeds on the Day of Judgement. Whoever’s good deeds outweigh the bad ones will be among the successful.
⑦ "فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍۢ رَّاضِيَةٍ"
“He will live a life of contentment.”
Tafsīr:
He will enjoy the delights of Paradise—eternal peace, joy, and satisfaction. “Rāḍiyah” implies a life free of sorrow, pain, or regret.
⑧ "وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُ"
“But as for him whose scales are light.”
Tafsīr:
Those whose good deeds are few, while sins are plenty—will be at great loss on that Day. Their destination will be terrifying.
⑨ "وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُ"
“Then his refuge will be the abyss.”
Tafsīr:
“Ummuhu” literally means “his mother”, symbolizing a place of return and refuge. But in this context, it means Hell will embrace him like a mother, engulfing him completely.
“Hāwiyah” is one of the names of Hell, indicating deepness and intense heat.
⑩ "وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا هِيَهْ"
“And what can make you know what it is?”
Tafsīr:
Another question to highlight the severity and horror of this destination.
⑪ "نَارٌۭ حَامِيَةٌۭ"
“It is a blazing Fire.”
Tafsīr:
“Ḥāmiyah” refers to a fiercely burning fire, beyond imagination, the kind that inflicts unbearable punishment. This is the final abode for those who fail to prepare for the Hereafter.
❖ Summary of the Sūrah
- Qiyāmah will arrive like a sudden, crashing calamity.
- Humanity will be like scattered moths, and even mountains will disintegrate like wool.
- Scales of deeds will determine success or loss.
- The righteous will enter Paradise, while the wicked will be cast into Hellfire.
❖ Lessons and Reflections
Salvation lies in righteous deeds, not wealth, lineage, or status. Account yourself today, so your scale of deeds is heavy tomorrow. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is the path to Paradise. This sūrah is a powerful reminder to prepare for the Day of Reckoning.❀ Supplication:
May Allah grant us the ability to perform righteous deeds and enter Paradise on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
