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Surah 099 of 114

سورة الزلزلة

Az-Zalzala

8 verses · tap any ayah to deep-dive

Ayat 1

إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا.(1)

When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake(1) [Az-Zalzala: 1]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 1

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake(1)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

To the ordinary human observer a violent earthquake is a terrifying phenomenon. in its suddenness. in its origin , 311(1 in its power to destroy 3nd uproot the strongest buildings and to bring up strange materials from the bowels of the earth. The Overwhelming Event (S.lxxxviii) which ushers in the Judgment will be a bigger and more far-reaching convulsion than any earthquakes that we know. And yet the incidents of earthquakes may give us some idea of that supreme world-shaking Event.

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

When the earth will be trembled with its quake

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said about the interpretation of Allah's saying (When Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake): '(When Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake) He says: the earth is shaken and quaking and all that which is on it of trees, mountains and building is crumbling down

Tafseer Jalalain

When earth is shaken, [when] it is rocked for the rising of the Hour, with its [final] quake, with its most violent rocking, one that befits its magnitude,

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

It is not clear whether this earthquake refers to the convulsion that will take place in the world before the 'first blowing of the trumpet', as is mentioned in connection with the portents of the Doomsday, or it refers to the quake that will occur after the 'second blowing' when the dead bodies will be resurrected and thrown out of their graves. Narratives and views of the commentators differ on this issue. It is not inconceivable that many quakes and convulsions would occur: first, before the 'first blowing'; and second, after the 'second blowing' at the time of raising the dead. Here it probably refers to the second quake, and the context supports it, because the SErah later on describes the scenes of the Day of Resurrection, such as reckoning, weighing and evaluating of deeds, and recompense . Allah knows best. [Mazhari]

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

When the earth will be trembled with its quake,

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

The Arabic words "Zilzal" and "zilzala" refer to an earthquake. The earthquake referred to in this Surah is the earthquake that will take place on the Day of Judgment. This earthquake shall be extremely severe, as Allah mentions in the first two verses of Surah Hajj (Surah 22) where He says,"O people! Fear your Lord. The earthquake of Judgment Day is a tremendous thing indeed. The day when you will witness it, every nursing mother will forget her suckling infant and every pregnant woman will abort. And you will see people in a drunken stupor although they will not be drunk:, but Allah's punishment is severe." This earthquake will affect not only a few towns or a country, but the entire earth.

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

Zalzalah means to shake violently over and over again. Thus, zulzilat-il,ardu means that the earth will be shaken violently by convulsion after convulsion, and since shaking of the earth has been mentioned, it automatically gives the meaning that the entire earth will be shaken and not a limited territory of it. Then, in order to express the great intensity of the earthquake the word zilzalaha has been added, which literally means "its being shaken". It mean: "It will be so shaken as a huge sphere like it ought to be shaken, or shaken to its utmost intensity." Some commentators have taken it to imply the first earthquake with which the first stage of Resurrection will begin, i:e. when all living beings will perish and the present order of the world will be upset. But, according to a large section of them, ii implies the earthquake with which the second stage of Resurrection will begin, i. e. when all the former and the latter generations of mankind will rise back to life. This second commentary seems to be more correct, for the whole subsequent theme supports it.

Transliteration

Ayah 1

Itha zulzilati alardu zilzalaha

Word-by-word

Ayah 1

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 إِذَا Itha When —
2 زُلْزِلَتِ zulzilati is shaken ز ل ز ل
3 الْأَرْضُ alardu the earth أ ر ض
4 زِلْزَالَهَا zilzalaha (with) its earthquake ز ل ز ل

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Articles

Scientific Data

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

28 videos · 2 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

99 Surah Zalzalah Dr Israr Ahmed Urdu Israr Ahmed Video · youtube 99 Surah Zalzalah Dr Israr Ahmed Urdu Israr Ahmed Video · youtube 1/2- Tafseer Surah Az-Zilzal By Dr. Israr Ahmed Dr. Israr Ahmed Video · youtube 1/2- Tafseer Surah Az-Zilzal By Dr. Israr Ahmed Dr. Israr Ahmed Video · youtube Tafseer of Qur'an - Surah Az-Zalzalah & Surah Al Aadiyaat (ch 99-100) - EP 48 - Sh Assim Al Hakeem Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube Tafseer of Qur'an - Surah Az-Zalzalah & Surah Al Aadiyaat (ch 99-100) - EP 48 - Sh Assim Al Hakeem Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube The Events of the Day of Judgment, Muhammad Tim Humble, Part 1 Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube The Events of the Day of Judgment, Muhammad Tim Humble, Part 1 Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube The Basics of a Muslim Belief, The Events of the Day of Judgement, Muhammad Tim Humble, Part 2 Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube The Basics of a Muslim Belief, The Events of the Day of Judgement, Muhammad Tim Humble, Part 2 Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube DOOMSDAY 2012 - The Last Day on Earth - Tim Humble Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube DOOMSDAY 2012 - The Last Day on Earth - Tim Humble Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube End of Days - Muhammad Tim Humble [Episode-16] Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube End of Days - Muhammad Tim Humble [Episode-16] Muhammad Tim Humble Video · youtube dr. Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Bilal Philips Video · youtube dr. Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Bilal Philips Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube The Day Of Judgement ~ Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day Of Judgement ~ Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Hadith collections — 8 narrations from Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others (see Cross-references)
  11. Quranic cross-references — 8 parallel verses
  12. Linked articles — 6 long-form pieces

Ayat 2

وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا.(2)

And the earth discharges its burdens(2) [Az-Zalzala: 2]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 2

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

And the earth discharges its burdens(2)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

: and the earth brings forth its burdens, its hidden treasures and its dead, casting them onto its surface,

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

and the earth brings out all its inner burdens.

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(And Earth yieldeth up her burdens) and the Earth brings out her dead and treasures,

Tafseer Jalalain

and the earth brings forth its burdens, its hidden treasures and its dead, casting them onto its surface,

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

Muslim has recorded in his Sahih from AbE Hurairah & that the Messenger of Allah said: "The earth will throw out the pieces of its liver [contents]. Gold and silver will come out like columns. A murderer will come and say: 'I killed for this ?' The one who broke the ties of kinship will say: 'For this I severed the ties of kinship?' The thief will say: 'For this I got my hand amputated?' Then they will leave it there, and no one will take anything from it.

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

‘Burdens’ refer here to the people buried in graves and the treasures concealed in the earth. These treasures will be lying on the ground, unattended, to demonstrate their worthlessness on that day. According to an authentic hadith reported by Imam Muslim, “A murderer will come and say, ‘Is it this for which I killed?’ The one who broke the ties of kinship will come and say, ‘Is it this for which I severed the ties of kinship”’ and so on.

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

After the convulsion of the earth, corpses will be raised from their graves and ushered to the plain of resurrection. Allah Ta'ala says that on the Day of Judgment "the earth will remove her loads and man will ask, 'What is the matter with her?" On the Day of Judgment, the earth will empty her belly of all the dead and of all the treasures she hides beneath her surface. However, all this wealth will not benefit anyone. The same wealth for which man killed his brothers will now lie. (Combined tafsir of ayah 2-3)

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

This same has been expressed in Surah Al-Inshiqaq: 4, thus: "And throws out whatever is within it, and becomes empty." It has several meanings:
(1) It will cast out bodies of the dead in whatever form and state and wherever they may be lying in the earth; and the following sentence indicates that at that time all the scattered parts of the bodies will reassemble and be resurrected once again in the same form and shape as they had been in their first life, for if it were not so, how will they say: "What has happened to the earth ?" It will not only cast out the dead bodies of men but also all traces and evidences of the words, deeds and activities of their former life lying buried in it; the following sentence points out that the earth will narrate all that had happened on its back.
(2) A third meaning also has been given by some Commentators, saying that it will cast out the treasures of gold, silver, jewels and every kind of wealth lying hidden in the earth's belly and man will see it and realize how he thirsted for these things in the world: how he committed murders. thefts, robberies and piracies in the land and sea, usurped the rights of others, waged wars and devastated vast populations. On that Day all that will lie heaped up before him, yet of no avail, but will rather become a means of punishment for him.

Transliteration

Ayah 2

Waakhrajati alardu athqalaha

Word-by-word

Ayah 2

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 وَأَخْرَجَتِ Waakhrajati And brings forth خ ر ج
2 الْأَرْضُ alardu the earth أ ر ض
3 أَثْقَالَهَا athqalaha its burdens ث ق ل

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

18 videos · 4 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube They Will Be Resurrected Blind | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube They Will Be Resurrected Blind | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Hadith collections — 6 narrations from Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others (see Cross-references)
  11. Quranic cross-references — 24 parallel verses
  12. Linked articles — 6 long-form pieces

Ayat 3

وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا لَهَا.(3)

And man says, What is [wrong] with it? -(3) [Az-Zalzala: 3]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 3

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

And man says, What is [wrong] with it? -(3)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

The puzzled agony suffered by the victims of violent earthquakes is as nothing compared to the experience of the new and wonderful world which will then open out of the gaze of man.

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

man shall say: ”What is happening to it?”

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(And man) i.e. the disbeliever (saith: What aileth her?) He says this in astonishment from the horror he sees

Tafseer Jalalain

and man, the disbeliever in resurrection, says, ‘What is wrong with it?’ — in denial of that situation.

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

and man will say, "What has happened to it?" [Next tafsir starts from ayah 7]

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

and man will say, “What has happened to it?”

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

After the convulsion of the earth, corpses will be raised from their graves and ushered to the plain of resurrection. Allah Ta'ala says that on the Day of Judgment "the earth will remove her loads and man will ask, 'What is the matter with her?" On the Day of Judgment, the earth will empty her belly of all the dead and of all the treasures she hides beneath her surface. However, all this wealth will not benefit anyone. The same wealth for which man killed his brothers will now lie. (Combined tafsir of ayah 2-3)

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

Man here may as well imply every man, for after resurrection and coming to senses the first impression of every man will be as to what was happening around him; afterwards he will realize that it was the Resurrection Day. Man may also imply the man who denies the Hereafter, for what he regarded as impossible would be happening in front of him and causing him confusion and bewilderment. As for the believers, they will not be bewildered and' confused, for . everything would be taking place according to their belief and conviction. To an extent, this second meaning is supported by verse 52 of Surah Ya Sin, in which it has been said that the deniers of the Hereafter at that time will exclaim: "Ah, who has roused us from our sleeping-place?" .And the reply given would be: "This is the same which the Merciful God had promised; and the Messengers sent by God had spoken the truth." This verse does not expressly say that this answer to the disbelievers would actually be given by the believers, for there is no indication of it in the verse. The probability, however, is that the believers will give them this answer.

Transliteration

Ayah 3

Waqala alinsanu ma laha

Word-by-word

Ayah 3

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 وَقَالَ Waqala And says ق و ل
2 الْإِنسَانُ alinsanu man أ ن س
3 مَا ma What? —
4 لَهَا laha (is) with it —

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

18 videos · 4 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube They Will Be Resurrected Blind | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube They Will Be Resurrected Blind | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Quranic cross-references — 4 parallel verses
  11. Linked articles — 6 long-form pieces

Ayat 4

يَوْمَئِذٍۢ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا.(4)

That Day, it will report its news(4) [Az-Zalzala: 4]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 4

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

That Day, it will report its news(4)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

On that Day will she declare her tidings:

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

On that day, it shall report whatever had happened on it

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(That day) when the earth is shaken (she will relate her chronicles) the earth will inform about the good and evil that were done on its surface,

Tafseer Jalalain

On that day (yawma’idhin substitutes for, and is the response to, idhā, ‘when’) it shall relate its chronicles, it shall inform of the good and evil deeds committed in it,

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

That day it will describe all its happenings, [Next tafsir starts from ayah 7]

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

According to a hadith reported by Tirmidhl from Abu Hurairah the Holy Prophet explained this verse by saying. “The earth will testify about all the deeds done by any man or woman on its back.”

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

When man will stand for reckoning before Allah, he will be given his record of deeds and witnesses will attest to the deeds he committed. Among these witnesses will be the earth. Referring to this, Allah says, "On that day she will narrate her stories because your Lord will command her to do so " When the earth will do this, man will be astonished and ask, "What is the matter with her? i.e. we thought that she was lifeless. How is it that she now talks?" The earth will talk on the Day of Judgment "because your Lord will command her to do so." Just as Allah gave speech to the tongue, Allah will give speech to man's limbs as well as to the earth so that they may testify against people. Sayyidina Abu Hurayra it narrates that the Holy Prophet it once recited the verse: "On that day she will narrate her stories" and then asked the prophet's companions (Sahabah) “Do you know what "her stories" are?" The prophet's companions ( Sahabah) submitted, "Allah and His Rasul ( Prophet ) it know best." The Holy Prophet then told the prophet's companions ( Sahabah) it that the earth will testify to every act that any person committed on her back. She will specify exactly what deed was committed on which day. [Tirmidhi]

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

According to Hadrat Abu Hurairah, the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) recited this verse and asked: "Do you know what annals it will relate ?" The people said: "Allah and His Messenger have the best knowledge." Thereupon the Holy Prophet said: "The annals are that the earth will testify to the deeds which every man and woman has done on its back." She will say: "He or she had done such and such a thing on such and such a day. These will be the annals the earth will narrate." (Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Jarir, 'Abd bin Humaid, Ibn al-Mundhir, Hakim, Ibn Marduyah, Baihaqi in Ash-Sbu'ab). According to Hadrat Rabi'al-Kharashi, the Holy Prophet said: "Beware of the earth, for it is your root and basis, and there is nothing which a person does on it, and it will not report, whether it is good or bad." (Mu jam at-Tabarani). Hadrat Anas reports that the Holy Prophet said: "The earth on the Day of Resurrection will bring out every act that would have been done on its back. Then he recited these verses." (Ibn Marduyah, Baihaqi). About Hadrat 'Ali it is related that when he distributed the money of the Bait al-Mal (public treasury) among the needy ones and thus emptied it, he would perform two rakahs of the Prayer in it and say: "You will have to bear witness that I filled you with justice and emptied you with justice."
It might have been difficult for a man of ancient times to understand how the earth will speak and narrate the annals and events happening on it on the Resurrection Day, but in the present age of scientific discoveries and the inventions of cinema, loudspeaker, radio, television, tape-recorder, electronic equipment, etc., it is no longer difficult to understand how the earth will narrate its annals. The impression of whatever man speaks is preserved in the air, in the radio waves, on the particles of the walls and floors and ceilings of the houses, and on the environments of the road, plain or field if he spoke outside the house. If Allah so wills He can make these things repeat all these voices precisely in the way these were uttered in the first instance by man. Man at that time will hear with his ears and know that it was his own voice, and all his acquaintances also will testify that whatever they were hearing was the person's own voice and his own accent. Then whatever man has done anywhere on the earth, and in whatever state, has had its impression on everything of the environment and its image inscribed on it. Even if he did something in pitch dark, there are such rays in the Kingdom of God for which darkness and light make no difference; they can preserve his image in any case. All these images will pass before man on the Resurrection Day like a motion picture, and will show him when and where he had done something during his life on the earth.
The fact is that although Allah directly knows whatever a man does, yet in the Hereafter when He will establish His Court, He will punish every culprit only after fulfilling all the demands of justice. Any case which is brought before His Court against a criminal will be proved with such perfect evidence that no room will be left to doubt his being a criminal. The first and foremost evidence against him is the record in which the two recording angels are recording his each word and deed. (Qaf: 17-18, AI-Infitar: 10-12). This record will be handed over to him and he will be asked to read it, for "you yourself suffice as reckoner against yourself." (Bani Isra'il: 14). Reading it man will be bewildered, for "it has left nothing un-recorded of our deeds, small or great." (Al-Kahf: 49). Then there is man's own body which he had used in the world. In Allah's Court his own tongue will bear witness as to what he had been speaking through it in the world, his own hands and feet will bear witness as to what deeds he had committed through them (An-Nur: 24). His eyes and his ears will bear witness as to what he saw and heard by their means. Even the skin of his body will bear witness to his deeds. Bewildered he will ask his limbs, "Why have you borne witness against me?" They will reply: "The same God Who has given speech to everything has given us speech." (Ha Mim As-Sajdah: 20-22). On top of these, there will be the witnesses which will be presented from the earth and all its environments, in which man will hear his own voice by his own ears and see the exact pictures of his own deeds by his eyes. Furthermore, the ideas, motives and aims hidden in the heart of man and the intentions with which he had performed every deed will be brought out and placed before him as is stated in Surah Al-`Adiyat below. That is why with the production of such absolute, clear and undeniable proofs, man will be confounded and he will be left with no chance to say anything in self-defense to excuse himself. (Al-Mursalat 35-36)

Transliteration

Ayah 4

Yawmaithin tuhaddithu akhbaraha

Word-by-word

Ayah 4

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 يَوْمَئِذٍ Yawmaithin That Day —
2 تُحَدِّثُ tuhaddithu it will report ح د ث
3 أَخْبَارَهَا akhbaraha its news خ ب ر

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

18 videos · 4 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube The Quran Bearing Witness | Bangalore, India 2018 | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Quran Bearing Witness | Bangalore, India 2018 | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Day the Earth Speaks.... - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Day the Earth Speaks.... - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Quranic cross-references — 4 parallel verses
  11. Linked articles — 6 long-form pieces

Ayat 5

بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا.(5)

Because your Lord has commanded it.(5) [Az-Zalzala: 5]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 5

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

Because your Lord has commanded it.(5)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

The present order may be personified as the earth. It will pass away, but the Deeds done therein, even the most secret, will be brought to the full light of day. And this will be because Allah will give the Command. Ihe inspiration or Word. by which alone all events do proceed. The "inspiration" is the Command or direction conveyed by instruction breathed into the Earth personified: she is directed to tell the whole story of what she knows. Cf. xvi. 68, II. 2097.

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

For your Rabb shall have commanded it to do so.

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(Because thy Lord inspires her) because your Lord gives her leave to talk.

Tafseer Jalalain

for its Lord will have inspired it, that is, He will have commanded her to [do] this — in a hadīth [it is stated], ‘It [the earth] shall testify to every single deed committed by every servant and handmaiden upon its surface’.

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

because its Lord will have so commanded it. [Next tafsir starts from ayah 7]

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

because its Lord will have so commanded it.

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

because your Lord will command her to do so.

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

for your Lord will have commanded her (to do so).

Transliteration

Ayah 5

Bianna rabbaka awha laha

Word-by-word

Ayah 5

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 بِأَنَّ Bianna Because —
2 رَبَّكَ rabbaka your Lord ر ب ب
3 أَوْحَىٰ awha inspired و ح ي
4 لَهَا laha [to] it —

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Scientific Data

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

20 videos · 4 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE RESURRECTION BY SALIM AL AMRY IN ENGLISH Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube THE DAY OF RESURRECTION - Tim Humble Animated Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Day of Resurrection Paradise and Fire The Lecturer: Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube The Quran Bearing Witness | Bangalore, India 2018 | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Quran Bearing Witness | Bangalore, India 2018 | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Sun rising from the west with a scientific explanation Dr. Zaghloul El- Naggar(Science) Video · youtube Sun rising from the west with a scientific explanation Dr. Zaghloul El- Naggar(Science) Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Tafseer of Surah 99 - Zilzal - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube In Depth Analysis & Tafseer of Surah 99 Zilzal or al-Zalzala by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Surah Az-Zalzalah - Day 24 - Ramadan with the Quran Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Day the Earth Speaks.... - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Day the Earth Speaks.... - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Quranic cross-references — 6 parallel verses
  11. Linked articles — 4 long-form pieces

Ayat 6

يَوْمَئِذٍۢ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًۭا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ.(6)

That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.(6) [Az-Zalzala: 6]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 6

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.(6)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

In this world good and evil are mixed together. But then they will be sorted out, and each grade of good and evil will be sorted out. So they will proceed in companies to recieve judgment. And they will be shown the exact import of everything that they had thought , said or done in this life of probation, however they may have concealed or misinterpreted it in this life. Everything will be considered in taking the account. and the account will convince the persons concerned themselves.

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

On that Day, men shall proceed in sorted out groups to be shown their Deeds.

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(That day) when the earth speaks (mankind will issue forth in scattered groups) a group will go to Paradise, these are the believers, and a group will go to hell, and these are the disbelievers (to be shown their deeds) what they have done of good or evil when they were in the life of the world.

Tafseer Jalalain

On that day mankind shall issue forth, they will depart from the site of the Reckoning, in separate groups, divided up, so that those taking it [their book] by the right hand will go to Paradise, while those taking it by the left hand will go to the Fire, to be shown their deeds, that is, the requital for them, in [either] Paradise or the Fire.

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

because its Lord will have so commanded it. [Next tafsir starts from ayah 7]

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

That day the people will come back (from the place of reckoning) in different groups, so that they may be shown (the fruits of) their deeds.

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

Allah continues, "On that day people will return in different groups to witness their deeds." After completing their reckoning, people will be separated into two groups. Those destined for Heaven will be led to a road on the right of the plains of resurrection while those destined for Hell will be led to a road on the left. It is with reference to this that Allah mentions in Surah Rum, "The day when judgment day will dawn, that day will they be in different conditions. As for those who believe and do good deeds, they will be rejoicing in a garden. As for those who disbelieve and falsify Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter, these people will be exposed to punishment." [ Surah 30, verses 14-16 ] Concerning the same two groups of people on the Day of Judgment, Allah Ta'ala says in Surah Zumar, "The disbelievers will be dragged to Hell in groups" and "Those who feared their Lord will be led to Heaven in groups." [ Surah 39, verses 71,73] The day of Judgment will be frightful when people will be separated into these two groups and the sinners will be told, "Separate yourselves today, O you criminals!" The pious will then be left on their own to enter happily into Heaven. Allah says that the two groups will proceed "to witness their deeds" i.e. to witness the consequences of their deeds; either Heaven or Hell.

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

This can have two meanings:

(1) That each man with present himself in his own individual capacity--families, groups, parties, nations, all will scatter away. This thing has been said at other places also in the Qur'an, e.g., according to Surah Al-An`am 94, Allah on that Day will say to the people "So, you have come before Us all alone, as We created you at first", and in Surah Maryam: "He will appear before Us all alone" (v 80), and "Everyone of them will be presented before Him individually on the Resurrection Day" (v 95)

(2) That the people who during thousands and thousands of years had died at different places; will be rising from different corners of the earth and proceeding in groups, as has been said in Surah An-Naba "The day the Trumpet is blown, you will come out in crowds." (v 18)

Apart from these, there is no room in the word ashtatan for the meanings, which different commentators have given, and are, therefore, outside the literal bounds of this word, although they are correct by themselves and in accordance with the conditions depicted of the Resurrection Day in Qur'an and the Hadith.

This can have two meanings:

(1) That they are shown their deeds, i. e. , each one told what he did in the world; and

(2) that they are shown the rewards of their deeds.

Although this second meaning also can be taken of the words li yurau' jaza'a a malahum (so as to be shown the rewards of their deeds) but li yurau' a malahum (so as to be shown their deeds). Therefore, the first meaning only is preferable, especially when at several places in the Qur'an it has been stated clearly that the disbeliever and the believer, the righteous and the wicked, the obedient and the disobedient, all will be given their records (e.g. see Al-Haqqah: 19, 25; Al-Inshiqaq: 7, 10). Evidently, there is no difference between showing somebody his deeds and handing over to him his record. Furthermore, when the earth will narrate whatever had happened on her, the whole picture of the conflict between the Truth and the falsehood that has been raging since the beginning of time and will continue to rage till the end, also will appear before the people and they will see what part the truth-loving people played in it and what vile deeds did the supporters of falsehood commit against them. It may well be that the people will hear with their own ears all the speeches and dialogues of the callers to right guidance and of the publicists of error and evil; the whole record of the writings and literature produced by the two sides will be placed intact before them, and the people gathered together in the Plain of Assembly will see with their own eyes the persecution of the lovers of Truth by the worshipers of falsehood and all the scenes of the bitter conflict that raged between the two parties.

Transliteration

Ayah 6

Yawmaithin yasduru alnnasu ashtatan liyuraw aAAmalahum

Word-by-word

Ayah 6

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 يَوْمَئِذٍ Yawmaithin That Day —
2 يَصْدُرُ yasduru will proceed ص د ر
3 النَّاسُ alnnasu the mankind ن و س
4 أَشْتَاتًا ashtatan (in) scattered groups ش ت ت
5 لِّيُرَوْا liyuraw to be shown ر أ ي
6 أَعْمَالَهُمْ aAAmalahum their deeds ع م ل

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Articles

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

32 videos · 4 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

Journey Through The Last Day - Sheikh Salim Al-Amry Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Journey Through The Last Day - Sheikh Salim Al-Amry Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Everyone has a book of his deeds Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Everyone has a book of his deeds Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Judgement Day - Heaven & Hell - Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Judgement Day - Heaven & Hell - Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Day of Judgement Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Video · youtube Day of Judgement Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Specific Things That Will Happen On Judgement Day Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Specific Things That Will Happen On Judgement Day Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Last Day & Resurrection - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day Of Judgement ~ Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day Of Judgement ~ Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day of Judgement! | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day of Judgement! | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day of Judgement - Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Day of Judgement - Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Menk - What questions will you get asked on Judgement day Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Menk - What questions will you get asked on Judgement day Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Life lessons from the Qur'an -The Day of Judgement - EP25 - Yahya Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube Life lessons from the Qur'an -The Day of Judgement - EP25 - Yahya Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube What Happens on the Day of Judgement | Purified | Yahya Ibrahim | AlMaghrib Institute Yaha Ibrahim Video · youtube What Happens on the Day of Judgement | Purified | Yahya Ibrahim | AlMaghrib Institute Yaha Ibrahim Video · youtube The Final Earthquake of Qiyamah! Surat az-Zalzalah 099 #DailyTafseer - #SurahADay by #YahyaIbrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube The Final Earthquake of Qiyamah! Surat az-Zalzalah 099 #DailyTafseer - #SurahADay by #YahyaIbrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube The Scariest Part About Judgement Day ~ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Scariest Part About Judgement Day ~ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Measuring deeds on Judgement day - Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Measuring deeds on Judgement day - Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Navaid Aziz – 13 Tafsir Juz E Amma Surah Az Zalzalah The Earthquake Navaid Aziz Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture Feiz Mohammad – Death Series 07 The Resurrection Feiz Mohammad Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Hadith collections — 12 narrations from Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others (see Cross-references)
  11. Quranic cross-references — 2 parallel verses
  12. Linked articles — 6 long-form pieces

Ayat 7

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ.(7)

So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,(7) [Az-Zalzala: 7]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 7

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,(7)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

Dharrah: the weight of an ant, the smallest living weight an ordinary man can think of. Figuratively the subtlest form of good and evil will then be brought to account, and it will be done openly and convincingly: he "shall see it".

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

Then whoever has done an atom weight of good shall see it there.

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

Allah then revealed the following verse about a group of people who thought that they are not rewarded for any small goodness they do nor punished for any small evil they commit, and so Allah urged them to do acts of goodness even if they are small and warned them against acts of evil even if they are small acts: (And whoso doeth good an atom's weight) the weight of the smallest ant (will see it then) in his register and then will be happy with it; it is also said: the believer sees his works in the Hereafter while the disbeliever sees his works in the life of the world,

Tafseer Jalalain

So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it: he shall see its reward,

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

The word 'good' here refers to what is good in terms of Shari'ah, that is, only a good deed done in the wake of faith is recognized by Allah. Any good deed done in the state of disbelief is not recognized, and consequently it will not be rewarded in the Hereafter, though it might have been rewarded in this world. It is argued on the basis of this verse that anyone who has an atom's weight of faith will eventually be taken out of Hell. The reason being that, according to the promise made in this verse, man must reap the fruit of his righteousness in the Hereafter. If he has not done any righteous deeds, faith itself is a great righteousness. Thus no matter how sinful a believer may be, he will not be condemned to Hell for good. On the other hand, if a non-believer has done tons of good deeds, they will be rendered vain in the Hereafter on account of lack of faith. He will, however, receive reward for them here in this world.

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

So, whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

(Combined tafsir ayahs 7-8) Though brief, the concluding two verses of the Surah are extremely comprehensive. Allah Ta'ala declares, "Whoever does an iota's weight of good will see it ( i.e. its reward ) and whoever does an iota's weight of evil will see it" i.e. will see its punishment. These verses make it clear that no good deed should be overlooked and no sin should be committed thinking it to be insignificant because one will eventually see the consequences of every deed. The Holy Prophet was once explaining the details of Zakah to the prophet's companions ( Sahabah), when someone asked about the Zakah due from a person who owns donkeys. The Holy Prophet it replied that although no specific law was revealed to him concerning the Zakah for donkeys, a most comprehensive verse had been revealed to him viz. "Whoever does an iota 's weight of good will see it and whoever does an iota 's weight of evil will see it."[ Bukhari v. 1 p. 141 and Muslim v.. 1 p. 329] A person who is concerned about his life in the Akhirah should never allow an opportunity to do a good deed pass him by. He snatches every such opportunity and even the moment in which he can recite ''Subhan Allah" once is not forfeited. Sayyidina Adi bin Hatim ** narrates that the Holy Prophet said, "Save yourself from Hell even though it may be with a piece of a date (which you give in charity). If you cannot manage this, then at least say a good word." [ Bukhari v. 2 p. 971 ] Sayyidina Umar narrates that the Holy Prophet was once delivering a sermon when he said, "Behold! This world is a cash commodity from which good and evil eat. Behold! The promise of the Akhirah (Hereafter) (although not cash) is absolutely true. The All Powerful Sovereign shall pass judgment there. Behold! All good shall be in Heaven and all evil shall be in Hell. Behold! Continue carrying out deeds, continue fearing Allah and remember that your deeds will be presented before you because 'Whoever does an iota's weight of good will see it and whoever does an iota's weight of evil will see it." ["Mishkat" p. 445] Sayyidah Ayshah narrates that the Holy Prophet it said to her, "Avoid even the smallest sins because Allah Ta'ala has appointed those who seek them (i.e. the recording angels who record them)." ["Mishkat" p. 458 ] Sayyidina Anas once told the people with him, "You people carry out deeds that you regard to be finer than a strand of hair (i.e. you regard them to be insignificant) whereas during the time of the Holy Prophet we used to regard them to be devastating." [ Bukhari v. 2 p. 961 ]

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

(Combined tafsir ayahs 7-8) A simple and straightforward meaning of this statement, and it is right and correct, is that not an atom's weight of good or evil done by a person, will have been left unrecorded in his conduct book, and he will see it in any case. But if seeing is taken to imply seeing its reward and punishment, it will be wrong to take it in the meaning that in the Hereafter every person will be rewarded for his most minor offence, and no one will be left un-rewarded for a good and unpunished for an evil done by him. For in the first place, it would mean that each evil act will be punished and each good act rewarded separately; secondly, it also means that no believer, however righteous and virtuous, will remain safe from being punished for a most ordinary error, and no disbeliever, however wicked and iniquitous, will be left unrewarded for a most ordinary good act, Both these meanings are opposed not only to the explanations given in the Qur'an and the Hadith, but also to reason. From the point of view of reason, it is not understandable that a master would refuse to pardon a most loyal and dutiful servant for a most minor error, and along with rewarding for each act of service and obedience, would also punish him for each and every error. Likewise, this also is not understandable from the viewpoint of reason that a person brought up and favoured by you should prove disloyal and treacherous and ungrateful in spite of your favors, and you, over-looking his collective attitude, should punish him for each act of treachery separately and reward him for each, even if most insignificant, act of service separately. As for the Qur'an and the Hadith, they have laid down a detailed law of rewards and punishments for the different categories of the people, be they believers, hypocrites, disbelievers, righteous believers; erring believers, wicked and sinful believers, common disbelievers, or wicked and mischievous disbelievers, and these rewards and punishments pervade the entire life of man, from there to the Hereafter.
In this connection, the Qur'an has stated, in principle, certain things explicitly:
First, that the deeds of the disbelievers, idolaters and hypocrites (i.e., the deeds regarded as virtuous) have been rendered vain; they will receive no reward for them in the Hereafter; if at all they deserve a reward for them, they will receive it here in the world. For this, see Al-A'raf: 147, At-Taubah: 17, 67-69; Hud: 15-16; Ibrahim: 18; Al-Kahf: 104-105; An-Nur: 39; Al-Furgan: 23; AlAhzab: 19; Az-Zumar: 65; Al-Ahqaf: 20.
Second, that evil will be punished to the extent that evil has been committed, but the good deeds will be rewarded much more generously than what they will actually deserve. At some places it has been explicitly stated that a good act will have a ten-fold reward for it, and at others that Allah will increase the reward of the good act as much as He will please. For this, see AI-Baqarah: 261, AI-An`am: 160, Yunus: 26-27, An-Nur: 38, Al-Qasas: 84, Saba: 37, Al Mu'min:40.
Third, that if the believers abstained from major sins, their ordinary offenses will be forgiven. (An-Nisa': 31, Ash-Shura: 37, An-Najm: 32).
Fourth, that the righteous believer shall have an easy reckoning, his evils will be overlooked and he will be rewarded according to his best deeds. (Al`Ankabut: 7, Az-Zumar: 35, Al-Ahqaf: 16, Al-Inshiqaq: 8).
The Hadith also is very explicit in this regard. In the commentary of Sarah Al-Inshiqaq above, we have cited the Ahadith which have been reported from the Holy Prophet in connection with the explanation of easy reckoning and severe accountability. (See E.N. 6 of Al-lnshiqaq). Hadrat Anas says that once Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq was having his meals with the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace). In the meantime this verse was revealed. Hadrat Abu Bakr withdrew his hand from food and said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I see the result of every little evil that I have happened to commit?" The Holy Prophet replied: "O Abu Bakr, whatever unpleasant and troublesome things you experience in the world, will compensate for the little evils that you happened to commit, and Allah is reserving every little good that you do for your Hereafter," (Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Tabarani in AI-Ausat, Baihaqi in Ash-shu ab. Ibn al-Mundhir, Hakim, Ibn Marduyah, `Abd bin Humaid). The Holy Messenger of Allah had explained this verse also to Hadrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, saying: "Whoever from among you dces good will have his reward in the Hereafter, and whoever commits an evil will suffer punishment for it in this very world in the form of misery and disease. (Ibn Marduyah). Qatadah has related this saying of the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) on the authority of Hadrat Anas: "Allah does not wrong a believer in the world: He provides him sustenance in lieu of his good deeds; in the Hereafter He will reward him for these. As for the disbeliever, he is recompensed for his good deeds in the world itself; then when Resurrection takes place, he, will have no good work left to his credit." (lbn Jarir). Masruq has related from Hadrat `A'ishah that she asked the Holy Prophet "In the pre-Islamic days of ignorance `Abdullah bin Jud`an treated his kindred kindly, fed the poor, received his guests well, earned freedom for the captives. Will this be of any use to him in the Hereafter ? The Holy Prophet replied: No, he never said omit death: Rabbighfir-li khati'ati yaum ad-din. `My Lord, forgive me my errors on the Judgement Day. " (lbn Jarir) The Holy Prophet gave similar replies also in respect of the other people, who did good deeds in the pre-Islamic days, but died as pagans. But there are certain other sayings of the Holy Prophet, which show that although the good done by a disbeliever cannot save him from the fire of Hell, yet in Hell he will not be subjected to the severe punishment which will be the lot of the wicked, sinful and villainous disbelievers, e.g. according to a Hadith, Hatim Ta'i in view of his generosity will be subjected to a light punishment in Hell (Ruh al-Ma `ani).
However, this verse warns man of a truth of vital importance which is this: Even a most ordinary good has its own weight and its own value, and the same is also true of evil: even a most ordinary evil will also be considered and taken into account; it will not just be overlooked. Therefore, no good act, however small and insignificant, should be left, undone, for many such good acts can collect and be regarded as a major good not in the reckoning with Allah. Likewise, even a most ordinary evil also should not be committed, for a large number of such ordinary errors can become serious sins. The same thing has been described by the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) in several Ahadith. According to, a tradition related in Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Hadrat `Adi bin Hatim, the Holy Prophet said: "Save yourselves from the fire of Hell even if it be by giving away a bit of a date, or by uttering a good word." Again from Hadrat `Adi, in an authentic tradition, the Holy Prophet's saying has been reported: "Do not look upon any good work as insignificant, even if it be emptying a bucket into the vessel of one asking for water, or receiving a brother. of yours with a pleasant face. " According to a tradition reported in Bukhari from Hadrat Abu Hurairah, the Holy Prophet, addressing the women, said: "O Muslim women, no woman should look upon sending a gift to her neighbor as mean, even if it be the hoof of a goat." A tradition has been related in Musnad Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah from Hadrat 'A'ishah, saying that the Holy Prophet said: "O `A'ishah, abstain from the sins which are looked upon as trivial, for they too will be inquired about by Allah." Musnad Ahmad contains a tradition from Hadrat `Abdullah bin Mas'ud, saying that the Holy Prophet said: "Beware of minor sins, for they will gather together on man so much so that they will kill him. " (For the distinction between the grave and the trivial offenses., see E.N. 53 of An-Nisa' and E.N. 32 of An-Najm).

Transliteration

Ayah 7

Faman yaAAmal mithqala tharratin khayran yarahu

Word-by-word

Ayah 7

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 فَمَن Faman So whoever —
2 يَعْمَلْ yaAAmal does ع م ل
3 مِثْقَالَ mithqala (equal to the) weight ث ق ل
4 ذَرَّةٍ tharratin (of) an atom ذ ر ر
5 خَيْرًا khayran good خ ي ر
6 يَرَهُۥ yarahu will see it ر أ ي

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Articles

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

66 videos · 12 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

Good Deeds & Sins on the Day of Judgement - Wahaj Tarin Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Good Deeds & Sins on the Day of Judgement - Wahaj Tarin Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Don't ever underestimate any good deed "Allah" is always watching you Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Don't ever underestimate any good deed "Allah" is always watching you Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Never underestimate a good deed! Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube Never underestimate a good deed! Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube Journey Through The Last Day - Sheikh Salim Al-Amry Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Journey Through The Last Day - Sheikh Salim Al-Amry Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Everyone has a book of his deeds Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Everyone has a book of his deeds Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Good Deeds, Erase Bad Deeds - Dr. Muhammad Salah Dr. Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Good Deeds, Erase Bad Deeds - Dr. Muhammad Salah Dr. Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Personal Accountability in Life and Faith - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube Personal Accountability in Life and Faith - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube Do Good Deeds, Muhammed Tim Humble Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Do Good Deeds, Muhammed Tim Humble Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Judgement Day - Heaven & Hell - Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube Judgement Day - Heaven & Hell - Bilal Philips Bilal Philips Video · youtube dr. Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Dr Bilal Philips Video · youtube dr. Bilal Philips - Day of Judgement Dr Bilal Philips Video · youtube Good Deeds Dissolve Evil Deeds Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Good Deeds Dissolve Evil Deeds Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Events on the Day of Judgment & Its Signs - Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Specific Things That Will Happen On Judgement Day Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Specific Things That Will Happen On Judgement Day Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Yusuf Estes - Good deeds in islam Yusuf Estes Video · youtube Yusuf Estes - Good deeds in islam Yusuf Estes Video · youtube Don’t underestimate your good deeds, no matter how small you think they are. MUFTIMENK Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Don’t underestimate your good deeds, no matter how small you think they are. MUFTIMENK Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube DON'T BELITTLE SMALL GOOD DEEDS || MUFTI MENK Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube DON'T BELITTLE SMALL GOOD DEEDS || MUFTI MENK Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Ismail Menk Live part 1 DON'T UNDERESTIMATE A GOOD DEED! Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Ismail Menk Live part 1 DON'T UNDERESTIMATE A GOOD DEED! Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Ismail Menk Live part 2 DON'T UNDERESTIMATE A GOOD DEED! Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Mufti Ismail Menk Live part 2 DON'T UNDERESTIMATE A GOOD DEED! Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Don't Spoil Your Good Deeds - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Don't Spoil Your Good Deeds - Mufti Ismail Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Your BOOK RECORDS YOUR SINS AND GOOD DEEDS BUT CHOICE IS YOURS | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Your BOOK RECORDS YOUR SINS AND GOOD DEEDS BUT CHOICE IS YOURS | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube That Book You Author Yourself | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube That Book You Author Yourself | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Engage In Good Deeds - Mufti Ismail Menk [Ramadhan Reminder] Ismail Ibne Musa Menk Video · youtube Engage In Good Deeds - Mufti Ismail Menk [Ramadhan Reminder] Ismail Ibne Musa Menk Video · youtube Life lessons from the Qur'an -The Day of Judgement - EP25 - Yahya Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube Life lessons from the Qur'an -The Day of Judgement - EP25 - Yahya Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube What Happens on the Day of Judgement | Purified | Yahya Ibrahim | AlMaghrib Institute Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube What Happens on the Day of Judgement | Purified | Yahya Ibrahim | AlMaghrib Institute Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube The Final Earthquake of Qiyamah! Surat az-Zalzalah 099 #DailyTafseer - #SurahADay by #YahyaIbrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube The Final Earthquake of Qiyamah! Surat az-Zalzalah 099 #DailyTafseer - #SurahADay by #YahyaIbrahim Yahya Ibrahim Video · youtube What will we leave behind? Sheikh Bilal Ismail Bilal Ismail Video · youtube What will we leave behind? Sheikh Bilal Ismail Bilal Ismail Video · youtube No Action is Insignificant - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube No Action is Insignificant - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Do not Underestimate The Good You do - Tafsir Al Zalzalah | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Don't Underestimate Any Good Deed! Powerful Khutba Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Don't Underestimate Any Good Deed! Powerful Khutba Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube INCREASING YOUR GOOD DEEDS - Nouman Ali Khan Animated Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube INCREASING YOUR GOOD DEEDS - Nouman Ali Khan Animated Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Weight of Our Deeds – A Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Weight of Our Deeds – A Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Beautify Your Life With Good Deeds! ᴴᴰ ┇ Amazing Reminder ┇ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan ┇ TDR ┇ Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Beautify Your Life With Good Deeds! ᴴᴰ ┇ Amazing Reminder ┇ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan ┇ TDR ┇ Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Fill Up Your Life with Good Deeds || Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Fill Up Your Life with Good Deeds || Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Can A Heart Hold Sins And Good Deeds At The Same Time Faith IQ Audio lecture Can A Heart Hold Sins And Good Deeds At The Same Time Faith IQ Audio lecture Callers to Allah – EP05 Practicing What We Preach Callers to Allah Audio lecture Callers to Allah – EP05 Practicing What We Preach Callers to Allah Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – Ramadan With The Quran – Day 24 Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – Ramadan With The Quran – Day 24 Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – don’t Underestimate Any Good Deed Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – don’t Underestimate Any Good Deed Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture Mufti Menk – Behold it is your Deeds Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – Behold it is your Deeds Mufti Menk Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – Giving a Good Word Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture Nouman Ali Khan – Giving a Good Word Nouman Ali Khan Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Hadith collections — 16 narrations from Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others (see Cross-references)
  11. Quranic cross-references — 10 parallel verses
  12. Linked articles — 16 long-form pieces

Ayat 8

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّا يَرَهُۥ.(8)

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.(8) [Az-Zalzala: 8]

Back to surah / Surah 099 · Az-Zalzala / Ayah 8

Section 01

Traditional understanding

Translation, tafseer from classical and modern scholars, transliteration, word-by-word grammar.

Translation Sahih International

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.(8)

Tafseer Abdullah Yusuf

And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.

Tafseer Dr. Farooq Azam

and whoever has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it there.

Tafseer Ibn Abbas

(And whoso doeth ill an atom's weight) the weight of a small atom (will see it then) is written in his register and will displease him; and it is also said: the believer sees it in the life of the world while the disbeliever sees it in the Hereafter'. And of the surah in which the Courses are mentioned, which is all Meccan and consists of 11 verses, 40 words and 163 letters:

Tafseer Jalalain

and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it: he shall see its requital. Meccan or Medinese, consisting of 11 verses.

Tafseer Ma’arif Ul-Quran

By 'evil' here is meant the evil for which the evil-doer has not repented. The Qur'an and the Sunnah bear ample testimony to the fact that any sinner who sincerely repents for his sins Allah will most certainly accept his repentance. However, the sins for which the sinners have not repented in this world shall certainly bring their results, no matter how trivial or petty they might have been in their appearance. That is why the Messenger of Allah warned Sayyidah - 'A'ishah to beware of the sins that are belittled, for indeed they will be taken account of by Allah." [Transmitted by Nasa'i and Ibn Majah. Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud & says that this verse is most robust and comprehensive verse of the Holy Qur'an. Sayyidna Anas 4% in a lengthy narration reports that the Messenger of Allah referred to this verse as -MI iiUI "the unique, most comprehensive verse".

Tafseer Mufti Taqi Usmani

And whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle will see it.

Tafseer Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi

(Combined tafsir ayahs 7-8) Though brief, the concluding two verses of the Surah are extremely comprehensive. Allah Ta'ala declares, "Whoever does an iota's weight of good will see it ( i.e. its reward ) and whoever does an iota's weight of evil will see it" i.e. will see its punishment. These verses make it clear that no good deed should be overlooked and no sin should be committed thinking it to be insignificant because one will eventually see the consequences of every deed. The Holy Prophet was once explaining the details of Zakah to the prophet's companions ( Sahabah), when someone asked about the Zakah due from a person who owns donkeys. The Holy Prophet it replied that although no specific law was revealed to him concerning the Zakah for donkeys, a most comprehensive verse had been revealed to him viz. "Whoever does an iota 's weight of good will see it and whoever does an iota 's weight of evil will see it."[ Bukhari v. 1 p. 141 and Muslim v.. 1 p. 329] A person who is concerned about his life in the Akhirah should never allow an opportunity to do a good deed pass him by. He snatches every such opportunity and even the moment in which he can recite ''Subhan Allah" once is not forfeited. Sayyidina Adi bin Hatim ** narrates that the Holy Prophet said, "Save yourself from Hell even though it may be with a piece of a date (which you give in charity). If you cannot manage this, then at least say a good word." [ Bukhari v. 2 p. 971 ] Sayyidina Umar narrates that the Holy Prophet was once delivering a sermon when he said, "Behold! This world is a cash commodity from which good and evil eat. Behold! The promise of the Akhirah (Hereafter) (although not cash) is absolutely true. The All Powerful Sovereign shall pass judgment there. Behold! All good shall be in Heaven and all evil shall be in Hell. Behold! Continue carrying out deeds, continue fearing Allah and remember that your deeds will be presented before you because 'Whoever does an iota's weight of good will see it and whoever does an iota's weight of evil will see it." ["Mishkat" p. 445] Sayyidah Ayshah narrates that the Holy Prophet it said to her, "Avoid even the smallest sins because Allah Ta'ala has appointed those who seek them (i.e. the recording angels who record them)." ["Mishkat" p. 458 ] Sayyidina Anas once told the people with him, "You people carry out deeds that you regard to be finer than a strand of hair (i.e. you regard them to be insignificant) whereas during the time of the Holy Prophet we used to regard them to be devastating." [ Bukhari v. 2 p. 961 ]

Tafseer Tafheem Ul-Quran

(Combined tafsir ayahs 7-8) A simple and straightforward meaning of this statement, and it is right and correct, is that not an atom's weight of good or evil done by a person, will have been left unrecorded in his conduct book, and he will see it in any case. But if seeing is taken to imply seeing its reward and punishment, it will be wrong to take it in the meaning that in the Hereafter every person will be rewarded for his most minor offence, and no one will be left un-rewarded for a good and unpunished for an evil done by him. For in the first place, it would mean that each evil act will be punished and each good act rewarded separately; secondly, it also means that no believer, however righteous and virtuous, will remain safe from being punished for a most ordinary error, and no disbeliever, however wicked and iniquitous, will be left unrewarded for a most ordinary good act, Both these meanings are opposed not only to the explanations given in the Qur'an and the Hadith, but also to reason. From the point of view of reason, it is not understandable that a master would refuse to pardon a most loyal and dutiful servant for a most minor error, and along with rewarding for each act of service and obedience, would also punish him for each and every error. Likewise, this also is not understandable from the viewpoint of reason that a person brought up and favoured by you should prove disloyal and treacherous and ungrateful in spite of your favors, and you, over-looking his collective attitude, should punish him for each act of treachery separately and reward him for each, even if most insignificant, act of service separately. As for the Qur'an and the Hadith, they have laid down a detailed law of rewards and punishments for the different categories of the people, be they believers, hypocrites, disbelievers, righteous believers; erring believers, wicked and sinful believers, common disbelievers, or wicked and mischievous disbelievers, and these rewards and punishments pervade the entire life of man, from there to the Hereafter.
In this connection, the Qur'an has stated, in principle, certain things explicitly:
First, that the deeds of the disbelievers, idolaters and hypocrites (i.e., the deeds regarded as virtuous) have been rendered vain; they will receive no reward for them in the Hereafter; if at all they deserve a reward for them, they will receive it here in the world. For this, see Al-A'raf: 147, At-Taubah: 17, 67-69; Hud: 15-16; Ibrahim: 18; Al-Kahf: 104-105; An-Nur: 39; Al-Furgan: 23; AlAhzab: 19; Az-Zumar: 65; Al-Ahqaf: 20.
Second, that evil will be punished to the extent that evil has been committed, but the good deeds will be rewarded much more generously than what they will actually deserve. At some places it has been explicitly stated that a good act will have a ten-fold reward for it, and at others that Allah will increase the reward of the good act as much as He will please. For this, see AI-Baqarah: 261, AI-An`am: 160, Yunus: 26-27, An-Nur: 38, Al-Qasas: 84, Saba: 37, Al Mu'min:40.
Third, that if the believers abstained from major sins, their ordinary offenses will be forgiven. (An-Nisa': 31, Ash-Shura: 37, An-Najm: 32).
Fourth, that the righteous believer shall have an easy reckoning, his evils will be overlooked and he will be rewarded according to his best deeds. (Al`Ankabut: 7, Az-Zumar: 35, Al-Ahqaf: 16, Al-Inshiqaq: 8).
The Hadith also is very explicit in this regard. In the commentary of Sarah Al-Inshiqaq above, we have cited the Ahadith which have been reported from the Holy Prophet in connection with the explanation of easy reckoning and severe accountability. (See E.N. 6 of Al-lnshiqaq). Hadrat Anas says that once Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq was having his meals with the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace). In the meantime this verse was revealed. Hadrat Abu Bakr withdrew his hand from food and said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I see the result of every little evil that I have happened to commit?" The Holy Prophet replied: "O Abu Bakr, whatever unpleasant and troublesome things you experience in the world, will compensate for the little evils that you happened to commit, and Allah is reserving every little good that you do for your Hereafter," (Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Tabarani in AI-Ausat, Baihaqi in Ash-shu ab. Ibn al-Mundhir, Hakim, Ibn Marduyah, `Abd bin Humaid). The Holy Messenger of Allah had explained this verse also to Hadrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, saying: "Whoever from among you dces good will have his reward in the Hereafter, and whoever commits an evil will suffer punishment for it in this very world in the form of misery and disease. (Ibn Marduyah). Qatadah has related this saying of the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) on the authority of Hadrat Anas: "Allah does not wrong a believer in the world: He provides him sustenance in lieu of his good deeds; in the Hereafter He will reward him for these. As for the disbeliever, he is recompensed for his good deeds in the world itself; then when Resurrection takes place, he, will have no good work left to his credit." (lbn Jarir). Masruq has related from Hadrat `A'ishah that she asked the Holy Prophet "In the pre-Islamic days of ignorance `Abdullah bin Jud`an treated his kindred kindly, fed the poor, received his guests well, earned freedom for the captives. Will this be of any use to him in the Hereafter ? The Holy Prophet replied: No, he never said omit death: Rabbighfir-li khati'ati yaum ad-din. `My Lord, forgive me my errors on the Judgement Day. " (lbn Jarir) The Holy Prophet gave similar replies also in respect of the other people, who did good deeds in the pre-Islamic days, but died as pagans. But there are certain other sayings of the Holy Prophet, which show that although the good done by a disbeliever cannot save him from the fire of Hell, yet in Hell he will not be subjected to the severe punishment which will be the lot of the wicked, sinful and villainous disbelievers, e.g. according to a Hadith, Hatim Ta'i in view of his generosity will be subjected to a light punishment in Hell (Ruh al-Ma `ani).
However, this verse warns man of a truth of vital importance which is this: Even a most ordinary good has its own weight and its own value, and the same is also true of evil: even a most ordinary evil will also be considered and taken into account; it will not just be overlooked. Therefore, no good act, however small and insignificant, should be left, undone, for many such good acts can collect and be regarded as a major good not in the reckoning with Allah. Likewise, even a most ordinary evil also should not be committed, for a large number of such ordinary errors can become serious sins. The same thing has been described by the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) in several Ahadith. According to, a tradition related in Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Hadrat `Adi bin Hatim, the Holy Prophet said: "Save yourselves from the fire of Hell even if it be by giving away a bit of a date, or by uttering a good word." Again from Hadrat `Adi, in an authentic tradition, the Holy Prophet's saying has been reported: "Do not look upon any good work as insignificant, even if it be emptying a bucket into the vessel of one asking for water, or receiving a brother. of yours with a pleasant face. " According to a tradition reported in Bukhari from Hadrat Abu Hurairah, the Holy Prophet, addressing the women, said: "O Muslim women, no woman should look upon sending a gift to her neighbor as mean, even if it be the hoof of a goat." A tradition has been related in Musnad Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah from Hadrat 'A'ishah, saying that the Holy Prophet said: "O `A'ishah, abstain from the sins which are looked upon as trivial, for they too will be inquired about by Allah." Musnad Ahmad contains a tradition from Hadrat `Abdullah bin Mas'ud, saying that the Holy Prophet said: "Beware of minor sins, for they will gather together on man so much so that they will kill him. " (For the distinction between the grave and the trivial offenses., see E.N. 53 of An-Nisa' and E.N. 32 of An-Najm).

Transliteration

Ayah 8

Waman yaAAmal mithqala tharratin sharran yarahu

Word-by-word

Ayah 8

# Arabic Pronunciation Meaning Root
1 وَمَن Waman And whoever —
2 يَعْمَلْ yaAAmal does ع م ل
3 مِثْقَالَ mithqala (equal to the) weight ث ق ل
4 ذَرَّةٍ tharratin (of) an atom ذ ر ر
5 شَرًّا sharran evil ش ر ر
6 يَرَهُۥ yarahu will see it ر أ ي

Section 02

Cross-references

Similar verses elsewhere in the Qur’an and authentic ahadith narrated about this ayah.

Section 03

Articles & resources

Long-form articles, scientific commentary, and historical context linked from the legacy archive.

Articles

Misconceptions

Section 04

Audio & video lectures

72 videos · 14 audio lectures from contemporary scholars.

Good Deeds & Sins on the Day of Judgement - Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Good Deeds & Sins on the Day of Judgement - Wahaj Tarin Video · youtube Minor Sins Lead To Hell-Fire ᴴᴰ ┇ Must Watch ┇ Sheikh Bilal Assad ┇ The Daily Reminder ┇ Dr Bilal Asad Video · youtube Minor Sins Lead To Hell-Fire ᴴᴰ ┇ Must Watch ┇ Sheikh Bilal Assad ┇ The Daily Reminder ┇ Dr Bilal Asad Video · youtube Sins, Repentance and Forgiveness - Legacy of the Prophets - 2 of 2 - Assim Al hakeem Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube Sins, Repentance and Forgiveness - Legacy of the Prophets - 2 of 2 - Assim Al hakeem Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube What if we repent and then sin again Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube What if we repent and then sin again Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Video · youtube Why one Commit Sin after Repentance? An Analysis by Sheikh Salem Al Amry. Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Why one Commit Sin after Repentance? An Analysis by Sheikh Salem Al Amry. Sheikh Salim Al- Amry Video · youtube Effects of Sin - Sh. Salem al-Amry Sh. Salem al-Amry Video · youtube Effects of Sin - Sh. Salem al-Amry Sh. Salem al-Amry Video · youtube The Unforgiven Sin Shirk By Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube The Unforgiven Sin Shirk By Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube I returned to islam but I can t leave sins, what to do Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube I returned to islam but I can t leave sins, what to do Sheikh Dr Muhammad Salah Dr.Muhammad Salah Video · youtube How can you recognize sin? Sheikh Muhammad Salah Dr Muhammad Salah Video · youtube How can you recognize sin? Sheikh Muhammad Salah Dr Muhammad Salah Video · youtube Personal Accountability in Life and Faith - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube Personal Accountability in Life and Faith - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube The Greatest Sin l Speaker: Sheikh Ustadh Mohammad ElShinawy Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube The Greatest Sin l Speaker: Sheikh Ustadh Mohammad ElShinawy Mohammad El Shinawy Video · youtube It's Not Just Another Sin By Muhammad Elshinawy | Powerful Reminder | Hijab - The Right Way Muhammad El shinawy Video · youtube It's Not Just Another Sin By Muhammad Elshinawy | Powerful Reminder | Hijab - The Right Way Muhammad El shinawy Video · youtube Recognising Our Sins by Muhammad Tim Humble Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Recognising Our Sins by Muhammad Tim Humble Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube The Danger of Sins - Tim Humble & Ismail Bullock Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube The Danger of Sins - Tim Humble & Ismail Bullock Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube SINS THAT AFFECT YOU SPIRITUALLY BY USTHAD TIM HUMBLE Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube SINS THAT AFFECT YOU SPIRITUALLY BY USTHAD TIM HUMBLE Muhammed Tim Humble Video · youtube Swamped in Sins and the Valley of Despair ~ Dr. Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Swamped in Sins and the Valley of Despair ~ Dr. Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Allah Will Not FORGIVE THESE SINS | Must Watch | BY Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube Allah Will Not FORGIVE THESE SINS | Must Watch | BY Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube COMMITTED MAJOR SINS? WILL ALLAH FORGIVE ME? Shaykh Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube COMMITTED MAJOR SINS? WILL ALLAH FORGIVE ME? Shaykh Yasir Qadhi Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube We Are Doing A Sin Worse Than Dajjal Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube We Are Doing A Sin Worse Than Dajjal Yasir Qadhi Video · youtube The Original Sin - Yusuf Estes Yusuf Estes Video · youtube The Original Sin - Yusuf Estes Yusuf Estes Video · youtube The Deen Show S02E22 Yusuf Estes The unforgivable sin Yusuf Estes Video · youtube The Deen Show S02E22 Yusuf Estes The unforgivable sin Yusuf Estes Video · youtube Committing Sins after Tawba By Mufti Menk Q&A Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Committing Sins after Tawba By Mufti Menk Q&A Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Committed Sin! What Next to Do? Great Lecture (Mufti Ismail Menk) Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Committed Sin! What Next to Do? Great Lecture (Mufti Ismail Menk) Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Allah forgives all sins except One ● Dire Warning !! Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Allah forgives all sins except One ● Dire Warning !! Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube 20 Effects of Sin on Your Life || Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube 20 Effects of Sin on Your Life || Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Evil Effects of Sins - Mufti Menk | 3 Feb 2017 | Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Evil Effects of Sins - Mufti Menk | 3 Feb 2017 | Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Effects of Sins - Mufti Menk - The Straight Path Convention 2016 (Malaysia) Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube The Effects of Sins - Mufti Menk - The Straight Path Convention 2016 (Malaysia) Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Follow 4 Conditions To Wipe Out Sins Including Recurring Ones | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Follow 4 Conditions To Wipe Out Sins Including Recurring Ones | Mufti Menk Ismail Ibn Musa Menk Video · youtube Consequences of SINS after REPENTANCE - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Consequences of SINS after REPENTANCE - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Cycle of Sin | illustrated | Nouman Ali Khan | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Cycle of Sin | illustrated | Nouman Ali Khan | Subtitled Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Major Sins & Shamelessness [Juz 25] - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Major Sins & Shamelessness [Juz 25] - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Scariest Part About Judgement Day ~ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube The Scariest Part About Judgement Day ~ Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube These "Muslims" Will Be Denied Allah's Light On The Day Of Judgement - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube These "Muslims" Will Be Denied Allah's Light On The Day Of Judgement - Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube A scene from judgment day by Nouman Ali Khan part ⅓ Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube A scene from judgment day by Nouman Ali Khan part ⅓ Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Measuring deeds on Judgement day - Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Measuring deeds on Judgement day - Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan Nouman Ali Khan Video · youtube Is there any limitation to the sins that Allah forgive? Dr. Zakir Naik | HD | Dr. Zakir Naik Video · youtube Is there any limitation to the sins that Allah forgive? Dr. Zakir Naik | HD | Dr. Zakir Naik Video · youtube Assim Al-Hakeem – Preparing For Death Assim Al-Hakeem Audio lecture Assim Al-Hakeem – Preparing For Death Assim Al-Hakeem Audio lecture Tim Humble – Recognising Our Sins Tim Humble Audio lecture Tim Humble – Recognising Our Sins Tim Humble Audio lecture Bilal Philips – Sin & Calamities Bilal Philips Audio lecture Bilal Philips – Sin & Calamities Bilal Philips Audio lecture Mufti Menk – The Effects of Sin Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – The Effects of Sin Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – The Evil Effects of Sins Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – The Evil Effects of Sins Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – Wipe out your sins Mufti Menk Audio lecture Mufti Menk – Wipe out your sins Mufti Menk Audio lecture Yasir Qadhi – Swamped In Sins And The Valley Of Despair Yasir Qadhi Audio lecture Yasir Qadhi – Swamped In Sins And The Valley Of Despair Yasir Qadhi Audio lecture

References

  1. Tafseer — Abdullah Yusuf
  2. Tafseer — Dr. Farooq Azam
  3. Tafseer — Ibn Abbas
  4. Tafseer — Jalalain
  5. Tafseer — Ma’arif Ul-Quran
  6. Tafseer — Mufti Taqi Usmani
  7. Tafseer — Shaikh Ashiq Ilahi
  8. Tafseer — Tafheem Ul-Quran
  9. Translation — Sahih International
  10. Hadith collections — 16 narrations from Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others (see Cross-references)
  11. Quranic cross-references — 10 parallel verses
  12. Linked articles — 14 long-form pieces

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