Al-Qari'ah (القارعة)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْقَارِعَةُ
Al qaari'ah
OH, the sudden calamity!
مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
Mal qaariah
How awesome the sudden calamity!
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
Wa maa adraaka mal qaari'ah
And what could make thee conceive what that sudden calamity will be?
يَوْمَ يَكُونُ النَّاسُ كَالْفَرَاشِ الْمَبْثُوثِ
Yauma ya koonun naasu kal farashil mabthooth
[It will occur] on the Day when men will be like moths swarming in confusion,
وَتَكُونُ الْجِبَالُ كَالْعِهْنِ الْمَنْفُوشِ
Wa ta koonul jibalu kal 'ihnil manfoosh
and the mountains will be like fluffy tufts of wool....
فَأَمَّا مَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ
Fa-amma man thaqulat mawa zeenuh
And then, he whose weight [of good deeds] is heavy in the balance
فَهُوَ فِي عِيشَةٍ رَاضِيَةٍ
Fahuwa fee 'ishatir raadiyah
shall find himself in a happy' state of life;
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ
Wa amma man khaffat mawa zeenuh
whereas he whose weight is light in the balance
فَأُمُّهُ هَاوِيَةٌ
Fa-ummuhu haawiyah
shall be engulfed by an abyss.
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا هِيَهْ
Wa maa adraaka maa hiyah
And what could make thee conceive what that [abyss] will be?
نَارٌ حَامِيَةٌ
Naarun hamiyah
A fire hotly burning!
Meaning
The Calamity
Ayas
11
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
101
The Day of Judgment: Surah Al-Qari’ah vividly describes the terrifying events of the Day of Judgment. It uses the imagery of a mighty calamity (the “striking” calamity) that will cause great distress and upheaval, shaking the earth and the heavens.
The Weight of Deeds: The Surah emphasizes that on this day, people will be judged based on the weight of their deeds. Those whose deeds are heavy with good actions will be rewarded, while those whose deeds are light will face severe consequences.
Accountability and Final Judgment: The Surah serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability each person will face. The scales of justice will determine the fate of every individual, underscoring the importance of living a righteous life.
Warning of the Afterlife: The Surah was revealed to remind believers of the reality of the Day of Judgment, where everyone will be held accountable for their actions. It serves as a wake-up call to live righteously in this world.
Emphasis on Good Deeds: The Surah highlights the significance of one’s deeds and the importance of performing good actions in life to ensure success in the Hereafter. It warns against neglecting righteousness and moral conduct.
Reminder of Divine Justice: It affirms that Allah’s justice is absolute and perfect. No one will be wronged, and each individual will be rewarded or punished in accordance with their deeds.
Increased Awareness of the Afterlife: Reciting this Surah reminds believers of the gravity of the Day of Judgment and encourages them to prepare for it through good deeds and faith in Allah.
Spiritual Motivation: It serves as a powerful motivator to strive for good actions, as it emphasizes that the fate of each person will depend on the balance of their deeds.
Mindfulness of Accountability: Reading this Surah helps believers stay mindful of their actions, knowing that they will be judged based on what they have done in this world.
Focus on Righteousness: The Surah encourages believers to focus on righteousness and to align their lives with Islamic principles, knowing that every deed counts on the Day of Judgment.
The Importance of Accountability:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your busyness, and your life before your death.” (Sunan al-Quda’i)
This Hadith resonates with the message of Surah Al-Qari’ah, reminding believers to use their time wisely and engage in good deeds before facing the ultimate judgment.
Good Deeds and Their Weight:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The deeds that weigh the most in the scales on the Day of Judgment are those that are done with sincerity and for the sake of Allah.” (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith emphasizes the significance of having good deeds that will carry weight in the scales of justice, in line with the message of Surah Al-Qari’ah
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
