Chapter 84/ Al Inshiqaq

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/5ac48e5d-38d9-4af7-b5c3-cb19010a045c/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-84.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based solely on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, here is a concise summary of Surah Al-Inshiqāq (Chapter 84):

1. Cosmic Upheaval on Judgment Day (Verses 1–5)

  • The sky will violently split asunder (inshaqqat) in irreversible destruction, obeying Allah’s command without resistance .
  • The earth will be flattened and stretched, ejecting all buried contents: dead bodies, hidden deeds, and treasures, leaving it utterly empty .
  • Both sky and earth submit unquestioningly to their Creator, fulfilling their destined roles .

2. Human Accountability and Dual Destinies (Verses 6–15)

  • All humanity is in perpetual toil (kādih) toward meeting Allah, whether conscious of this journey or not .
  • The righteous:
  • Receive their Record of Deeds in their right hand .
  • Undergo an easy reckoning (hisāban yasīrā)—minor faults are pardoned without detailed interrogation .
  • Return to their people (in Paradise) joyfully .
  • The wicked:
  • Receive their Record behind their back—symbolizing disgrace and rejection .
  • Cry for annihilation (thubūr) and enter the Blazing Fire .
  • Their punishment results from worldly arrogance, denial of resurrection (ẓanna an lan yaḥūr), and false security in worldly pleasures .

3. Divine Oaths and Human Stubbornness (Verses 16–21)

  • Allah swears by three natural phenomena:
  1. Twilight (ash-shafaq): The fleeting redness after sunset .
  2. Night and its gatherings (mā wasaqa): Darkness that consolidates scattered beings .
  3. The full moon (al-qamar ittasqa): Symbolizing cyclical completeness .
  • These oaths affirm that humans progress through stages (life, death, resurrection), yet disbelievers reject this truth .
  • They refuse to prostrate when the Qur’an is recited, exposing their ingrained denial .

4. Final Warning and Exception (Verses 22–25)

  • Disbelievers persist in rejection (yukadhdhibūn), but Allah knows their hidden intentions .
  • They are warned of painful punishment, except those who believe and do righteous deeds—they receive an unending reward (ajrun ghayru mamnūn) .

Key Themes in Tafheem-ul-Qur’an:

  • Creation’s Obedience vs. Human Rebellion: The sky/earth’s submission contrasts with human free will, highlighting accountability .
  • Inevitability of Resurrection: Life’s transitional stages (e.g., twilight → night) prove the certainty of the Hereafter .
  • Moral Reckoning: Deeds are meticulously recorded; divine justice distinguishes between complacency and sincerity .

“O man! You are striving unto your Lord with great exertion—and you will meet Him” .

For deeper analysis, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an, Surah 84.

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 84, Al-Inshiqaq, focuses on the Day of Judgment, with the sky splitting and earth leveling, emphasizing Allah’s command.
  • It seems likely that the surah highlights human accountability, with outcomes based on deeds, contrasting the fates of the righteous and wicked.
  • The evidence leans toward the righteous having an easy reckoning and joyful return, while the wicked face destruction and Hellfire.
  • It appears to urge belief through oaths by natural phenomena and warns disbelievers of punishment, promising believers eternal reward.

Overview

Surah 84, known as Al-Inshiqaq (The Splitting Open), is a Meccan chapter of the Quran, and Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed commentary on its themes. This summary, based solely on Tafheemul Quran, highlights its focus on eschatological events, human accountability, and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, with a call to belief and submission.

Description of the Day of Judgment

The surah begins by describing the dramatic events of the Day of Judgment, with the sky splitting asunder and the earth being leveled, both obeying Allah’s command. This imagery underscores the inevitability and power of the Day of Resurrection, setting the stage for human accountability.

Human Accountability and Outcomes

It reminds humans that their labor in this life is directed toward meeting Allah, where they will be held accountable for their deeds. The outcome depends on whether one’s record of deeds is placed in their right hand (for the righteous) or behind their back (for the wicked).

Fates of the Righteous and Wicked

The righteous, who receive their record in their right hand, will face an easy reckoning, with their errors overlooked due to their outweighing good deeds. They will return to their people joyfully. In contrast, the wicked, who receive their record behind their back, will face destruction and enter the Blazing Fire, described as having lived joyfully in the world while ignoring the Hereafter.

Call to Belief and Consequences

The surah uses oaths by natural phenomena—twilight, night, and the full moon—to emphasize the continuous stages of life and the inevitability of the Hereafter, urging belief. It addresses disbelievers who deny the Quran and refuse to prostrate, warning them of a painful punishment, while promising believers an unending reward for their faith and obedience. Additionally, Verse 21 is noted for a recommended prostration, highlighting submission to Allah’s word.

For further reading, visit Tafheemul Quran, Surah 84.


Comprehensive Analysis of Surah 84 (Al-Inshiqaq) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides an in-depth examination of Surah 84, Al-Inshiqaq, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, offering a detailed exploration of its themes, verses, and commentary. The analysis is grounded in the tafsir’s insights, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers seeking depth beyond the overview.

Background and Context

Surah 84 is a Meccan surah, focusing on eschatological themes and the Day of Judgment, particularly the splitting of the sky and the leveling of the earth. Tafheemul Quran, a combination of orthodox and modernist interpretation, provides extensive commentary, integrating historical, sociological, and theological perspectives. Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is noted for its clarity and application to contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding this surah.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Commentary

The following table summarizes the key segments of Surah 84, their themes, and relevant commentary from Tafheemul Quran, ensuring a structured presentation of the content.VersesThemeSummary from Tafheemul Quran 1-6 Description of the Day of Judgment Describes the sky splitting asunder and the earth being leveled, both obeying Allah’s command. Emphasizes the inevitability and power of the Day of Resurrection, setting the stage for accountability. 7-9 Fate of the Righteous The righteous, who receive their record in their right hand, will have an easy reckoning. Their errors will be overlooked due to outweighing good deeds, and they will return to their people joyfully. 10-15 Fate of the Wicked The wicked, who receive their record behind their back, will face destruction and enter the Blazing Fire. They are described as having lived joyfully in the world, ignoring the return to Allah. 16-19 Oath and Call to Belief Takes an oath by twilight, night, and the full moon to emphasize the continuous stages of life and the inevitability of the Hereafter, urging belief in the Day of Judgment. 20-25 Disbelievers and Believers Addresses disbelievers who deny the Quran and refuse to prostrate, warning them of a painful punishment. Promises believers an unending reward for their faith and obedience. Verse 21 is noted for recommended prostration.

Thematic Insights from Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes several key themes:

  • Eschatological Focus: The surah’s opening verses vividly depict the Day of Judgment, with the sky splitting and earth leveling, both obeying Allah’s command. This imagery reinforces the doctrine of resurrection and accountability, aligning with Quranic themes of the Hereafter.
  • Human Accountability: The surah reminds humans that their labor is directed toward meeting Allah, with outcomes based on deeds. The commentary highlights the contrast between the easy reckoning for the righteous and the heavy reckoning for the wicked, referencing other surahs like Surah Ar-Raad 13:181 and Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:16 for context.
  • Contrast Between Righteous and Wicked: The fate of the righteous is described as joyful, with their record in the right hand and errors overlooked, while the wicked face destruction, having lived in worldly joy while ignoring the Hereafter. This contrast serves as a moral and spiritual lesson.
  • Call to Belief: The oath by natural phenomena—twilight, night, and full moon—emphasizes the continuous cycle of life and the inevitability of death and resurrection. This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of worldly life and the certainty of the Hereafter, urging belief and submission.
  • Consequences for Disbelief: The surah addresses disbelievers who deny the Quran and refuse to prostrate, warning them of a painful punishment. This is contrasted with the believers, who are promised an unending reward, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience.
  • Prostration at Verse 21: The commentary notes that Verse 21 is one of the verses in the Quran where prostration is recommended, as confirmed by the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) practice. This underscores the importance of submission to Allah’s word and the physical act of worship.

Supporting Evidence and References

Tafheemul Quran integrates Quranic cross-references, such as Surah Ar-Raad 13:181 for the heavy reckoning of the wicked and Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:16 for the acceptance of the best deeds of the righteous, to reinforce the theme of accountability. It also draws on the Prophet’s practice for the recommended prostration at Verse 21, aligning with Islamic tradition.

For further exploration, readers can refer to Tafheemul Quran, Surah 84 and Introduction to Tafheemul Quran.

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, capturing all nuances from Maududi’s tafsir, and aligns with the user’s request for a summary based solely on Tafheemul Quran.