Islamic knowledge

Chapter 99/ Al Zalzalah

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/82de2c46-88fb-49c8-9ece-bd3240a76c6a/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-99.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 on the Tafheem-ul-Qur’an commentary by Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi, here is a concise summary of Surah Az-Zalzalah (Chapter 99):

Introduction

  • Name: Derived from “Zilzāl” (violent earthquake) in Verse 1 .
  • Revelation: Disputed (Meccan or Medinan), but Tafheem argues it is Meccan due to its thematic focus on fundamental beliefs like the Hereafter, consistent with early revelations .

Key Themes & Verse-by-Verse Summary

  1. The Cosmic Earthquake (Verses 1–2):
  • The earth will endure a catastrophic, repeated quake (“Zilzāl”), shaking with maximum intensity .
  • It will expel its “burdens” (athqāl), interpreted as:
    • Resurrected human bodies (from all eras).
    • Hidden treasures (gold, resources) that fueled worldly greed .
  1. Human Bewilderment (Verse 3):
  • People will cry out in confusion, “What is happening to the earth?” This reaction is especially attributed to disbelievers unprepared for the Hereafter .
  1. Earth’s Testimony (Verses 4–5):
  • The earth will “report its news” by divine command: It will bear witness to every deed committed on its surface, specifying actions, dates, and locations .
  • Tafheem explains this as a literal testimony, likened to modern recording technology (e.g., voices preserved in airwaves, images etched into surroundings) .
  1. Judgment & Scrutiny (Verses 6–8):
  • Humanity will emerge in scattered groups, sorted by their spiritual states .
  • Every deed, even atom-weight good or evil, will be manifested:
    • Good: Rewarded exponentially (e.g., one good act = ten like it) .
    • Evil: Fully accounted for, with no omission .

Theological Significance (Tafheem Insights)

  • Ultimate Justice: The Surah underscores God’s meticulous accountability, eliminating human notions of “minor” sins or unnoticed good .
  • Metaphorical Resonance: The earth’s “speech” symbolizes the exposure of hidden truths and the futility of worldly attachments .
  • Practical Lesson: Muslims are urged to mindfulness (taqwa), as deeds accumulate and shape eternal outcomes .

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 99, Az-Zalzalah, was revealed in Mecca and focuses on the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing the earth’s role in revealing deeds.
  • It seems likely that the surah describes the earth shaking violently, throwing up burdens, and narrating events, with people seeing their deeds and facing accountability for every atom’s weight of good or evil.
  • The evidence leans toward the surah highlighting divine justice, with modern scientific parallels explaining the earth’s narration, and a distinction between rewards for disbelievers in this world and believers in the Hereafter.
  • There is some controversy over the exact interpretation of the earth’s narration, but most agree on its role as a witness on Judgment Day.

Overview

Surah 99, known as Az-Zalzalah (The Earthquake), is a short Meccan surah with 8 verses. According to Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul A’ala Maududi, this surah centers on the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing the earth’s role in revealing the deeds of humanity and the accountability of every individual before Allah.

Key Themes

  • The surah begins by describing the violent shaking of the earth on the Day of Resurrection (99:1), which will be so intense that it will throw up all its burdens, including dead bodies and traces of human deeds (99:2).
  • Man will be bewildered, asking what is happening (99:3).
  • The earth itself will narrate all the events that occurred on it, as inspired by Allah (99:4-5), serving as a witness to every action.
  • People will proceed in groups to see their deeds (99:6), and every atom’s weight of good or evil will be accounted for (99:7-8), highlighting the precision of divine justice.

Interpretation

  • The commentary explains that the earth’s narration can be understood through modern scientific parallels, such as recordings and images, suggesting that the earth will reveal all hidden things.
  • It stresses the justice in Allah’s court, where multiple forms of evidence—such as records, body parts, and the environment—will be presented.
  • It clarifies that good deeds of disbelievers are rewarded in this world, not in the Hereafter, while believers’ minor sins may be forgiven if they avoid major sins.

Historical Context

  • The surah is from the Meccan period, revealed when Islam was still in its early stages and facing opposition, serving as a reminder of ultimate accountability.

Relevance and Application

  • For contemporary readers, the surah underscores the importance of accountability and the permanence of deeds, encouraging believers to live righteously, knowing that every action, no matter how small, will be accounted for.

Supporting Resources

Detailed Analysis of Surah 99 (Az-Zalzalah) from Tafheemul Quran

This note provides a comprehensive analysis of Surah 99, Az-Zalzalah, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul A’ala Maududi. It aims to cover all aspects of the surah’s theme, context, and messages, expanding on the overview with additional details for a thorough understanding. The content is structured to mimic a professional article, ensuring clarity and depth for readers interested in Islamic studies.

Introduction to Tafheemul Quran and Surah 99

Tafheemul Quran is a renowned tafsir (interpretation) of the Quran by Syed Abul A’ala Maududi, known for its detailed commentary and application to contemporary contexts. Surah 99, Az-Zalzalah, is the 99th chapter of the Quran, revealed in Mecca, and consists of 8 verses. It is named “Az-Zalzalah,” meaning “The Earthquake,” reflecting its central theme of the earth’s shaking on the Day of Resurrection.

Historical Context and Revelation

According to Tafheemul Quran, Surah 99 was revealed during the early Makkan period, a time when Islam was nascent, and the Muslim community faced significant opposition. The Prophet was passing through great hardships, distressed by the initial difficulties of calling people to Islam, including taunts and rejection. The surah serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability on the Day of Resurrection, reinforcing trust in divine justice amidst adversity.

The historical setting is crucial, as early Islam had few followers, and the Prophet faced hostility from the Makkan elite. Tafheemul Quran highlights that this surah served to emphasize the inevitability of divine judgment, with promises that later materialized in Islam’s spread, aligning with the broader narrative of accountability.

Thematic Analysis

The theme of Surah 99, as per Tafheemul Quran, revolves around the Day of Resurrection, the earth’s role as a witness, and the precise accountability of deeds. It begins with the earth’s violent shaking, setting a tone of cosmic upheaval, and progresses to the earth’s narration, the bewilderment of man, and the detailed accounting of deeds, culminating in divine justice.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Verses

To provide a structured overview, the following table summarizes the key verses and their interpretations from Tafheemul Quran:VerseText (Summary)Interpretation in Tafheemul Quran 99:1 When the earth is shaken with its violent shaking Describes the intense earthquake on the Day of Resurrection, marking the beginning of cosmic upheaval. 99:2 And the earth throws up its burdens The earth will throw up dead bodies, traces of deeds, and all hidden things, serving as evidence. 99:3 And man says, “What is with it?” Man will be bewildered, asking what is happening, reflecting the suddenness and intensity of the event. 99:4-5 And the earth tells of its news, inspired by your Lord The earth will narrate all events, as inspired by Allah, acting as a witness to every action. 99:6 That Day, the people will depart in groups to be shown their deeds People will proceed in groups to see their deeds, emphasizing individual accountability. 99:7-8 So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it Every deed, no matter how small, will be accounted for, highlighting the precision of divine justice.

This table encapsulates the verse-by-verse exegesis, aligning with Tafheemul Quran’s detailed commentary.

Interpretation of Key Terms

Tafheemul Quran provides detailed explanations of Arabic terms:

  • “Zalzalah” (earthquake, 99:1) refers to the violent shaking on the Day of Resurrection, a cosmic event marking the end of the world.
  • “Takhriju athqalaha” (throws up its burdens, 99:2) includes dead bodies, traces of deeds, and all hidden things, interpreted through modern parallels like recordings and images, suggesting the earth will reveal all.
  • “Tuhaddithu akhbaraha” (tells of its news, 99:4-5) means the earth will narrate all events, inspired by Allah, acting as a witness, with scientific parallels like environmental records.
  • “Yasdurun nasu ashtatan” (depart in groups, 99:6) indicates people will proceed to see their deeds, emphasizing individual accountability.
  • “Mithqala dharratin” (atom’s weight, 99:7-8) underscores the precision of divine justice, with no deed, however small, overlooked, supported by Quranic references like Surah Al-Anbiya (21:47).

Scientific and Modern Parallels

Tafheemul Quran notes that the earth’s narration can be understood through modern scientific concepts, such as:

  • Recordings and images capturing events, paralleling the earth’s role as a witness.
  • Environmental evidence, like soil and geological records, supporting the idea that the earth will reveal all hidden things.
  • This interpretation aligns with the Quranic emphasis on justice, where multiple forms of evidence (records, body parts, environment) will be presented in Allah’s court.

Distinction Between Rewards

The commentary clarifies:

  • Good deeds of disbelievers are rewarded in this world, not in the Hereafter, as per Quranic principles (e.g., Surah Al-Baqarah 2:262).
  • Believers’ minor sins may be forgiven if they avoid major sins, with rewards in the Hereafter, emphasizing the distinction in divine justice.

Controversy and Debate

There is some controversy over the exact interpretation of the earth’s narration, with some scholars debating whether it is literal or metaphorical. However, Tafheemul Quran leans toward a literal understanding, supported by scientific parallels, while acknowledging the symbolic role of the earth as a witness, aligning with most classical interpretations.

Fulfillment of Promises

Tafheemul Quran notes that the surah’s emphasis on divine justice aligns with the broader Quranic narrative. The promise of accountability for every deed is fulfilled on the Day of Resurrection, reinforcing the surah’s message during the Prophet’s challenges, with historical spread of Islam supporting the inevitability of divine judgment.

Relevance and Application

For contemporary readers, Surah 99, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, offers lessons in understanding the Day of Resurrection, the permanence of deeds, and the precision of divine justice. It encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that every action, no matter how small, will be accounted for, relevant for personal and communal moral conduct. The scientific parallels also make the message accessible to modern audiences, bridging traditional and contemporary understandings.

Supporting Resources

For further exploration, the following URLs provide additional insights into Tafheemul Quran and related tafsirs:

Conclusion

Surah 99, Az-Zalzalah, as analyzed in Tafheemul Quran, is a profound message addressing the Day of Resurrection, the earth’s role as a witness, and the precise accountability of deeds, revealed during early Islam’s challenges. It reinforces trust in divine justice, promises accountability for every action, and encourages righteous living, making it relevant for both historical and contemporary contexts. This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, aligning with the request for a summary from Tafheemul Quran alone, and acknowledges the controversy over the interpretation of the earth’s narration.

Conclusion

Surah Az-Zalzalah vividly depicts the Day of Judgment as a physical and moral upheaval, emphasizing divine omniscience and the inescapability of accountability. Its condensed narrative reinforces core Islamic eschatology, calling for ethical vigilance .

For further details, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an.