(85)Surah Al-Inshiqaq

(85)

IntroductionThe name of the surah means to split asunder. It is referring to the splitting of the heavens. This is one of the earliest surahs to be revealed in Makkah. The persecution of the Muslims did not yet start when this surah was revealed. However, the main message of the Quran was clear to the public and people were denying that Resurrection would ever occur.

Introduction (cont.)The main theme of the surah is Resurrection and Hereafter. Allah argues that the day of Resurrection will come. The sky on that Day will split.The earth will be spread out and flat The earth will throw out whatever lies inside it of the dead bodies of human beings and will become completely empty within

Introduction (cont.)Whether or not we are aware of it, we as well as all human beings are moving towards our final destination. Every human being will be made to stand in front of Allah and will be judged based on their deeds. Human beings will be categorized into two parts:

1. those who will be given their record of deeds on their right hand. They will be forgiven without any severe reckoning. 2. those who will be given their record behind their backs. These people will have a harsh fate.

Ayah One: When the sky is rent asunder Ayah Two: and hearkens to the command of its Lord, doing what it

should;As the DOJ approaches, Allah will command the sky to split and it will do so. This is the first sign of the Day mentioned in this surah.

Ayah Three: and when the earth is stretched out

This is the second sign that is menioned in this surah. The earth spreading out means:

The oceans and rivers will fill up The mountains will be crushed into pieces and will scatter away The earth will be leveled and turned into a smooth plain

Ayah Four: and casts out what is within it and is emptied,

The earth will throw out all the dead bodies in it as well as all traces of their deeds that are lying within the earth Nothing will remain hidden or buried within the earth

Ayah Five: and hearkens to the command of its Lord, doing what it should.

All that the earth will do, it will do only because Allah (swt) would command it to do so

Questions (Intro + 1-5)1. What does the name of the surah mean?2. During what time period was this surah revealed? 3. What is the main theme of this surah?4. What are the two categories of human beings? 5. What is the first sign of the DOJ mentioned in this surah?6. What does it mean that the earth will stretch out?7. What will the Earth case out of it?

Ayah Six: O man, you are striving unto your Lord and you will meet Him.

Whether we realize it or not, the more days we live, the closer we are to our death and returning to Allah. No matter what we work towards, our end is the same: we all go back to Who we came from

Ayah Seven: Whoever is given the Record in his right hand Ayah Eight: shall be called to an easy accounting.

Ayah Nine: and shall return to his people joyfully. On that Day, there will be two groups of people. The first group of people are the good people who will be given their record or book of deeds in their right hand. They will be judged easily, as in their sins will be overlooked since they overwhelmingly did good and tried to do good in this life. These people will be happy with their deeds and excited to go back to others.

Ayah Ten: But he who is given the Record behind his back, Ayah Eleven: shall cry for “perdition” Ayah Twelve: and will enter the Blazing Fire.

The second group of people are the bad, disbelieving people who will be given their record on their left but in shame will hide it behind their back (this is one explanation of the verse) Perdition means a death of their body and soul These people will wish that they could die They will be thrown into the Hellfire.

Ayah Thirteen: He used to live joyfully among his people, Ayah Fourteen: thinking he would

never revert (to Us). This is referring to the disbelieving people. They lived their lives in this world however they wanted and with no restrictions. They committed sins without thinking that they would ever have to answer for it. However, they do.

Ayah Fifteen: But no; (how would he not revert)? His Lord was ever watching him.But these people were wrong. Allah was watching them throughout their entire life and knows what they did. Without a doubt, He would bring justice.

Questions (6-15)1. What does Allah say that all human beings are striving towards?2. Who will receive the book in their right hand?3. What does it mean to get an easy reckoning? 4. Who will cry for perdition?5. What does perdition mean? 6. How is it that the second group of people will have their book behind their back? Why?7. How did the disbelievers live in this life?

Ayah Sixteen: Nay; I swear by the twilight; Ayah Seventeen: and by the night and what it

enfolds, Ayah Eighteen: and by the moon, when it reaches its fullness:

Allah swears by passage of time: from the twilight to the night and by the moon as it goes through all of its stages What Allah swears on is related to what He swears that. He says that human beings go through stages the same way the things in this world goes through stages.

Ayah Nineteen: you shall proceed onwards from stage to stage.

Humans go through stages: From our birth to the different stages of our life, to death, to resurrection

The fact that everything goes in stages is a proof or sign that we will get to the next stage after death: resurrection.

Ayah Twenty: So, what is the matter with them that they do not believe, Ayah Twenty-One: and when the Quran is recited to them, they do not

prostrate themselves?Allah is saying here that despite leaving signs on the Earth for us to consider, why still is there so many human beings that deny Him and the Hereafter? Why do these people not prostrate to Allah and refuse to follow the Quran when it is recited to them?

Ayah Twenty-Two: Instead, the unbelievers reject it, calling it a lie.

Instead of following the Quran, they call it a lie. They reject the teachings of Allah.

Ayah Twenty-Three: Allah knows best what they are accumulating (in their Record).

Allah knows best about all the deeds the disbelievers are doing, those that are public and those that are hidden. He will account them all to justice in the Hereafter.

Ayah Twenty-Four: So give them the ngood ews of a painful chastisement. Ayah Twenty-Five: except for those who

believe and do good deeds. Theirs be an unending reward. For those people who reject the Quran and continue living their lives doing evil, they will receive the gravest punishment. Allah is being sarcastic when He says “good news” The only ones who will be saved from such a punishment will be the believers. The reward will be eternal.

Questions (16-22)1. What does Allah swear by and why?2. What does Allah swear that? 3. What does Allah ask about the disbelievers?4. What news is to be given to both groups of people?

DisclaimerThese slides are an abridged, simplified

version of tafseer. For detailed explanations, please view other sources.