وَيَوْمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِٱلْغَمَـٰمِ وَنُزِّلَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ تَنزِيلًا 25
Translations
And [mention] the Day when the heaven will split open with [emerging] clouds, and the angels will be sent down in successive descent.
Transliteration
Wa yawma tashaqqaqus-samā'u bil-ghimāmi wa nuzzila-l-malā'ikatu tanzīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a scene from the Day of Judgment when the sky will split asunder with clouds, and the angels will be sent down in successive waves. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as depicting the cosmic upheaval and divine manifestation on the Day of Resurrection, where the barriers between the heavenly and earthly realms dissolve and angels descend to execute divine judgment. The phrase 'tanzīlā' (descent) emphasizes the magnificent and overwhelming nature of this angelic descent, signifying the gravity and grandeur of that momentous day.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Furqan, a Meccan surah primarily concerned with establishing core Islamic beliefs and refuting polytheism. This particular verse is part of a broader description of the Day of Judgment and the events surrounding it, serving to remind the Meccans of ultimate accountability and the certainty of the afterlife, themes crucial to early Islamic preaching.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the Day of Judgment: 'The sun will be brought close to the creation on the Day of Resurrection' (Sahih Muslim 2790). Additionally, in Surah An-Naba (78:88), there is a complementary description of the sky being split open, reinforcing this Quranic theme across multiple surahs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the material world we perceive is temporary and subject to divine transformation, encouraging us to prioritize spiritual preparation and righteous deeds over worldly attachments. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's dominion transcends our current understanding, and we must live with conscious awareness of our ultimate accountability before Him.