وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاهِيَةٌ 16
Translations
And the heaven will split [open], for that Day it is infirm.
Transliteration
Wa-nshaqqa-t al-sama'u fa-hiya yawma'idhin wahiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the splitting or tearing apart of the sky on the Day of Judgment, rendering it weak and fragile (wahiyah). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a miraculous event during the final hour when the heavens, which appear so stable and mighty in this world, will lose their strength and cohesion. The word 'wahiyah' emphasizes the complete deterioration and helplessness of the sky, illustrating the absolute power and control of Allah over creation when He decides to end this world.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Haqqah is a Meccan surah that focuses on the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the resurrection. This particular ayah is part of a vivid description of the cosmic upheaval and signs of the Hour, designed to impress upon the Meccan disbelievers the reality and inevitability of the Hereafter, which they were denying.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in a hadith reported by Al-Tirmidhi: 'The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west; when the sun rises from the west and the people see it, they all will believe.' This relates thematically to the cosmic signs preceding the Day of Judgment mentioned in Surah Al-Haqqah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that nothing in this material world, no matter how solid or permanent it appears, will last forever—only the face of Allah endures. We should prepare our hearts and deeds for the certainty of the Hereafter rather than becoming attached to the fleeting pleasures and stability of this temporary life.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُۥ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ
On the Day Allāh will resurrect them all, and they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are [standing] on something. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars.
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ
That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.
أَبْصَـٰرُهَا خَـٰشِعَةٌ
Their eyes humbled.