إِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ ٱنفَطَرَتْ 1
Translations
When the sky breaks apart
Transliteration
Idha as-samaa'u anfataratf
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah Al-Infitar by describing one of the signs of the Day of Judgment—when the sky will be cleft asunder or split open. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a literal splitting of the heavens during the final hour, signifying the complete dissolution of the current cosmic order. This vivid imagery serves to emphasize the certainty and magnitude of the Day of Judgment and its catastrophic events.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Infitar is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was tasked with warning the disbelievers of Mecca about the inevitability of the Day of Judgment. The surah's opening establishes the theme of eschatological events that will unfold at the end of time, providing both warning and reassurance to believers about divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will not be established until... the sky gives out smoke' (Sahih Bukhari 4737), describing various signs preceding the Day of Judgment. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the splitting of the heavens relates thematically to cosmic destruction in the end times.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the present world and its apparent permanence are illusory; all creation will be overturned on the Day of Judgment. This awareness should inspire believers to prioritize righteous deeds and preparation for the afterlife over attachment to worldly matters.