وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ فُجِّرَتْ 3
Translations
And when the seas are erupted
Transliteration
Wa-idha al-biharu fujjirat
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes one of the cosmic signs of the Day of Judgment, when the seas will be burst forth or made to overflow from their boundaries. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as the seas bursting out of their basins and mingling together, or alternatively, as the seas being split asunder—a manifestation of Allah's power at the end of times. This imagery emphasizes the complete upheaval of the natural world as we know it, signaling the reality and inevitability of the Final Day.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Infitar, a Meccan chapter that describes the catastrophic events of the Day of Judgment. It forms part of a series of cosmic events (the cleaving of the heavens, the scattering of the stars, the casting out of the angels) meant to awaken the Meccan listeners to the reality of the Afterlife and Allah's absolute authority over creation.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2940) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the Day of Judgment with vivid imagery of natural upheaval. Additionally, Surah Al-Infitar 82:1-2 is often paired with hadiths about the Hour in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that describe similar cosmic disturbances.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that all material structures we see as permanent and stable are temporary and subject to Allah's will, encouraging humility and preparation for the Afterlife. It invites reflection on our accountability before Allah and the ultimate futility of worldly attachments.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا ۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire [it will be said], "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will say, "Then taste the punishment for what you used to deny."
قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, the former and later peoples
وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And whoever comes with an evil deed - their faces will be overturned into the Fire, [and it will be said], "Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?"
يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَفْدًا
On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation