وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا 8
Translations
And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.
Transliteration
Wa-inna laja'alun ma 'alayha sa'idan juruza
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah swears that He will make everything on the earth a barren, leveled plain—referring to the Day of Judgment when all creation will be destroyed and the earth will be flattened. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as an affirmation of Allah's absolute power over creation and His certainty in bringing about the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing that no structure, plant, or living thing will remain standing.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Kahf's discussion of the ephemeral nature of worldly possessions and life. It follows Allah's parable about two gardens (ayat 32-44) and serves as a powerful reminder that all material wealth and worldly constructions are temporary, ultimately destined to be destroyed on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west' (Sahih Bukhari 4735), which relates to the signs preceding the Day of Judgment when the earth's current state will be completely transformed. Also relevant is the hadith about the earth being flattened on the Day of Resurrection in various collections of ahadith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that attachment to worldly possessions and constructions is futile, as everything will ultimately be destroyed and returned to Allah. It serves as a spiritual reminder to focus on the eternal life and righteous deeds rather than being preoccupied with temporary material gains.