ٱلسَّمَآءُ مُنفَطِرٌۢ بِهِۦ ۚ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَفْعُولًا 18
Translations
The heaven will break apart therefrom; ever is His promise fulfilled.
Transliteration
As-samaa'u munfatiroun bihi, kana wa'duhu maf'oolaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when the heavens will be split asunder by the weight of the angels descending and the events of the Last Day. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to the cosmic upheaval during the Resurrection, emphasizing that Allah's promise of the Day of Judgment is absolutely certain and will inevitably come to pass. The splitting of the heavens symbolizes the complete transformation and destruction of the current cosmic order as part of Allah's ultimate plan.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Muzzammil, a Meccan chapter that addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the early difficult period of his mission. The surah emphasizes night prayer, recitation of the Quran, and steadfastness against opposition. The ayah fits within the broader context of reminding believers of the certainty of the Hereafter and divine promises, providing hope and perspective during trials.
Related Hadiths
The ayah relates thematically to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the Day of Judgment and the breaking of the heavens. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the descent of angels on the Day of Judgment, which provides context for understanding why the heavens would split—to make way for the angels carrying out Allah's commands.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reinforces that Allah's promises regarding the afterlife are absolutely certain and will manifest without doubt, encouraging believers to live righteously with full conviction in the Last Day. The imagery of the heavens splitting should inspire awe of Allah's power and motivate believers to prepare spiritually for eternity rather than becoming attached to this temporary world.