ٱلْقَارِعَةُ 1
Translations
The Striking Calamity -
Transliteration
Al-Qari'ah
Tafsir (Explanation)
Al-Qari'ah (The Calamity) is one of the names of the Day of Judgment, referring to the Hour that will strike suddenly and inevitably. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this term emphasizes the shocking, overwhelming nature of the Day of Judgment, which will strike people with such force and surprise that it is called 'the striking calamity.' This opening establishes the surah's focus on the reality and certainty of the afterlife, meant to awaken hearts and minds to ultimate accountability.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qari'ah is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of the Prophet's mission when the Quraysh rejected the concept of resurrection and the Day of Judgment. The surah addresses their denial by vividly describing the Day of Judgment to convince them of its reality and nearness. This opening ayah immediately confronts the listener with the central theme: the inevitability of the Last Day.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour (Day of Judgment) will come suddenly' (Sahih Bukhari 4735). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' connecting accountability on that Day to righteous conduct (Sahih Muslim 45).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Day of Judgment is an absolute certainty and will arrive unexpectedly, calling us to constant mindfulness of our actions and preparation through righteous deeds. It serves as a spiritual wake-up call to transcend materialism and worldly preoccupations, focusing instead on our eternal destiny.
Related Ayahs
ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ
The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two].
يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا
The Day the Horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes
وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ
And, [O Muḥammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation?
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓا۟ ۚ أَحْصَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ وَنَسُوهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
On the Day when Allāh will resurrect them all and inform them of what they did. Allāh had enumerated it, while they forgot it; and Allāh is, over all things, Witness.