وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَا لَهَا 3
Translations
And man says, "What is [wrong] with it?" -
Transliteration
Wa qāla al-insānu mā lahā
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, humanity expresses bewilderment and asks 'What is the matter with it (the earth)?' upon witnessing the violent convulsions of the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as depicting the shock and confusion of mankind when confronted with the unprecedented upheaval of the earth, emphasizing human helplessness before divine power. The ayah underscores the terror and amazement that will grip humanity when the natural order—which they took for granted—is completely overturned.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Madinah and describes the cosmic events of the Day of Judgment, specifically the earthquake that will shake the earth violently. Verse 3 appears within the vivid depiction of this apocalyptic scene, where after witnessing the earth's convulsions and the emergence of its hidden burdens (verse 2), humanity questions what is happening, serving as a rhetorical device to emphasize the magnitude and terror of that day.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the signs of the Hour: 'The earth will be shaken with a tremendous earthquake' (narrated in various forms in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the Quran itself in Surah At-Tariq (86:1) and other surahs describing the Day of Judgment contain parallel themes of cosmic upheaval and human distress.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all apparent stability and security in this world is temporary and subject to Allah's absolute will, encouraging constant mindfulness of the Hereafter and moral accountability. It serves as a powerful reminder to prepare spiritually for the inevitable meeting with our Creator rather than placing false confidence in worldly permanence.