Sūrah al-Qiyāmah (75) — The Qur’ān Translated

Introduction to this pair

Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The first sūrah substantiates the Day of Judgement by the testimony of the reproaching soul, while the second by the divine inspiration of good and evil in a person’s soul. The element of warning is prominent in the first sūrah whereas that of glad tidings in the second.

The sūrahs basically address the leadership of the Quraysh and it is evident from their topics that like the previous sūrahs they were also revealed in Makkah in the phase of open warning (indhār-i ‘ām) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.

The theme of both sūrahs is to substantiate the Day of Judgement and to warn the Quraysh with its reference.

1–6

[Do they deny the Day of Judgement?] By no means! I present as witness the Day of Judgement. And by no means! I present as witness this reproaching soul [within you]. Does man think that We will not be able to bring together his bones? Why not! We are able to put together even the sections of his fingers. [No, this is not so]; in fact, the truth is that man wants to be mischievous before his conscience. He asks: “When will the Day of Judgement come?”

7–15

Then when the sight is dazed and the moon eclipsed and the sun and the moon are both brought together, this very man will say on that day: “Whither to flee?” – By no means! There is no refuge now! On that day, towards your Lord will be the resting place. On that day, man will be informed what he has sent forth and what he has left behind. In fact, the truth is that man himself is a witness upon his own self, however much he may put up excuses for himself.

16–19

[O Prophet!] To swiftly acquire this [Qur’ān in the haste of conclusively communicating the truth to them], do not quickly move your tongue over it; [it will continue to be revealed like this; rest assured that] upon Us is its collection and recital. So, when [at that time] We recite it, follow that recital of it. Then upon Us is to explain it [for you wherever need be].¹

20–25

[O People! You cannot deny it;] certainly not! In fact, the truth is that you only love this which is immediate and remain heedless of what is to come later. [But it will turn up and turn up in a manner that] many faces will be joyous on that day awaiting the graciousness of their Lord, and many faces will be gloomy on that day knowing that there is going to strike them that which will shatter their backs.

26–30

[No, you cannot deny it;] certainly not! On the day when the soul gets stuck in the collar-bone and it is said: “Is there any enchanter now?” And man will know that it is parting time and the shank will embrace the shank. That will be the day of departure towards your Lord.²

31–35

But [look at man!] He neither believed in the good fate of the Hereafter nor offered the prayer; on the contrary, he denied and turned away. Then he went to his people conceitedly. Woe be to you, then woe be to you! And again woe be to you, then woe be to you!

Does man think that he will be left to go like this? Was he not a trivial drop of fluid that is poured forth? Then he became a clot [from it]. Then God created him; then fashioned him in due proportion; then made pairs of him: male and female. Is that Lord

36–40

now not able to raise the dead to life?