Sūrah 99
Sūrah al-Zilzāl
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The first sūrah warns the Quraysh of the situation that will arise on the Day of Judgement, while the second, with reference to this situation, warns them of the attitude they had adopted about God in spite of being blessed with His tremendous favours.
Both sūrahs are directed at the leadership of the Quraysh. It is evident from their topics that, like the previous sūrahs, they were also revealed in Makkah a little before Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) migration to Madīnah in the phase of conclusive communication of the truth (itmām al-ḥujjah) of his preaching mission.
The theme of Sūrah al-Zilzāl is to warn the Quraysh that they must not remain under any sort of misconception about the Day of Judgement; nothing on that day shall remain hidden from God. Every deed of a person whether good or bad, small or big shall come before him with full certainty.
The theme of Sūrah al-‘Ādiyāt is to warn them to observe the atmosphere of loot, plunder and insecurity around them. It is merely because of their relationship with the House of God that they are living peacefully in such surroundings. The favours they enjoy because of their relationship with this House naturally entailed that they should have expressed gratitude to God; however, they should contemplate the fate that they will encounter because of the attitude they have adopted.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
When the earth is shaken the way it will be shaken, and the earth casts out all its burdens. And man shall say: “What is the matter with her?” On that day, she will narrate all her story because your Lord would have asked her.
On that day, people will emerge separately so that their deeds can be shown to them. Then whoever has done the smallest bit of good, shall also see it, and whoever has done the smallest bit of evil, shall also see it.