This is the first of four short Sūrahs focused on reminding us about the Last Day. These four Sūrahs are grouped together because of their common theme. Each Sūrah is very brief (eight to eleven verses), poetic and powerful. The focus in each Sūrah is one a different image of the Last Day. This Sūrah focuses on the image of the earth shaking and speaking, and spilling its secrets.
Scholars differ over the name of this Sūrah. It is commonly referred to either as Sūrah az-Zilzāl or Sūrah az-Zalzalah. Both of these names reference the earthquake mentioned in the first verse of the Sūrah. Scholars also differ on whether this is a Makkan or Madinan Sūrah. The content seems Makkan, but some scholars believe it was an early Madinan Sūrah revealed soon after the migration. Allah knows best.
The theme of the Sūrah is the end of the world, the gathering of the Last Day, and the judgment of our deeds. This is a common theme in the short Sūrahs of the Quran and of Makkan revelation in general. The Sūrah is short, precise and powerful in its reminder about the Last Day. The goal is to remind us that the Day of Judgment is coming, so let us prepare for it.
The World Will End
The end of the world is a reality. This world was not created to last forever. It is a temporary abode to test us. One day, this earth will shake and shatter and come to an end. Then every creature will be resurrected for Judgment. It is on that Day of Judgment that our final destination will be decided.
The wise believer is the one who lives their life preparing for that day. Nobody knows when the Day of Judgment will occur. Nobody knows when their own life will end. Some people live in this world for ninety years, while others leave this world at a very young age. This uncertainty should keep us focused on what matters most; preparing for the Last Day.
The reason why so many Sūrahs revolve around the concept of the Last Day is because it is the most important day in our lives. It is the one day that every human is guaranteed to experience, and our entire Afterlife depends on the results of that day. It is foolish to live one’s life in a way as if that day will never come. This Sūrah is a firm reminder to prepare for that day.
Everything Will Be a Witness
One of the scarier aspects of the Last Day is the fact that everything will be a witness to our deeds. In this Sūrah, Allah informs us that on that day, the earth will speak and testify to the actions committed on it. There will be no secrets on the Last Day, no deeds that can remain hidden, except what Allah chooses to keep hidden.
The earth is not the only creature that will bear witness on that day. Other verses of the Quran inform us that even our own limbs will testify against us. These verses should make us think twice about committing sins. Sometimes we feel bold to commit a sin when it seems like nobody is watching. But Allah is always watching, and He has surrounded us with witnesses.
When a person sins with their eyes and hands in a quiet empty room, then the room, the eyes and the hands all become witnesses against him. There is no such thing as a sin that goes unwitnessed. Not only do these things witness and testify against us, but so do the angels who record our deeds. There is no escape from Allah, and no deed that is not witness by a creation of Allah. So let the sinner beware.
Every little deed counts
The Sūrah ends with a reminder that on that day every small deed we ever did will count, either for us or against us. Even a good deed the size of an atom can make the biggest difference on our scale. Likewise, minor sins the size of atoms can also weigh heavy on the scale if they were committed often. These verses serve as a warning against minor sins, and an encouragement to small acts of kindness.
We tend to look at minor sins as insignificant. Yet these can count against us on the Last Day, if they are accumulated without good deeds to balance the scales. Reality is that it is impossible to live a life without any minor sins. Allah created humans weak and part of that weakness is that committing minor sins is inevitable. Minor sins like looking at the opposite gender with lust, using vulgar language, lying and hurting people’s feelings are committed daily without even realizing it. This is part of human weakness.
To balance this, He created many means of forgiveness for minor sins. Praying five times a day, giving charity, fasting the month of Ramadan, Hajj, Umrah and seeking forgiveness all wipe away minor sins. With so many opportunities to have our minor sins wiped away, it will only be our own fault if we come on the Last Day with our minor sins piled up. This verse should make us think twice about committing minor sins, or at the least, remind us to seek forgiveness whenever we fall into minor sins.
It is equally important not to undermine any good deed. There is no such thing as a good deed that is too small. Nobody knows which good deed could earn them Paradise or serve as a means of forgiveness for their sins. There are many popular stories of people who were forgiven for their sins due to small good deeds.
Whether it was feeding a thirsty dog or giving a date in charity, every good deed done with sincerity counts. This should encourage us to do every good deed we can possibly do because we do not know which good deed will weigh heaviest on our scale on the Last Day.
