The surah Al-Infitar (“The Splitting Apart”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 19 verses, revealed early in the Prophet’s ﷺ mission when the Quraysh still denied resurrection and the Day of Judgment. The word Al-Infitar means “to split” or “to tear apart,” referring to the opening scene in which the sky will be torn asunder on the Day of Resurrection.
According to Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurtubī, this surah forms an eschatological trilogy with At-Takwir and Al-Inshiqaq, portraying the cosmic upheaval at the world’s end and the souls’ appearance before God. The Prophet ﷺ said, as reported by At-Tirmidhī (no. 3334): Whoever wishes to see the Day of Resurrection as if it were before his eyes, let him recite At-Takwir, Al-Infitar, and Al-Inshiqaq.
Main Teachings and Notable Insights
The surah Al-Infitar emphasizes the moral and spiritual responsibility of humankind before God and the certainty of the Final Judgment. Its core teachings include:
- The cosmic signs of the world’s end: the sky will split, the stars will scatter, the seas will overflow, and the graves will open. (verses 1–5)
- A reminder of the Creator’s generosity in shaping man in perfect harmony. (verses 6–8)
- Every human is watched by recording angels who document all deeds. (verses 10–12)
- The Day of Judgment will come when every soul faces the consequence of its actions. (verses 13–19)
This surah highlights God’s perfect justice and calls for gratitude and awareness toward the Creator.
Structure and Central Themes
- Cosmic upheaval (verses 1–5): apocalyptic imagery of the Last Day.
- Reminder of creation (verses 6–8): God shaped man in balance and perfection.
- Recording of deeds (verses 9–12): the angels meticulously write every action.
- Final outcome (verses 13–19): the righteous will rejoice, the wicked will face retribution.
The tone is solemn, vivid, and moral, aiming to awaken human conscience with reminders of divine vigilance and the certainty of judgment.
Key Verse
The central verse of the surah is verse 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ الْكَرِيمِ
O man! What has deceived you concerning your generous Lord?
Why is this verse key?
- It summarizes the core moral message: human ingratitude and delusion before God’s generosity.
- It urges introspection: how can man neglect the One who created, shaped, and blessed him?
- It reflects the balance between mercy and justice: God is generous, but His generosity does not nullify accountability.
In summary, Al-Infitar powerfully portrays the end of the world, individual responsibility, and divine mercy. It calls every believer to remember the Creator, remain conscious of their deeds, and prepare for the Day when the heavens will split apart and none shall escape divine justice.