The surah Az-Zalzalah (“The Earthquake”) is a Madinan surah consisting of 8 verses, though some scholars consider it Meccan due to its eschatological tone. It was revealed to describe the events of the Day of Judgment and remind humankind that every action will be accounted for, no matter how small.
According to Ibn Kathīr, this surah was revealed to instill awe and awareness of the moral weight of deeds, even the slightest ones. It depicts the cosmic earthquake that will mark the end of the world and the resurrection of all beings.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
Az-Zalzalah offers a striking vision of the Day of Judgment and of divine justice. Its main teachings include:
- The earth will bear witness: on the Last Day, it will reveal everything it contains, exposing human deeds. (verses 1–4)
- Universal testimony: creation itself will testify before God, with nothing omitted or concealed. (verse 5)
- Individual judgment: every person will see the result of their deeds, even those as small as an atom. (verses 6–8)
- Moral responsibility: the surah calls for spiritual vigilance, for nothing escapes the knowledge of Allah.
It reminds believers that true faith is inseparable from constant awareness of one’s actions and the certainty of returning to God.
Structure and Main Themes
- Verses 1–2: Description of the great earthquake at the end of time.
- Verses 3–5: The earth testifies to human actions in obedience to divine command.
- Verses 6–8: The final judgment is revealed—each person will see the good or evil they have done.
The tone of the surah is solemn and introspective, aiming to awaken moral consciousness through the depiction of God’s absolute justice.
Key Verses
The key verses of the surah are verses 7–8:
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ * وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ
So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
Why are these verses key?
- They summarize Allah’s perfect justice: not a single deed, however small, is lost.
- They emphasize universal moral accountability: every individual will face the consequences of their actions.
- They express a foundational principle of Islamic belief: reward and punishment are delivered with complete fairness and precision.
In summary, Az-Zalzalah is a divine warning and moral reminder. It teaches that the Day of Judgment will be defined by absolute truth—every action, good or bad, will be revealed in perfect justice.