Quranic Passage 9

Surah 99 (Az-Zalzalah)

إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا O وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا O وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَا لَهَا O يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا O بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا O يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ O فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ O وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُۥ

Translation

1. When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion, 2. And the earth throws up her burdens, 3. And man cries out: ‘What is the matter with her?’, 4. On that day will she declare her tidings: 5. For that your Lord will have given her inspiration. 6. On that day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown their deeds. 7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see it! 8. And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.

Main Theme(s)

The main themes are: God's Power; the Last Day; responsibility for actions; justice for all.

This passage is from the theme of God’s relationship with the creation and talks about God’s power over all things and the Last Day. It says that the earth is shaken, destroying what He created, i.e. He has the power to give life or death. Everything will be destroyed. The Holy Qur’an says:

“And when the earth is flattened out, And casts forth what is within it and becomes (clean) empty.” (84:3-4, Al-Inshiqaq)

God gives the earth a voice to say what has been done on her, from environmental abuse to neglect of resources. People will be responsible for their actions on earth and given their accounts. God will give people their accounts, which will take them to Heaven or Hell.

Importance of these Themes in a Muslim’s life today

These teachings tell humans that everyone will be judged on the Last Day. The Last Day creates a fear of accountability, reminding Muslims to stay on the straight path. Good deeds will be rewarded, encouraging Muslims to do good always, e.g. following the pillars of Islam, being honest and helping others. It keeps them away from sinful things like lying, cheating, gossiping, not obeying God’s commandments, etc. It helps Muslims understand the temporary nature of the world which stops them being distracted by worldly things, fashion or money, etc. The Holy Qur’an refers:

“Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; But the Hereafter is better and more enduring.” (87:16-17, Al-A’la)

Muslims feel comforted by God's justice that no good deed will go unnoticed or bad deed unpunished.