Chapter 84 - 67
Breaking Apart (Surah Al-Inshiqaq)
(25 verses in total; Late Makkan)
This is a short and beautiful chapter that draws parallel to our life and the natural world – our transition from this earthly life to the next life is like the transition of day and night, the stages that the moon goes through, the way the heavens and the earth will be transformed that their current state to a new state. Our lives are bound by these natural transformations that the heavens and the earth accept without exception or hesitation!
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· With the advent of resurrection, the heavens and the earth will transform forcing our own transformation to a second living
· Human beings are asked to self-initiate this transformation before it is forced on us by natural event already pre-ordained
· The book of life will be made available to everyone, and the consequences will follow
· Believers who did good will have continuous and measured gifts according to their pursuits and the disbelievers who did evils will face the grave consequences
In the name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
When the heaven breaks apart, and
Hearkens to God, as it must without exception!
When the earth is stretched
Expelling its contents, becoming empty
Obeying God, as it must without exception! (v. 1-5)
O Humankind!
You must labor diligently towards God
As you will meet God without exception! (v. 6)
As for them who receive their Record (qitab) in their right hands
Will have an easy accounting
Delighted as they return to their loved ones! (v. 7-9)
As for them who receive their Record blindfolded1
They will seek avoidance at all costs
But will have no choice other than entering the burning Fire
Sure, they were happy among their people before
Thinking – we will never come back to God! (v. 10-14)
Well, their Sustainer God sees them all
Witness, if you will, the sun arriving with morning brightness
The night with its darkness
The moon – its fullness (in stages)
You too will move from one state of being2 to another (v. 15-19)
How is it that they do not believe?
When the Qur’an is read out, they do not submit?3
Indeed, those who disbelieve are nothing but liars
God is fully aware of what they keep to themselves
Let them know that severe consequences are due (v. 20-24)
Except those who believe and do good
Their rewards will continue unceasing, undiminished! (v. 25)
1Literally behind their back, other times it is mentioned that they will be given their record in their left hand
2From life to death to resurrection or from denial to acceptance or from childhood to maturity to old age
3When such a verse is recited or read from the Qur’an, believing Muslims will stop reading and go to prostration as a sign of devotion to God, to be separated from those who do not submit
