Surah 99: Az-Zalzalah
The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Commentary (Five Volume Commentary)
[a]In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[a] See 1:1.
When the earth is shaken with her violent shaking,[4804]
[4804] Important Words:
زلزلت (is shaken). زلزل الله الارض means, God made the earth to quake violently, or put the earth into a state of convulsion or violent motion. زلزل فلانا means, he frightened such a one and terrified him. زلزل الابل means, he drove the camels with violence or vehemence, means an earthquake, convulsion, commotion or violent agitation; a great calamity (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The expression زلزلت الارض زلزالھا means that the whole earth will experience all manner of internal as well as external commotion and upheavals. In our time not only has the earth been constantly shaken by most destructive earthquakes, wars and other calamities and catastrophes at frequent intervals, but also its dwellers have been subjected to violent and virulent agitation in every walk of life. Man has experienced catastrophic changes never witnessed by him before.
And the earth throws up her burdens,[4805]
[4805] Important Words:
أثقالھا (her burdens) is the plural of ثقل which is inf. noun from ثقل (thaqula) which means, it was or became heavy, weighty or ponderous, or it became preponderant ideally; it was or became oppressive or grievous. ثقل (thiqlun) means, luggage of a traveller; household goods; anything held in high estimate or anything which is in much demand and is preserved; treasure or buried treasure; burden (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse may have one of the following interpretations:
1. The bowels of the earth will be ripped open and it will throw up its treasures of mineral wealth.
2. There will be a vast release and upsurge of knowledge of all kinds, relating to physical as well as spiritual sciences, especially in the sciences of geology and archaeology.
3. People will throw off the yoke of their rulers and religious leaders and will revolt against oppression, throwing the yoke of subjection off their shoulders.
And man says, ‘What is the matter with her?’[4806]
[4806] Commentary:
The changes will be so many and so far reaching and the discoveries made so great that one will exclaim in wonder and bewilderment: "What is the matter with the earth!"
That day will she tell her news,[4807]
[4807] Commentary:
All prophecies concerning the present age will be fulfilled and all that had hitherto remained obscure will become manifest. The verse may also mean that the science of geology will make great strides. When asked about the meaning of the verse, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said that every action done in secret will come to light (Tirmidhi).
For thy Lord will have revealed about her.[4808]
[4808] Commentary:
At about 65 places in the Holy Qur’an, excluding the present verse, wherever the word وحی has been used, it is followed by the preposition الی. In the verse under comment, however, it is followed by the particle ل which being synonymous with فی means, "concerning," and the verse means, the Lord has sent down the revelation concerning her, the recipient of the revelation—the Holy Prophet—being left unmentioned. The word أوحی also means, he commanded. In this sense of the word, the verse would mean that the earth will throw out its treasures because it is commanded by God to do so.
On that day will men come forth in scattered groups that they may be shown the results of their works.[4809]
[4809] Commentary:
The verse means that in the time of the Promised Messiah, in order to protect and safeguard their political, social and economic interests, people will form themselves into parties, companies and groups. There will be political parties and parties formed on economic basis; and powerful guilds, cartels and syndicates will also come into existence.
The words "that they may be shown the results of their works" signify that individuals will pool their resources, and collective effort will take the place of individual effort in order that they might make their weight felt and their labours might lead to some result.
[a]Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it,
[a] 4:124-125; 17:8; 28:85; 41:47.
[b]And whoso does an atom’s weight of evil will also see it.[4810]
[b] 99:8.
[4810] Commentary:
The principle that no action of man, good or bad, is wasted and must produce some result, has been explained variously in the Holy Qur’an. These two verses contain at once a message of solace and comfort for the righteous, and a warning for the evildoers, that they shall reap the consequences of their actions.