The verses of Surah Zilzal begin with a description of the horrors and events of the Day of Judgment in the most precise details. Here is an explanation of the verses that talk about that: [1]

Surah Zilzal - What It talks about?

Surah ZilZal - Verse 1

(إذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا)

This means that the earth shakes and moves with a powerful and unprecedented movement, leading to the destruction of everything above it, in preparation for the Day of Judgment.

Surah ZilZal - Verse 2

(وَأَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا)

There are various interpretations of this verse. Al-Nasafi said that the dead and treasures are like burdens inside the earth. Because of the horrors of the Day of Judgment, the earth will bring out these burdens of treasures and dead from its depths. 

the earth brings out its burdens by extracting its dead, because of the horrors of the Day of Judgment and preparing for the presentation before Allah for the start of accountability and the distribution of records of deeds.

Surah ZilZal - Verse 3

(وَقَالَ الْإِنسَانُ مَا لَهَا)

The third verse of Surah Zilzal describes the state of the believer and the disbeliever after the second blowing of the trumpet. This verse describes the astonishment of humans at the intense movement that occurred on the earth from the second blowing of the trumpet and the wonder at the resurrection of the dead to life again after the first blowing of the trumpet.

At that moment, the state of the disbeliever differs from that of the believer. The disbeliever is surprised and astonished because of his lack of prior faith in the resurrection. As for the believer, he knows that it is the truth from his Lord because he believed in the Day of Judgment, the resurrection, and accountability.

Verse 4 and 5 Of Surah ZilZal

Interpretation of the verses related to the testimony of the earth on human deeds:

Verses 4 and 5 of Surah Zilzal describe the state of the earth on the Day of Judgment and how it will testify against humans. In the following interpretation of these noble verses, we find that on that day,

(يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا)

the earth will reveal all the good and bad deeds of human beings that were done on its surface. This event will surprise people, and they will wonder how the earth can speak and bear witness against their actions.

(بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَى لَهَا)

The reason for the earth’s testimony is that Allah (SWT) has inspired it to do so. He has allowed it to speak and ordered it to testify against the people’s actions to establish proof against them on the Day of Judgment. This is a confirmation that Allah (SWT) has power over everything.

Surah ZilZal - Verse 6

(يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ)

Interpretation of the verse related to people’s resurrection for judgment:

This noble verse from Surah Zilzal talks about the people’s conditions on the Day of Judgment and how their deeds will be presented to them. Allah (SWT) says, “On that Day, people will come forth separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.” 

On the Day of Judgment, when people are resurrected, they will be divided into two groups, the companions of the right hand (those who will enter paradise) and the companions of the left (those who will enter Hell). Some scholars believe that this division occurs after the accountability and presentation of deeds to Allah (SWT). Then they will know their position in Paradise or Hell.

Moreover, some scholars say that people’s emergence from their graves on the Day of Judgment will be according to their different states. The faces of the people of Paradise will be white, happy, and content with the good deeds they performed in their earthly life.

On the other hand, the faces of the people of Hell will be black, scared, and regretful of the evil they did in their earthly life and their lack of preparation for such a day.

Verse 7 and 8 Of Surah ZilZal

Interpretation of the verses related to the reward of obedience and punishment of disobedience:

Verses 7 and 8 of Surah Zilzal describe the rewards and punishments for the believers and the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment. In the following interpretation of these noble verses, we find that Allah (SWT) will reward the believers according to their good deeds and punish the disbelievers according to their evil deeds.

(فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ)

This means that the good deeds that a person does in their life, even if they are as small as an atom, will be recorded in their book of deeds and they will receive their reward on the Day of Judgment. 

The verse calls on every person to do good deeds and strive to please Allah because, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will fully reward people for their good deeds, even if they are very small

(فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ)

On the other hand, whoever does an atom’s weight of evil, whether it is harmful to themselves or others, will have it recorded in their book of deeds and will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment for their actions.

The verse warns people to stay away from bad deeds, no matter how small they may be, because they will be presented in their book of deeds on the Day of Judgment, and they will be held accountable for them in front of all creation.

 

The Meaning Of Surah Zilzal

First, let’s take a look at the surah.

surah zilzal (1)

إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا (1)

When the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake,

وَأَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا (2)

And the earth brings forth its burdens,

وَقَالَ الْإِنْسَانُ مَا لَهَا (3)

And man says, “What is the matter with it?”

يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا (4)

That Day, it will report its news

بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَى لَهَا (5)

Because your Lord has inspired it.

يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ (6)

That Day, people will proceed in scattered groups to be shown their deeds.

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ (7) So

whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it,

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ (8)

And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

Is surah zilzal makki or madni?

Surah Zilzal is a Makki Surah, which means it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before he migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

What is The Meaning of surah Zilzal?

Surah Zilzal has many benefits for the believers who recite and reflect upon its verses. Some of its benefits include:
  • Protection from calamities and disasters: Surah Zilzal is believed to provide protection from natural disasters and calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and storms.
  • Forgiveness of sins: Recitation of Surah Zilzal is also believed to bring forgiveness of sins for the believers, and help them in seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
  • Increase in faith: Reciting Surah Zilzal can increase one’s faith in Allah and help in strengthening their connection with the Creator.
  • Reflecting on the Day of Judgment: Surah Zilzal reminds believers of the Day of Judgment and encourages them to lead a righteous life and perform good deeds.
  • Protection from the punishment of the grave: It is believed that reciting Surah Zilzal can provide protection from the punishment of the grave and grant ease to the believers in the afterlife.
Overall, Surah Zilzal serves as a reminder to the believers of the importance of following Allah’s commands and leading a righteous life.

Conclusion of surah zilzal:

Surah Zilzal is a chapter of the Quran that describes the horrors and events of the Day of Judgment. The verses of this surah provide us with a glimpse of what will happen on that day.

 

The interpretation of the verses related to the Day of Judgment helps us to better understand their meaning. As we read and understand these verses, we are reminded of the importance of our faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment.