Tafseer of Surah al-Qariah

Explanation of the Maki Surah 'Al Qaari'ah' "The Striking Hour"

In the Name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.

1. The striking Hour i.e. the Day of Resurrection. 2. What is the striking Hour? 3. And what will make you know what the striking Hour is? 4. It is the Day people will be like scattered moths, 5. And the mountains will be like carded wool, 6. So as for those whose scale is heavy with good deeds, 7. He will live the most pleasant life in Paradise 8. And as for those whose scale is light, 9. He will have his home in Hell. 10. And what will make you realize what that is? 11. It is a hot blazing Fire!

(1-3) "The Striking Hour" is one of the names given to the Day of Judgment. It is called so because its horrors strike and disturb people with fear. It is for this reason that Allah stressed its gravity and severity by asking, "What is the striking Hour? And what will make you know what the striking Hour is?"

(4) "It is a day people will be…" due to fear and horror, "like scattered moths", like scattered locusts, randomly running into each other, not knowing where they are going. Then, when a fire is lit, they rush straight into it, unable to perceive its danger. On that Day, despite people being rational creatures, this will be their state.

(5) "As for the firm, mighty mountains, then they will be like carded wool,” feeble and of such weight that the least gust of wind cause them to flutter away. Allah says, “And you see the mountains that you deem solid flying with the flight of clouds" (27:88).” Then, the mountains shall become like scattered dust, and no perceivable trace of them will remain. Then, the Scale will be erected and people will be divided into two categories: the happy and the wretched.

(6-7) "So as for those whose scale is heavy with good deeds,” i.e. his good deeds outweigh his bad "they will live the most pleasant life in Paradise,” in the Gardens of Bliss.

(8-11) "But as for those whose scales are light", whose good deeds do not compare to his bad "they will have their home in Hell", his abode and final destination. It will be like a mother to him who always sticks close to him just as Allah says, “surely the punishment in it is lasting and clinging” (25:65). It is also said that the meaning is that his mind will be hurled into Hellfire, meaning that he will be thrown into Hell headfirst. "What will make you realize what it is?!" asked by way of emphasizing its severity, then the answer is given: “a hot blazing Fire", seventy times hotter than the fire of this world! We seek Allah's protection from it!