Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Qari'ah (The Calamity) takes its name from the earth-shattering event of the Day of Judgment. It describes a day when humanity will be scattered like moths and the mountains will be like carded wool, outlining the weighing of deeds: those with heavy scales will find a pleasant life, while those with light scales will be cast into a blazing pit.
Transliteration
AlqariAAatu
Translation
The Shocker
Names the Day of Resurrection 'Al-Qari'ah'—the catastrophic event whose sonic and cosmic shock strikes terror into hearts and shatters the physical universe.
Transliteration
Ma alqariAAatu
Translation
What is the Shocker
A rhetorical repetition that magnifies the awe and terrifying weight of the Day of Resurrection.
Transliteration
Wama adraka ma alqariAAatu
Translation
What will explain to you what the Shocker is
Affirms that no mortal mind can grasp the sheer reality of that Day until it physically occurs.
Transliteration
Yawma yakoonu alnnasu kaalfarashi almabthoothi
Translation
The Day when the people will be like scattered moths
A vivid apocalyptic visual: describes panicked human beings scattered across the landscape in chaotic disarray like swarms of blinded, dispersed moths ('Kal-farashi al-mabthuth').
Transliteration
Watakoonu aljibalu kaalAAihni almanfooshi
Translation
And the mountains will be like tufted wool
Describes mountain ranges reduced to weightless, carded, fluffed wool ('Kal-'ihni al-manfush') tumbling in the cosmic wind.
Transliteration
Faamma man thaqulat mawazeenuhu
Translation
As for he whose scales are heavy
The cosmic scales of justice: whoever has their scale of righteous deeds, good character, and sincere prayers weigh heavy will be granted a life of eternal joy and supreme contentment.
Transliteration
Fahuwa fee AAeeshatin radiyatin
Translation
He will be in a pleasant life
Transliteration
Waamma man khaffat mawazeenuhu
Translation
But as for he whose scales are light
Transliteration
Faommuhu hawiyatun
Translation
His home is the Abyss
An evocative psychological image of Hellfire: just as a mother clings tightly to and embraces her child, the fiery abyss ('Hawiyah') will engulf the unrepentant sinner.
Transliteration
Wama adraka ma hiyah
Translation
Do you know what it is
Demands reflection on the horrifying nature of this pit of punishment.
Transliteration
Narun hamiyatun
Translation
A Raging Fire
Identifies the abyss as a blazing, fiercely roaring Fire whose heat is exponentially greater than any earthly fire.