Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Inshiqaq (The Sundering) depicts the sky bursting open and obeying its Lord, and the earth casting out its contents. It explains that every human is striving toward their Lord in a journey that will end in meeting Him. The chapter contrasts the joy of those given their record in their right hand with the despair of those receiving it behind their backs.
Transliteration
Itha alssamao inshaqqat
Translation
When the sky is ruptured
Describes the cosmic rupture of the sky on Judgment Day, tearing apart in absolute obedience to the decree of its Creator.
Transliteration
Waathinat lirabbiha wahuqqat
Translation
And hearkens to its Lord, as it must
Transliteration
Waitha alardu muddat
Translation
And when the earth is leveled out
Transliteration
Waalqat ma feeha watakhallat
Translation
And casts out what is in it, and becomes empty
Transliteration
Waathinat lirabbiha wahuqqat
Translation
And hearkens to its Lord, as it must
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alinsanu innaka kadihun ila rabbika kadhan famulaqeehi
Translation
O man! You are laboring towards your Lord, and you will meet Him
The universal human reality: 'O human being, you are laboring toward your Lord with strenuous labor ('Kadh') and you are destined to meet Him.' Acknowledges that earthly life is an unavoidable, continuous journey of toil and effort, assuring that all struggles culminate in meeting the Creator.
Transliteration
Faama man ootiya kitabahu biyameenihi
Translation
As for him who is given his book in his right hand
Transliteration
Fasawfa yuhasabu hisaban yaseeran
Translation
He will have an easy settlement
Explains 'The Easy Accounting' ('Hisaban Yasira'): when Aisha asked about this verse, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that this refers to a gentle presentation of one's record where God overlooks lapses and grants pardon; he added that whoever is subjected to strict, meticulous cross-examination ('Nuqisha al-Hisab') will be held accountable.
Transliteration
Wayanqalibu ila ahlihi masrooran
Translation
And will return to his family delighted
Transliteration
Waamma man ootiya kitabahu waraa thahrihi
Translation
But as for him who is given his book behind his back
Describes the posture of disgrace: the unrepentant sinner has his left arm contorted backward behind his spine ('Wara'a dhahrih') to receive his shameful record.
Transliteration
Fasawfa yadAAoo thubooran
Translation
He will call for death
Transliteration
Wayasla saAAeeran
Translation
And will enter the Blaze
Transliteration
Innahu kana fee ahlihi masrooran
Translation
He used to be happy among his family
Transliteration
Innahu thanna an lan yahoora
Translation
He thought he would never return
Transliteration
Bala inna rabbahu kana bihi baseeran
Translation
In fact, his Lord was watching him
Transliteration
Fala oqsimu bialshshafaqi
Translation
I swear by the twilight
God swears by the radiant reddish twilight glow that lingers in the western sky immediately after sunset, marking the transition from day to night.
Transliteration
Waallayli wama wasaqa
Translation
And by the night, and what it covers
God swears by the dark night and everything it herds, gathers, and shelters—creatures returning to their nests, travelers seeking shelter, and darkness covering the earth.
Transliteration
Waalqamari itha ittasaqa
Translation
And by the moon, as it grows full
God swears by the brilliant full moon ('Al-Badr') when its illuminated surface is completely round and fully radiant.
Transliteration
Latarkabunna tabaqan AAan tabaqin
Translation
You will mount stage by stage
A profound observation on the stages of human evolution: 'You will surely journey from stage to stage' ('Tabaqan 'an tabaq')—referring to the physical, biological, and metaphysical transitions of existence: dust to womb, infancy to strength, aging to death, the intermediate realm (Barzakh), and eventual resurrection.
Transliteration
Fama lahum la yuminoona
Translation
What is the matter with them that they do not believe
Transliteration
Waitha quria AAalayhimu alquranu la yasjudoona
Translation
And when the Quran is read to them, they do not bow down
The prostration verse of Surah Al-Inshiqaq: rebukes those whose hearts remain too proud to humble themselves in prostration (Sujud) when hearing divine revelation. Readers and listeners traditionally perform a prostration upon reciting this verse.
Transliteration
Bali allatheena kafaroo yukaththiboona
Translation
In fact, those who disbelieve are in denial
Transliteration
WaAllahu aAAlamu bima yooAAoona
Translation
But God knows what they hide inside
Transliteration
Fabashshirhum biAAathabin aleemin
Translation
So inform them of a painful punishment
Transliteration
Illa allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lahum ajrun ghayru mamnoonin
Translation
Except those who believe and do good deeds; they will have an undiminished reward