Juz 30: An-Nabaʾ to An-Nās
Section 16 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
16. Surah Al-Qari'ah through Al-Humazah: Judgment Day and Wealth
Surah Al-Qari'ah begins with a powerful reference to the Striking Calamity—another name for the Day of Judgment:
الْقَارِعَةُ
“The Striking Calamity!”
مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
“What is the Striking Calamity?”
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
“And what would let you know what the Striking Calamity is?”
This rhetorical sequence emphasizes the enormity of this event. On that day, people will be like scattered moths:
يَوْمَ يَكُونُ النَّاسُ كَالْفَرَاشِ الْمَبْثُوثِ
“A day when people will be like scattered moths.”
Even the mountains, symbols of permanence and stability, will be reduced to wisps:
وَتَكُونُ الْجِبَالُ كَالْعِهْنِ الْمَنفُوشِ
“And the mountains will be like carded wool.”
The surah then establishes the ultimate balance—those whose scales are heavy with good deeds will enjoy a pleasant life, while those whose scales are light will have their abode in the "háwiyah" (abyss).
Surah At-Takathur addresses mankind's preoccupation with worldly accumulation:
أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ
“Competition in (worldly) increase diverts you.”
This competitive accumulation of wealth, status, and possessions distracts people until they reach their graves. Allah warns that such diversion is temporary:
حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ
“Until you visit the graveyards.”
The grave reveals the fleeting nature of worldly possessions. No amount of wealth can satisfy human greed—only the soil of the grave ultimately fills this void. On the Day of Judgment, people will be questioned about every blessing they enjoyed in this world.
Surah Al-'Asr presents one of the most concise yet comprehensive summaries of salvation in the Quran:
وَالْعَصْرِ
“I swear by the Time,”
إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
“Man is in a state of loss indeed,”
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
“Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and exhort each other to follow truth, and exhort each other to observe patience.”
Imam Shafi'i noted that if mankind deeply contemplated just this surah, it would be sufficient for salvation. It identifies four essential qualities for success: faith, good deeds, mutual encouragement to truth, and mutual encouragement to patience.
Surah Al-Humazah severely condemns those who slander and backbite:
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
“Woe to every backbiter, derider”