This is post #30 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).
Allah says, in Surah Qaari’ah:
الْقَارِعَةُ
مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
Translation: The Striking Calamity – What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what is the Striking Calamity? [Surah Qaariah, verses 1-3]
As we mentioned, the phrase in verse three–“wa maa adaraaka maa …,” is a phrase that means that, you cannot understand this thing–Al-Qaari’ah, the striking calamity. And you will never understand Al-Qaari’ah.
But, Allah (azza wa jal) always gives us just a little glimpse of what this thing is that He says we will never be able to fully understand:
يَوْمَ يَكُونُ النَّاسُ كَالْفَرَاشِ الْمَبْثُوثِ
Translation: It is the Day when people will be like moths, dispersed, [Surah Al-Qaariah, verse 4]
Have you ever seen moths flying into a campfire? How they all jumble together and bump into each other as they attempt to fly into it?
That is how the human being will be on that day.
وَتَكُونُ الْجِبَالُ كَالْعِهْنِ الْمَنفُوشِ
Translation: And the mountains will be like wool, fluffed up. [Surah Qari’ah, verse 5]
See those big, strong mountains in National Geographic? Tough. Unmovable. On that day, they will be like carded wool.
Obliterated. Not just broken into pieces; but utterly obliterated. What will be the state of the human being on a day that mountains will be obliterated? Subhanallah, this is Al-Qaari’ah.
But there’s hope! Allah says:
فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ
فَهُوَ فِي عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ
Translation: Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], He will be in a pleasant life. [Surah Qaari’ah, verses 6-7].
Allah says heavy. The one who’s deeds are heavy. Is it easy carrying something heavy, like an elephant? No way! Similarly, to qualify for heavy deeds, it’s hard work! And the work starts now, today.
Now think about this. You’re standing there, watching the sun wrapped up, and the stars fading, and the mountains blown away, and the beasts running wild …
Where do kids go when they’re scared? To their parents; or to their mother. It’s almost as if the person who did sins and evil deeds, would run to their mother.
But Allah says:
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ
فَأُمُّهُ هَاوِيَةٌ
Translation: But as for one whose scales are light, His refuge will be Haawiyah. [Surah Qariah, verses 8-9]
Literally, if you read the Arabic, it says “fa ummuhu haawiyah,” his mother will be Haawiyah.
Who is haawiyah?
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا هِيَهْ
نَارٌ حَامِيَةٌ
Translation: And what can make you know what that is? (Meaning, we will never know what it is; but here’s a glimpse:) It is a Fire, intensely hot. [Surah Qaari’ah, verses 10-11]
His mother will be blazing-hot fire. Subhanallah.
Wallahu ta’ala a’lam.
Action Items:
- Contemplate Al-Qaari’ah. This great day is something that would make the companions–some of them, like ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab or ‘Al ibn Abi Talib (radiallahu ‘anhumaa), grown men, brave beyond anything today, courageous, strong, fighting men–weep in their salah. That is something to think about.
- Reflect on Al-Qaari’ah. What is it about this day that really hits you in the heart and makes you think/weep? Comment and share it insha’Allah.
References:
- Touched by an Angel: Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma. By Muhammad Alshareef. 2009.