Al-Infitar (ٱلْإِنْفِطَار)

Surah Al-Infitar (الْإِنفِطَار) is the 82^nd surah of the Quran. The name of the Surah is taken from the last word of its first verse, ٱنفَطَرَتْ, which means “to Split Open”. It also translates to “Cleaving apart” or “Bursting apart.” The name Infitar is derived from the word “unfatarat" and refers to the event of splitting apart of the sky on the Day of Resurrection. This Surah describes the scenario of the start of the end of this world on the Day of Judgement.

The subject of Surah Al-Infitar is quite similar to the previous Surah At-Takwir. In a broader sense, it resembles most of the earlier Makki Surahs, where the reality and inevitability of the Life Hereafter, Resurrection, Day of Final Judgement, and accountability are emphasized. 

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

The subject matter of this Surah suggests that it was revealed at a time when the people of Mecca were strongly opposing the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. They were denying the concept of the Life Hereafter and resurrection on the Day of Judgement. So, the audience of this surah is the disbelievers of that earlier phase of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, no authentic reference or tradition specifically describes the precise occasion or any specific event associated with the revelation of this Surah.

Like other similar Surahs, such as Surah At-Takwir, Surah Al-Inshiqaq and many others, the main purpose of this Surah is to warn the disbelievers against the happenings on the Day of Judgement and to remind them the Life Hereafter, when they would have to face the accountability of their deeds, committed in this world. Disbelievers are also reminded that their account of deeds is being recorded by the Angels, who are assigned this task by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. So, the fate of the righteous and the wrongdoers cannot be the same.  

Makki or Madni Surah

The theme and the subject matter of Surah Al-Infitar clearly show that this is a Makki Surah. It was revealed during the earlier days of Meccan life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The subjects of Life Hereafter and accountability on the Day of Judgement, being emphasized in this Surah, point to the earlier phase of spreading the Divine Message by the Prophet, as the Meccans were generally in denial about these realities. Hence, Surah Al-Infitar is titled as a Makki Surah.

Place in the Quran

It is the 82^nd Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (para) 30. It can be found before Surah Al-Mutaffifin (83^rd Surah) and after Surah At-Takwir (81^st Surah). Per the order of revelation, it is the 82^nd Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it also falls at number 82. Within the Juzz 30, it comes at number 5.  

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Infitar has 19 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Infitar contains 1 Ruku (section).

Significance of Surah Al-Infitar

Surah Al-Infitar is a powerful warning for the disbelievers, reminding them of the consequences that everyone will face on the Day of Judgment. It teaches us some of the basic lessons about life in this world and the accountability on the Day of Resurrection.

It reminds us of the inevitability of the Day of Judgement. The sequence of events that would mark the physical end of this world is described, including the splitting of the sky, the falling of stars, the overflowing of seas, and the overturning of graves. It also reminds us that the Guardian Angels are recording each of our actions and deeds in this world. The fate of humans will be decided based on this record. It would separate the righteous from the wicked.

It is also a powerful reminder for us about the inevitability of the Day of Final Judgement. It warns us about the deceptive nature of this world. The comfort and the beauty of this world are temporary.

The lessons learnt from this Surah can be summarized as:

1. Awareness of life after death.
2. Encouragement to avoid evil and commit good deeds in this world.
3. Repent and seek mercy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ by totally submitting before Him.

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Infitar

Surah Al-Infitar mentions the Day of Judgement and describes the events that would happen on this day, starting with the destruction of the entire universe. These events are mentioned in the first five verses of this Surah, when the sky will split apart, stars will fall and scatter, the sea will overflow, and the graves will be turned around. This shows the complete collapse of the universe. It serves as a warning to humankind.

Going further, in the next five verses of this Surah, humans are made to realize that they will be resurrected and will have to face the accountability. Their fate will be decided on the basis of what they have done in this world. Everyone will get punishment or rewards based on their deeds. Further, in the next three verses, it is mentioned that the Guardian Angels are recording all the deeds of humans, so no one will be able to deny that record. The concept of rewards and punishment is described in detail in verses 13 and 14. The righteous will get eternal delight in Paradise, whereas the wicked will be destined for Hellfire, where they will remain forever.

Finally, the Surah specifically mentions that no one will be able to avoid the final Divine Justice. The arrogance of humans will not help them on that day. Mankind is made to realize that all Powers belong to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. No one would be able to help anyone. Only the Divine Justice would prevail on the Day of Judgement.

So, the theme and subject matter of this surah are mainly to warn and remind humans of the inevitability of the Day of Resurrection and the reality of accountability on that day.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Infitar

All Surahs and verses of the Quran are equally virtuous and highly beneficial. However, some of them hold specific benefits for their reciters. Surah Al-Infitar is one of those surahs that carry some special virtues and benefits. Hadith 3333 of Jami At-Tirmidhi describes a very special virtue of this surah.

Translation - Whoever wishes to look at the Day of Resurrection, as if he is seeing it with this eye, then let him recite: 'When the sun Kuwwirat' and 'When the heaven is cleft sunder (Infatarat) and 'When the heaven is split asunder.'

Here, “Infatarat" refers to this Surah; hence, the immediate benefit of recitation of this Surah is that the reciter gets a clear insight into the Day of Resurrection.

Other major virtues and benefits of this surah can be summarized as under:

• It is a powerful source of strengthening one’s faith on the Day of Resurrection.
• It helps us remain conscious of the certainty of life after death, hence facilitating detachment from the attractions of worldly life.
• The sixth verse of this Surah warns its reciters against heedlessness. It serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of our prime responsibility to completely submit to and worship only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• Regular recitation of this Surah consistently reminds us that whatever we are doing is being recorded by the Guardian Angels (Kiraman Katibeen), hence inflicting a sense of self-accountability so that we can face the real accountability on the Day of Judgement.
• Recitation of any of the Surahs and verses of the Quran is believed to be a source of intercession on the Day of Resurrection. The same applies to the recitation of Surah Al-Infitar.
• Recitation of Surah Al-Infitar is a rich source of spiritual and emotional healing by strengthening one's faith in the Divine Mercy and Justice on the Day of Judgement.
• Its impact on our worldly life includes a reduction in arrogance, encouragement to avoid evil and commit good deeds, and the practice of patience during hard times.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Infitar by Renowned Qaris

Reading the Quran correctly is extremely important. Even a slight deviation from the actual pronunciation of a word will entirely change its meaning. While reciting the Quran, it becomes crucial to read it exactly as it was revealed, for these are the words of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Any wrong pronunciation may lead to an entirely different meaning, which would not be a correct practice.

It becomes even more difficult for non-Arabic speakers to correctly pronounce the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is essential. Listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari might help us read it correctly, with Tajweed. On the other hand, sometimes, one may like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading. At MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by various renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the Mobile Application of MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Infitar.

The mobile application of MuslimandQuran is available for both Android and iOS, available on Google Play and App Store, respectively. You can download the application by clicking the links given here:

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Surah Al-Infitar PDF

Although it is easy to read the Quran directly on the MuslimandQuran website or mobile application, sometimes you may prefer to read it offline. At MuslimandQuran, we provide this facility as well. You can download Surah Al-Infitar in PDF for reading later.

Surah Al-Infitar can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:

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