Surah Al-Inshiqaq (الْإِنشِقَاق) is the 84th surah of the Quran. The name of the Surah is taken from the last word of its first verse, إِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ ٱنشَقَّتْ, which means “When the sky burst open”. The name Inshidqaq takes its root from the word “Inshaqqat. It refers to the sequence of events that would happen on the Day of Resurrection. It depicts the splitting apart of the heavens.
Surah Al-Inshiqaq is the continuation of the subject matter of the 83rd Surah of the Quran, namely Surah Al-Mutaffifin, where the disbelievers were warned about the consequences of their evil deeds on the Day of Resurrection. Here, in Surah Al-Inshiqaq, the scenario of the start of the End of the World is described. It describes the splitting apart of the heavens and the flattening of the earth. It also describes the reckoning of deeds by depicting the dissimilar fates of believers and disbelievers. Surah Al-Inshiqaq also highlights the certainty of accountability and the importance of reflecting on one’s deeds and actions in this world, as they will determine one's fate on the Day of Judgment.
٨٤ - ٱلْإِنْشِقَاق
84 - Al-Inshiqaq
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There is no specific background of revelation of Surah Al-Inshiqaq, in the sense that no particular occasion or incident triggered its revelation, as is the case with many Quranic surahs, which are associated with a certain historical event. However, the subject discussed in this Surah is similar to many other Meccan Surahs.
The main subject of this Surah is also based on the explanation and description of the Day of Judgement, the concept of Resurrection, and the inevitability of accountability of the entire humankind on that day, based on what they had done during their life on this earth. This also emphasizes the concept of the Life Hereafter.
The theme and the subject matter of Surah Al-Inshiqaq 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 subject and theme of this Surah show that it was revealed at that stage when persecution of the believers had not yet started. However, the disbelievers at that point in time had been denying the Message of Islam. These evidences reflect the probable period of revelation of this surah, which is the earlier days of the spread of Islam in Mecca.
It is the 84th Surah of the Quran. Surah Al-Inshiqaq is placed in Juzz (para) 30. It can be found before Surah Al-Buruj (85th Surah) and after Surah Al-Mutaffifin (83rd Surah). Per the order of revelation, it is the 83rd Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it falls at number 84. It is 7th Surah within the 30th Juzz.
Surah Al-Inshiqaq mainly deals with the sequence of events that would happen on the Day of Judgement. While mentioning these events, the Authority and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is also described in this surah. The fate of humankind is also explained in this Surah, mentioning that all of humanity will face accountability on the Day of Resurrection. They would be divided into two distinct groups: those receiving their account of deeds in their right hands and those to whom the account of deeds would be given in their left hand. The final destination of those receiving their accounts in their left hand would be hellfire, whereas those receiving it in their right hand would be sent to Paradise.
The significance of this surah is underscored by the events that will occur on the Day of Judgment, which are described in detail within it. It includes splitting the opening of the sky, final accountability of all humanity, and division of humanity into two groups: those to be sent to paradise and those destined for the hellfire. Additionally, the arrogant behavior of disbelievers is also addressed here, while believers are motivated and encouraged to remain patient and steadfast in their faith, as they will receive rewards on the Day of Judgment.
The main subject and theme of Surah Al-Inshiqaq is the concept of Final Judgement or Accountability on the Day of Resurrection and the life Hereafter. The Surah begins with a detailed description of the events that will occur on the Day of Judgment. The first five verses of this Surah narrate that the sky (heavens) will split apart and the earth will be flattened. Everything on Earth will come out. It is authoritatively mentioned that this all will happen with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
In the next verses, it is explicitly stated that all of humanity is heading towards its final destination, whether they can comprehend it or not. The Day of Resurrection is inevitable, and so is the accountability of humankind. All the dead will be resurrected on the Day of Final Judgement, and they will be divided into two groups. Those with more good deeds will get their final account in their right hands and their destination will be paradise, where they will remain forever.
Those having more evil deeds will get their final account in their left hands, from behind. Hellfire will be the destiny of this group. It is further mentioned that their punishment will be so severe that they would wish to die instantly on that Day, but that will not happen, and they will be put in the hellfire. They will have to face this punishment because they denied and ignored the reality of the Day of Resurrection, when they would have to appear before God for final accountability. Going further, it is mentioned that the journey of mankind from life in this world to the life Hereafter is inevitable, as is the coming of night after sunset, and just like that of a growing crescent to a full moon.
Then it is mentioned that those who don’t bow before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, when the Quran is recited in front of them, are going to get the punishment, whereas those who believe in the Quran and Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ will get the rewards. Verse 21 of this Surah is the “Verse of Prostration”; hence, it becomes obligatory for anyone who recites or listens to this verse to perform sujood.
Surah Al-Inshiqaq holds several moral, emotional, religious and spiritual benefits, though no specific benefits are associated with its recitation. However, the subject and lessons taught in this Surah hold great significance, mostly similar to that of the previous Surah (Surah Al-Mutaffifin), as the subject matter and theme of both are identical. Hence, reciting this Surah may bring significant benefits.
Some of the major benefits and virtues of reciting this Surah are summarized here:
Reading the Quranic verses with correct pronunciation is extremely important. Even a minor mistake in the pronunciation of a word might 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.
It becomes even more challenging for a non-Arabic speaker to accurately pronounce the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is crucial. In this context, listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari can help us read the Quran with Tajweed. On the other hand, sometimes one would like to simply listen to the Quran, rather than read it oneself. To assist you, we at MuslimandQuran have uploaded recitation of the Quran by various renowned reciters (Qaris).
You can find and select a particular Qari to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to the Qaris of your preference. The MuslimandQuran mobile application is available for both Android and iOS, accessible on Google Play and the App Store, respectively. You can download the application by clicking the links given here:
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 also provide this facility. You can download Surah Al-Inshiqaq in PDF format for future reading.
Surah Al-Inshiqaq can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:
Al-Inshiqaq translates to “Splitting Open”. It is mentioned in this Surah with reference to the splitting open of the sky on the Day of Judgement.
There are 25 verses in Surah Al-Inshiqaq.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation.
No authentic Hadith directly relates to this particular surah. However, the concepts of Life Hereafter, Day of Resurrection and Accountability on the Day of Judgement can be found in several Hadiths.
Yes, it carries huge rewards, just like any other verse or surah of the Quran. However, there is no authentic reference to any specific rewards for reciting this particular Surah.