Az-Zalzala (ٱلزَّلْزَلَة)

Surah Az-Zalzala is the 99th Surah in the Quran and can be found in the last Juz of the Quran. It has eight verses and was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) after he migrated to Madinah. As we can see from the name, Az-Zalzala means ‘The Shaker’ or “The Quake,” and the Surah talks about the wrongdoers and The Hour. The Surah conveys a future message of a terrible earthquake that will throw everything up on the Day of Judgement. Let’s look in-depth at the Surah and discuss its theme, subject matter, virtues, and benefits.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Az-Zalzalah

Surah Az-Zalzala's main theme is the Day of Judgment and humankind's accountability for their actions. The Surah starts by describing the horrific event of an intense earthquake that will reveal everything, no matter where it is hidden. This earthquake marks the end of the world and brings the Day of Judgement that Allah has always mentioned in the Quran, the day many people on earth do not believe will occur. 

The Surah reminds us of the reality of the Day of Judgment and our roles as human beings and Muslims in this world. It highlights that all humans will be accountable for their deeds, and even the smallest of actions will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. 

The Surah highlights the consequences of human actions on the Day of Judgement. Allah is justice and loves justice, and every man and woman will be rewarded or punished for their deeds based on divine justice. Even the slightest good and even the smallest bad deeds will be counted, and everyone will get rewards or punishments based on what they have done in this world.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Az-Zalzalah

Surah Az-Zalzala is a powerful reminder of the ultimate reality that Allah has promised. It reminds us of our death, the temporary luxuries of this world, the Day of Judgement, and eternal hereafter life. Allah reminds us that this world is temporary and it will end horrifically and no one can hide themselves from this day. 

Everyone is accountable for their deeds and lives in the gardens of Paradise or in the fire of Hell according to what they have done on this Earth. So, Surah Az-Zalzala reminds us that this earth is a temporary place, and all the luxuries we fight for in this Duniya will remain here, and only our deeds will be transferred to the next world.

Upon our good or bad deeds, we will be rewarded Jannah or Jahanum and will spend the rest of the eternal life there. So keep asking for forgiveness and repent before it’s too late and before all our deeds come right in front of our eyes because that time, we will not be able to change it.

It will happen when we talk about major earthquakes, even during the time of Dajjal. Narrated by Anas bin Malik (R.A):

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Mecca and Medina, and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Mecca and Medina) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and them Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earthquakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the non-believers and the hypocrites from it.” (Sahih Bukhari 1881, Book 29, Hadith 15)

In another Hadith mentioning the Hour, Rasool (ﷺ) mentioned some signs of the Hour, including frequent earthquakes. As narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A):

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Hour will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men), earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you.” (Sahih Bukhari 1036, Book 15, Hadith 31)

We can see most of the signs in today’s world, so it’s the right time to tighten our belts and prepare ourselves for the Day of Judgement. We must serve mankind in the best possible way and perform all the obligatory commandments from Allah to be recognized as the best person of the Ummah of Rasool (ﷺ) and get the reward of living our eternal life in Paradise.