INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 40 verses, 199 sentences, 692 letters and 2 Rukus
The Surah has been so named after the word al-Qiyamah in the first verse. This is not only the name but also the title of this Surah, for it is devoted to Resurrection itself.
Although there is no tradition to indicate its period of revelation, yet there is in the subject matter of this Surah an internal evidence, which shows that it is one of the earliest Surahs to be sent down at Makkah. After verse 15 the discourse is suddenly interrupted and the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) told: "Do not move your tongue to remember this Revelation hastily. It is Our responsibility to have it remembered and read. Therefore, when We are reciting it, listen to its recital carefully. Again, it is Our responsibility to explain its meaning." Then, from verse 20 onward the same theme which was interrupted at verse 15, is resumed. This parenthetical passage, according to both the context and the traditions, has been interpqsed here for the reason that when the Angel Gabriel was reciting this Surah to the Holy Prophet, the Holy Prophet, lest he should forget its words later, was repeating them at the same moment. This in fact happened at the time when the coming down and receipt of Revelation was yet a new experience for him and he was not yet fully used to receiving it calmly. There are two other instances also of this in the Quran. First, in Surah Ta Ha the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has been told: "And see that you do not hasten to recite the Quran belore its revelation is completed to you." (v. 114). Then, in Surah Al-A'la, it has been said: "We shall enable you to recite:, then you shall never forget." (v. 6). Later, when the Holy Prophet became fully used to receiving the Revelation well, there remained no need to give him any such instruction. That is why except for these three, there is no other instance of this in the Quran.
Most of the Surahs, from here till the end of the Quran, in view of their content and style, seem to have been sent down in the period when after the first seven verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir, revelation of the Quran began like a shower of rain: Thus, in the succesively revealed Surahs Islam and its fundamental concepts and moral teachings were presented so forcefully and effectively in pithy, brief sentences and the people of Makkah warned so vehemently on their errors and deviations that the Quraish chiefs were utterly confounded. Therefore, before the next Hajj season came they held the conference for devising schemes to defeat the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) as has been mentioned in the Introduction to the Surah Al-Muddaththir above.
In this Surah, addressing the deniers of the Hereafter, replies have been given to each of their doubts and objections, strong arguments have been given to prove the possibility, occurrence and necessity of the Resurrection and Hereafter, and also it has been pointed out clearly that the actual reason of the people's denying the Hereafter is not that they regard it as impossible rationally but because their selfish motives do not allow thein to affirm it. At the same time, the people have been warned, as if to say: "The event, the occurrence of which you deny, will inevitably come: all your deeds will be brought and placed before you. As a matter of fact, even before any of you sees his record, he will be knowing fully well what he has done in the world, for no man is unaware of himself, no matter what excuses and pretences he may offer to deceive the world and deceive himself in respect of his misdeeds."
Maududi
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Section 1.
75 : 1
1. La oqsimu biyawmi alqiyamati
Nay, I swear by the Day of Resurrection !
75 : 2
2. Wala oqsimu bialnnafsi allawwamati
Nay, I swear by the soul in torment!
75 : 3
3. Ayahsabu al-insanu allan najmaAAa AAithamahu
Does man think that We can never re-assemble his bones?
75 : 4
4. Bala qadireena AAala an nusawwiya bananahu
Nay, We can re-assemble the very tips of his every finger!
75 : 5
5. Bal yureedu al-insanu liyafjura amamahu
But man endeavours to refute even that which is right in front of his eyes!
75 : 6
6. Yas-alu ayyana yawmu alqiyamati
He asks : 'When will this Day of Resurrection culminate?'
75 : 7
7. Fa-itha bariqa albasaru
But when the vision is blurred, -
75 : 8
8. Wakhasafa alqamaru
And the moon is obscured, -
75 : 9
9. WajumiAAa alshshamsu waalqamaru
And the sun and the moon mingle into one another;
75 : 10
10. Yaqoolu al-insanu yawma-ithin ayna almafarru
On that Day, man will say : 'Where shall I run!'
75 : 11
11. Kalla la wazara
By no means! There is no sanctuary for him!
75 : 12
12. Ila rabbika yawma-ithin almustaqarru
Your Lord is your only recourse that Day!
75 : 13
13. Yunabbao al-insanu yawma-ithin bima qaddama waakhkhara
On that Day, every man will be told of what he has brought with him and what he has left behind.
75 : 14
14. Bali al-insanu AAala nafsihi baseeratun
In fact, man will become a forthright witness against his own self!
75 : 15
15. Walaw alqa maAAatheerahu
Despite all the excuses which he offers.
* * *
Context of Revelation : During the initial stages of Revelations, the Prophet used to be so eager to learn the text that he often tended to rush the revealing angel by speeding up his own recitation. The following verses were intended to reassure him that there was no need for rush and that, when a verse is being delivered, he should concentrate on listening rather than on memorizing.
75 : 16
16. La tuharrik bihi lisanaka litaAAjala bihi
Move not your tongue in order to hasten (the revelation) -
75 : 17
17. Inna AAalayna jamAAahu waqur-anahu
For verily with Us lies the responsibility of its arrangement and its revealing!
75 : 18
18. Fa-itha qara/nahu faittabiAA qur-anahu
And when We read it, you merely follow the reading,
75 : 19
19. Thumma inna AAalayna bayanahu
Then verily with Us lies the responsibility of its elucidation!
* * *
75 : 20
20. Kalla bal tuhibboona alAAajilata
Nay, but you cherish the transient -
75 : 21
21. Watatharoona al-akhirata
And forsake the Hereafter!
75 : 22
22. Wujoohun yawma-ithin nadiratun
On that Day, some faces will be radiant -
75 : 23
23. Ila rabbiha nathiratun
Looking towards their Lord!
75 : 24
24. Wawujoohun yawma-ithin basiratun
And on that Day, some faces will be distorted -
75 : 25
25. Tathunnu an yufAAala biha faqiratun
In the certain knowledge that a grievous toll is about to land upon them!
75 : 26
26. Kalla itha balaghati alttaraqiya
The truth is, when the soul flutters in the throat, -
75 : 27
27. Waqeela man raqin
Men say : 'Is there a magician around?' -
75 : 28
28. Wathanna annahu alfiraqu
And he knows that it is the moment of parting!
75 : 29
29. Wailtaffati alssaqu bialssaqi
And torment is heaped upon torment!
75 : 30
30. Ila rabbika yawma-ithin almasaqu
On that Day, the journeying will be towards your Lord alone! (R)
Section 2.
75 : 31
31. Fala saddaqa wala salla
For him who neither gave in charity nor submitted to worship -
75 : 32
32. Walakin kaththaba watawalla
But prevaricated and proscribed -
75 : 33
33. Thumma thahaba ila ahlihi yatamatta
And then returned to his folk gloating!
75 : 34
34. Awla laka faawla
Woe to you (O man) and yes, woe to you!
75 : 35
35. Thumma awla laka faawla
Again woe to you (O man) and yes woe to you!
75 : 36
36. Ayahsabu al-insanu an yutraka sudan
Is man under the misconception that he will be allowed to get away?
75 : 37
37. Alam yaku nutfatan min manayyin yumna
Was he not a drop of semen which was ejaculated -
75 : 38
38. Thumma kana AAalaqatan fakhalaqa fasawwa
And then a clot of blood before (Allah) gave him his shape and his features -
75 : 39
39. FajaAAala minhu alzzawjayni alththakara waal-ontha
And made him one of a pair - male and female?
75 : 40
40. Alaysa thalika biqadirin AAala an yuhyiya almawta
Is not He (who is capable of doing all this) also capable of raising the dead? (R)
1. I swear by the Day of Resurrection;
2. And I swear by the self-reproaching person (a believer).
3. Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones?
4. Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.[]
5. Nay! (Man denies Resurrection and Reckoning. So) he desires to continue committing sins.
6. He asks: "When will be this Day of Resurrection?"
7. So, when the sight shall be dazed,
8. And the moon will be eclipsed,
9. And the sun and moon will be joined together (by going one into the other or folded up or deprived of their light, etc.)[]
10. On that Day man will say: "Where (is the refuge) to flee?"
11. No! There is no refuge!
12. Unto your Lord (Alone) will be the place of rest that Day.
13. On that Day man will be informed of what he sent forward (of his evil or good deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil traditions).
14. Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his body parts (skin, hands, legs, etc.) will speak about his deeds].
15. Though he may put forth his excuses (to cover his evil deeds).
16. Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur'ān, O Muhammad SAW) to make haste therewith.
17. It is for Us to collect it and to give you (O Muhammad SAW) the ability to recite it (the Qur'ān),
18. And when We have recited it to you [O Muhammad SAW through Jibrael (Gabriel)], then follow you its (the Qur'ān's) recital.
19. Then it is for Us (Allāh) to make it clear to you,
20. Not [as you think, that you (mankind) will not be resurrected and recompensed for your deeds], but (you men) love the present life of this world,
21. And leave (neglect) the Hereafter.
22. Some faces that Day shall be Nādirah (shining and radiant).
23. Looking at their Lord (Allāh);
24. And some faces, that Day, will be Bāsirah (dark, gloomy, frowning, and sad),
25. Thinking that some calamity was about to fall on them;
26. Nay, when (the soul) reaches to the collar bone (i.e. up to the throat in its exit),
27. And it will be said: "Who can cure him and save him from death?"
28. And he (the dying person) will conclude that it was (the time) of departing (death);
29. And leg will be joined with another leg (shrouded)[]
30. The drive will be, on that Day, to your Lord (Allāh)!
31. So he (the disbeliever) neither believed (in this Qur'ān, in the Message of Muhammad SAW) nor prayed!
32. But on the contrary, he belied (this Qur'ān and the Message of Muhammad SAW) and turned away!
33. Then he walked in full pride to his family admiring himself!
34. Woe to you [O man (disbeliever)]! And then (again) woe to you!
35. Again, woe to you [O man (disbeliever)]! And then (again) woe to you!
36. Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allāh) on him]?
37. Was he not a Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge of semen) poured forth?
38. Then he became an 'Alaqa (a clot); then (Allāh) shaped and fashioned (him) in due proportion.[]
39. And made him in two sexes, male and female.
40. Is not He (Allāh Who does that), Able to give life to the dead? (Yes! He is Able to do all things).
075.001
YUSUFALI: I do call to
witness the Resurrection Day;
PICKTHAL: Nay, I swear
by the Day of Resurrection;
SHAKIR: Nay! I swear
by the day of resurrection.
075.002
YUSUFALI: And I do
call to witness the self-reproaching spirit: (Eschew Evil).
PICKTHAL: Nay, I swear
by the accusing soul (that this Scripture is true).
SHAKIR: Nay! I swear
by the self-accusing soul.
075.003
YUSUFALI: Does man
think that We cannot assemble his bones?
PICKTHAL: Thinketh man
that We shall not assemble his bones?
SHAKIR: Does man think
that We shall not gather his bones?
075.004
YUSUFALI: Nay, We are
able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers.
PICKTHAL: Yea, verily.
We are Able to restore his very fingers!
SHAKIR: Yea! We are
able to make complete his very fingertips
075.005
YUSUFALI: But man
wishes to do wrong (even) in the time in front of him.
PICKTHAL: But man
would fain deny what is before him.
SHAKIR: Nay! man
desires to give the lie to what is before him.
075.006
YUSUFALI: He
questions: "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
PICKTHAL: He asketh:
When will be this Day of Resurrection?
SHAKIR: He asks: When
is the day of resurrection?
075.007
YUSUFALI: At length,
when the sight is dazed,
PICKTHAL: But when
sight is confounded
SHAKIR: So when the
sight becomes dazed,
075.008
YUSUFALI: And the moon
is buried in darkness.
PICKTHAL: And the moon
is eclipsed
SHAKIR: And the moon
becomes dark,
075.009
YUSUFALI: And the sun
and moon are joined together,-
PICKTHAL: And sun and
moon are united,
SHAKIR: And the sun
and the moon are brought together,
075.010
YUSUFALI: That Day
will Man say: "Where is the refuge?"
PICKTHAL: On that day
man will cry: Whither to flee!
SHAKIR: Man shall say
on that day: Whither to fly to?
075.011
YUSUFALI: By no means!
No place of safety!
PICKTHAL: Alas! No
refuge!
SHAKIR: By no means!
there shall be no place of refuge!
075.012
YUSUFALI: Before thy
Lord (alone), that Day will be the place of rest.
PICKTHAL: Unto thy
Lord is the recourse that day.
SHAKIR: With your Lord
alone shall on that day be the place of rest.
075.013
YUSUFALI: That Day
will Man be told (all) that he put forward, and all that he put back.
PICKTHAL: On that day
man is told the tale of that which he hath sent before and left behind.
SHAKIR: Man shall on
that day be informed of what he sent before and (what he) put off.
075.014
YUSUFALI: Nay, man
will be evidence against himself,
PICKTHAL: Oh, but man
is a telling witness against himself,
SHAKIR: Nay! man is
evidence against himself,
075.015
YUSUFALI: Even though
he were to put up his excuses.
PICKTHAL: Although he
tender his excuses.
SHAKIR: Though he puts
forth his excuses.
075.016
YUSUFALI: Move not thy
tongue concerning the (Qur'an) to make haste therewith.
PICKTHAL: Stir not thy
tongue herewith to hasten it.
SHAKIR: Do not move
your tongue with it to make haste with it,
075.017
YUSUFALI: It is for Us
to collect it and to promulgate it:
PICKTHAL: Lo! upon Us
(resteth) the putting together thereof and the reading thereof.
SHAKIR: Surely on Us
(devolves) the collecting of it and the reciting of it.
075.018
YUSUFALI: But when We
have promulgated it, follow thou its recital (as promulgated):
PICKTHAL: And when We
read it, follow thou the reading;
SHAKIR: Therefore when
We have recited it, follow its recitation.
075.019
YUSUFALI: Nay more, it
is for Us to explain it (and make it clear):
PICKTHAL: Then lo!
upon Us (resteth) the explanation thereof.
SHAKIR: Again on Us
(devolves) the explaining of it.
075.020
YUSUFALI: Nay, (ye
men!) but ye love the fleeting life,
PICKTHAL: Nay, but ye
do love the fleeting Now
SHAKIR: Nay! But you
love the present life,
075.021
YUSUFALI: And leave
alone the Hereafter.
PICKTHAL: And neglect
the Hereafter.
SHAKIR: And neglect
the hereafter.
075.022
YUSUFALI: Some faces,
that Day, will beam (in brightness and beauty);-
PICKTHAL: That day
will faces be resplendent,
SHAKIR: (Some) faces
on that day shall be bright,
075.023
YUSUFALI: Looking
towards their Lord;
PICKTHAL: Looking
toward their Lord;
SHAKIR: Looking to
their Lord.
075.024
YUSUFALI: And some
faces, that Day, will be sad and dismal,
PICKTHAL: And that day
will other faces be despondent,
SHAKIR: And (other)
faces on that day shall be gloomy,
075.025
YUSUFALI: In the
thought that some back-breaking calamity was about to be inflicted on them;
PICKTHAL: Thou wilt
know that some great disaster is about to fall on them.
SHAKIR: Knowing that
there will be made to befall them some great calamity.
075.026
YUSUFALI: Yea, when
(the soul) reaches to the collar-bone (in its exit),
PICKTHAL: Nay, but
when the life cometh up to the throat
SHAKIR: Nay! When it
comes up to the throat,
075.027
YUSUFALI: And there
will be a cry, "Who is a magician (to restore him)?"
PICKTHAL: And men say:
Where is the wizard (who can save him now)?
SHAKIR: And it is
said: Who will be a magician?
075.028
YUSUFALI: And he will
conclude that it was (the Time) of Parting;
PICKTHAL: And he
knoweth that it is the parting;
SHAKIR: And he is sure
that it is the (hour of) parting
075.029
YUSUFALI: And one leg
will be joined with another:
PICKTHAL: And agony is
heaped on agony;
SHAKIR: And affliction
is combined with affliction;
075.030
YUSUFALI: That Day the
Drive will be (all) to thy Lord!
PICKTHAL: Unto thy
Lord that day will be the driving.
SHAKIR: To your Lord
on that day shall be the driving.
075.031
YUSUFALI: So he gave
nothing in charity, nor did he pray!-
PICKTHAL: For he
neither trusted, nor prayed.
SHAKIR: So he did not
accept the truth, nor did he pray,
075.032
YUSUFALI: But on the
contrary, he rejected Truth and turned away!
PICKTHAL: But he
denied and flouted.
SHAKIR: But called the
truth a lie and turned back,
075.033
YUSUFALI: Then did he
stalk to his family in full conceit!
PICKTHAL: Then went he
to his folk with glee.
SHAKIR: Then he went
to his followers, walking away in haughtiness.
075.034
YUSUFALI: Woe to thee,
(O men!), yea, woe!
PICKTHAL: Nearer unto
thee and nearer,
SHAKIR: Nearer to you
(is destruction) and nearer,
075.035
YUSUFALI: Again, Woe
to thee, (O men!), yea, woe!
PICKTHAL: Again nearer
unto thee and nearer (is the doom).
SHAKIR: Again
(consider how) nearer to you and nearer.
075.036
YUSUFALI: Does man
think that he will be left uncontrolled, (without purpose)?
PICKTHAL: Thinketh man
that he is to be left aimless?
SHAKIR: Does man think
that he is to be left to wander without an aim?
075.037
YUSUFALI: Was he not a
drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)?
PICKTHAL: Was he not a
drop of fluid which gushed forth?
SHAKIR: Was he not a
small seed in the seminal elements,
075.038
YUSUFALI: Then did he
become a leech-like clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due
proportion.
PICKTHAL: Then he
became a clot; then (Allah) shaped and fashioned
SHAKIR: Then he was a
clot of blood, so He created (him) then made (him) perfect.
075.039
YUSUFALI: And of him
He made two sexes, male and female.
PICKTHAL: And made of
him a pair, the male and female.
SHAKIR: Then He made
of him two kinds, the male and the female.
075.040
YUSUFALI: Has not He,
(the same), the power to give life to the dead?
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(Who doeth so) Able to bring the dead to life?
SHAKIR: Is not He able
to give life to the dead?