Surah Name: Al-Qiyama (سورة القيامة)
Translation: The Resurrection
Origin of name: The Surah is named after the word "Al-Qiyama" (The Resurrection), which is mentioned in the first verse and refers to the Day of Resurrection when all people will rise again for judgement.
Surah Number: 75
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 40
Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: During the Makkan period, after the revelation of Surah Al-Qariah.
Historical Context
Surah Al-Qiyama was revealed in Makkah during a time when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was actively calling people to the core beliefs of Islam, including belief in the afterlife. However, this message was met with strong resistance from the Quraysh elite, who denied life after death and mocked the concept of resurrection.
One famous incident recorded in Islamic tradition mentions a man named ‘Adi ibn Rabi’a from among the Quraysh. He approached the Prophet and asked about the resurrection. After hearing the explanation, he responded with deep skepticism, claiming that even if he saw it with his own eyes, he would not believe that decayed bones could come back to life [1].
This reflects a broader trend in Makkan society at the time, where many people denied the afterlife and judgment, focusing only on worldly power and status.
Additionally, in this period, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was receiving revelations through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) and felt great responsibility to accurately remember and convey the exact words. He would sometimes try to repeat the words quickly for fear of forgetting. Surah Al-Qiyama addresses this concern, reassuring the Prophet that the preservation and correct recitation of the revelation was under divine care and guidance [2][3][4][5].
This Surah, therefore, not only reinforced the central Islamic belief in resurrection during a time of denial and doubt but also provided psychological and spiritual support to the Prophet in his mission.
References:
[1] Al-Wahidi, Asbab an-Nuzul, p. 448
[2] Al-Bukhari, “Tafsir al-Qur'an”, 75
[3] Muslim, “Salat”, 148
[4] Al-Tirmidhi, “Tafsir al-Qur'an”, 72
[5] Al-Tabari, Tafsir, vol. 29, pp. 116–119
Main Themes of Surah Al-Qiyama
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Belief in the Day of Resurrection:
The Surah begins by confirming the certainty of the Day of Judgment. It responds to those who deny resurrection by showing that Allah is fully capable of bringing even the fingertips back together after death. This detail shows the divinity of the Quran, since the fingertips are different for every person. -
The Self-Blaming Soul (Nafs al-Lawwama):
Allah swears by the self-blaming soul, highlighting the human conscience that feels regret over sins. This points to the inner struggle and the spiritual awareness that nudges people toward repentance and righteousness. -
Reassurance about Revelation:
A unique section of the Surah addresses Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) concern about forgetting the revelation. Allah assures him that the Qur’an’s recitation, preservation, and explanation are guaranteed by divine protection. The Prophet is instructed to listen carefully and not to rush. -
Scenes from the Hereafter:
The Surah paints vivid images of the Day of Judgment. The believers will have bright faces, looking toward their Lord with hope. Disbelievers, on the other hand, will have gloomy faces, realizing the punishment that awaits them. -
Warning Against Worldly Neglect:
Human beings are criticized for being too focused on worldly life while neglecting the afterlife. The Surah reminds people that life is not aimless, and every soul is accountable for its actions. -
Allah’s Power in Creation:
By describing stages of human creation—from a drop of fluid to a fully formed being—the Surah confirms that the same Creator who shaped humans the first time can bring them back to life after death. Allah’s power is constant and complete. -
Rejection of Truth and Its Consequences:
Those who lie against the message, ignore prayer, and walk with arrogance are warned of the consequences. Their denial of the Prophet and the truth will lead to their downfall on the Day of Judgment.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Qiyama
- The Day of Resurrection is real and will surely come by Allah’s power.
- Allah can recreate even the smallest details of the human body, including fingertips.
- People will feel deep regret on the Day of Judgment for their wrong choices.
- Believers will have bright faces and joy when seeing their Lord in the hereafter.
- Disbelievers will face fear and sorrow as punishment becomes clear to them.
- Human life is not without purpose—every action will be judged.
- Arrogance, neglecting prayer, and denying truth lead to loss in the afterlife.
- Allah, who created humans in stages, can recreate them after death for accountability.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Qiyama
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Verse 1-2:
"I do swear by the Day of Judgment! And I do swear by the self-reproaching soul!"
These verses emphasize the certainty of the Resurrection and the reality of human conscience. -
Verse 3-4:
"Does man think We will not reassemble his bones? Yes ˹indeed˺! We are able to put together ˹even˺ his finger tips."
A powerful response to those who doubt resurrection, highlighting Allah's power down to the finest detail. -
Verse 16-18:
"Do not rush your tongue trying to memorize ˹a revelation of˺ the Quran. It is certainly upon Us to ˹make you˺ memorize and recite it."
These verses comfort the Prophet Muhammad, assuring him that Allah will preserve the revelation in his memory. -
Verse 22-23:
"On that Day ˹some˺ faces will be bright, looking at their Lord. And ˹other˺ faces will be gloomy, anticipating something devastating to befall them."
A contrast between the believers and the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment. -
Verse 36:
"Does man think he will be left without purpose?"
A reminder that human life is not without accountability or meaning. -
Verse 38-40:
"Were they not ˹once˺ a sperm-drop emitted? Then they became a clinging clot, then He developed and perfected their form, producing from it both sexes, male and female. Is such ˹a Creator˺ unable to bring the dead back to life?"
These verses reflect on human creation as evidence that Allah can certainly resurrect the dead.
