Surah Al-Inshiqaq [84] | Overview, Themes, Lessons & More

Surah Name: Al-Inshiqaq (سورة الانشقاق)
Translation: The Splitting (or The Rupture)
Origin of name: The surah takes its name from the word “Inshiqaq” which appears in the first verse, meaning “to split apart” or “to rupture,” referring to the sky splitting open on the Day of Judgment.

Surah Number: 84
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 25

Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: Among the earliest revelations during the Meccan period, after Surah Al-Infitar.

Historical Context

Surah Al-Inshiqaq was revealed in the early years of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission in Makkah. This period was marked by the Prophet’s initial public calls to monotheism and the afterlife. During this time, most Meccan surahs focused on awakening moral consciousness, warning about the Day of Judgment, and highlighting personal responsibility.

The Quraysh society was heavily hierarchical and materialistic. Wealthy elites showed arrogance and neglected the poor and needy. People took pride in social status, and those who followed the Prophet’s message were ridiculed. This surah responds by emphasizing accountability before God and portraying vivid scenes of the end times.

There is also a narration about resistance to religious practice in this context. When the Prophet recited a verse from Surah Al-Alaq that called for prostration, he and those listening to him did so in worship. However, the Quraysh mocked this act by clapping and whistling. According to some sources, it was at this moment that the verse in Surah Al-Inshiqaq stating, “When the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate,” was revealed as rebuke [1].

Thus, the surah was revealed in a setting where belief in resurrection and divine judgment was highly contested, and public displays of worship were ridiculed by the disbelievers. The surah’s strong imagery and themes of transformation and judgment were aimed at shaking this resistant audience into reflection.

References:
[1] Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Tafsir al-Kabir, Vol. 31, p. 112

Main Themes of Surah Al-Inshiqaq

• Scenes of the Day of Judgment:
  The surah opens with powerful images of the end times: the sky will split open, the earth will be flattened, and everything buried will be thrown out. These events show the seriousness of the coming Day and remind people of its certainty.

• Record of Deeds and Final Outcome:
  People will receive their record of deeds. Those who get their book in their right hand will have an easy account and return joyfully to their families. But those who receive it behind their backs will face a painful punishment because of their arrogance and neglect in the worldly life.

• Warnings to the Proud and Unjust:
  The surah warns those who felt proud or carefree among their people and failed to care for others. These people used their wealth as something that made them feel superior, but in the afterlife, it will not help them.

• People Move Through Different Stages:
  Human life constantly changes—from weakness to strength to weakness again, or from one phase to another—just like the transition from this world to the hereafter. This reminds humans of their temporary nature.

• Reactions to the Quran:
  The surah criticizes those who, when the Quran is recited, refuse to prostrate or accept its message. These people will face painful punishment. In contrast, those who believe and act will receive a never-ending reward from Allah.

• Prostration and Humility:
  A key lesson is the importance of showing humility before Allah, especially when the Quran is heard. Refusing to do so was a sign of arrogance warned against in the surah.

Key Lessons from Surah Al-Inshiqaq

• The Day of Judgment will bring major cosmic changes.
• Those who receive their record in their right hand will have an easy judgment and joy.
• Those who receive their record behind their back will face severe punishment for arrogance and neglect.
• Wealth and status in the world do not save a person if they were proud and ungrateful.

Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Inshiqaq

• Verse 1-5:
  "When the sky bursts open, obeying its Lord as it must, and when the earth is flattened out, and ejects ˹all˺ its contents and becomes empty, obeying its Lord as it must, ˹surely you will all be judged˺."
  These verses vividly describe the dramatic events of the Day of Judgment.

• Verse 6:
  "O humanity! Indeed, you are labouring restlessly towards your Lord, and will ˹eventually˺ meet the consequences."
  A powerful reminder that every soul is on a journey back to Allah.

• Verse 7-9:
  "As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully."
  These verses describe the reward of the righteous on the Day of Judgment.

• Verse 10-12:
  "And as for those who are given their record ˹in their left hand˺ from behind their backs, they will cry for ˹instant˺ destruction, and will burn in the blazing Fire."
  A warning for those who lived arrogantly and without care for accountability.

• Verse 20-21:
  "So what is the matter with them that they do not believe, and when the Quran is recited to them, they do not bow down ˹in submission˺?"

• Verse 24-25:
  "So give them good news of a painful punishment. But those who believe and do good will have a never-ending reward."
  A warning of the consequences awaiting those who deny the Quran and refuse to submit and glad tidings to the believer for their reward.