When the Sky Splits Apart
Summary (English)
Surah Al-Infitar presents a vivid depiction of the Day of Judgment, comprising:
Verses 1–5: Apocalyptic signs — the sky splitting, stars scattering, seas bursting, and graves overturning, followed by souls becoming aware of their deeds. (Medium, Wikipedia)
Verses 6–9: A rebuke to ungrateful humanity: “O mankind! What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous…?”, explaining that denial of the Day of Reckoning is the root of wrongdoing. (Verse By Verse Qur'an Study Circle, Wikipedia)
Verses 10–12: Reminder that noble angels record every action. (Wikipedia)
Verses 13–16: The final destinies — the righteous in bliss, the wicked in Hell, with no escape. (Wikipedia)
Verses 17–19: Reinforced warning on the severity of the day: no intercession, no help — “The command that Day is entirely Allah’s.” (Wikipedia, Surah Quran)
2. Shan-e-Nuzool (Circumstances of Revelation)
Surah Al-Infitar is a Meccan surah, revealed in Makkah before Hijrah. It shares thematic similarity with Surahs Al-Takwir and Al-Inshiqaq, all describing end-time events vividly. (Amrayn, Wikipedia)
The verse “O mankind, what has deceived you…?” was addressed to those who denied resurrection and accountability, according to Qurtubi and Ibn ‘Abbas. Multiple companions were mentioned as examples. (Wikipedia)
3. Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir Highlights
From Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
The Surah emphasizes the catastrophic upheaval of the Resurrection Day and accountability of deeds. (www.slideshare.net, Wikipedia)
On verse 19, Ibn Kathir explains no soul can help another, and only Allah holds authority: “I have no power to benefit you with Allah.” (Surah Quran)
The repetition of “What will make you know what the Day of Recompense is?” intensifies the warning. (Surah Quran)
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