Sūrah No. 69, Revealed in Makkah. 52 verses.
The Sūrah takes its name from the name Hāqqah – The undeniable Reality – mentioned in the first three verses of the Sūrah. The name is an emphatic form of Haqq, meaning truth or reality.
Sūrat al-Hāqqah
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
Recite Sūrat al-Hāqqah often, for reciting it in the obligatory and recommended prayers is from the signs of faith in Allah and His Messenger. Whoever recites it, his faith in religion will remain safe till he meets Allah – Imam Muhammad al-Bāqir (a) (Tafsīr Majma‘ al-Bayān)
General synopsis of contents
1) The most important theme of this Sūrah is various aspects of the Day of Judgment. Hence three names of the Day of Judgment: al-Hāqqah, al-Qāri‘ah, and al-Wāqi’ah occur in the Sūrah.
2) Stories of past peoples, focusing on the people of Ād, Thamūd, and Fi‘awn.
3) Status of Quran and the Holy Prophet a.
Selected Lessons
1) Human beings can be arrogant and reject faith, but they forget the transiency of life. When they die no traces of them remain (v. 8)
2) Lessons from history are reminders for those who have receptive ears (v. 12)
3) There will be intense regret on the Day of Judgment (vv. 25-29)
4) The Quran is a revelation from Allah Y, not poetry or magic (vv. 40-42)
Important Messages
1) The Day of Judgment will be an occurrence unlike anything the human being has ever experienced.
2) Wealth and power will be causes of regret on the Day of Judgment.
3) The disbelievers are led astray through lack of faith in God and lack of concern for the needy – both aspects of connection with God and connection with people are expected of the human being.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
1) 69:18 – That day you will be presented [before your Lord]: none of your secrets will remain hidden.
2) 69:19 – As for him who is given his book in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, take and read my book!
3) 69:52 – So celebrate the Name of your Lord, the All-supreme.
Activities for self-study
1) Verses 13-18 talk about the coming of the Day of Judgment. List the stages and happenings of that day as described in this passage.
2) Read verses 19-29 of the Sūrah. Compare the reactions of the people of the right hand and the people of the left hand.