Sūrat al-Qiyāmah

Sūrat al-Qiyāmah, No. 75. Revealed in Makkah, 40 verses.

Merits of reciting the Sūrah

Whoever recites Sūrat al-Qiyāmah, Jibra’īl and I will bear witness for him on the Day of Judgment that he was a believer in the Day of Judgment, and he will come with a face more radiant than others on that day. The Holy Prophet a

Note: Quranic Scholars say that the reward is connected to the contents of the Sūrah and requires that recitation be done with awareness, comprehension, reflection and having an intention of implementation.

General synopsis of contents

Except for a few verses the Sūrah discusses the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter.

Four different subtopics are discussed:

1) The terrifying signs before the last day (vv. 7-10)

2) State of people on the Day of Judgment (vv. 22-25)

3) Death and the transition to the Hereafter (vv. 26-30)

4) Aim of creation and the different stages of human life (vv. 36-40)

Selected Lessons

1) There is an inner conscience (nafs al-lawwāmah) within us that judges us while in this world.

2) Allah has the power to give life after death just as He gave life in the first place.

3) The coming of the Day of Judgment will strike terror in the hearts of people.

4) The human being is well aware but makes excuses for himself.

5) Remembrance of the Hereafter keeps a person focused and gives meaning to life.

Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.

1) 75:13-14 – Indeed, man is a witness to himself though he offers excuses.

2) 75:20-21 – Nay! But you love the present life and ignore the hereafter.

Activities for self-study

This Sūrah talks a lot about the human being and the Day of Judgment. What does it say about human attitude in the following situations:

a) while in the world

b) at the time of death

c) at the approach of the Day of Judgment

d) on the Day of Judgment