Sūrah No. 99. Revealed in Madīnah, 8 verses.
Sūrat al-Zalzalah
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
The Prophet a has said: Whoever recites it, it is as though he has recited al-Baqarah and will be rewarded like the one who has recited a fourth of the Quran.
Imam al-Sādiq (a) emphasized reciting this Sūrah in Nawafil prayers, saying it would keep the reciter safe from the earthquake and natural calamities.
Note: According to scholars such a reward is for those who heed the message of the sūra.
General synopsis of contents
1) The natural events that will occur before the Day of Judgment (vv. 1-3)
2) The earth will bear witness to the deeds of human beings (vv. 4-5)
3) Facing the results of actions in the world (vv. 6-8).
Selected Lessons
1) Natural phenomena will change completely at the onset of the Day of Judgement.
2) The earth on which we live will bear witness to our deeds.
3) Every big and small deed of the human being is recorded and will be brought up on that Day.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
It is advisable that the entire Sūrah be memorized and often recited in salaat.
Activities for self-study
1) Read the following hadith about the earth:
a) Protect the earth, because she is your mother; and there is no one on her who does good or evil, but that she reports it. Holy Prophet a.
b) Say your prayers at different points in the Mosques, because on the Day of Judgement every part will bear witness for the one who has prayed thereon. Imam Ali (a) (Both Hadith quoted in Tafsīr Namūneh)
What do these hadith tell you about the earth? What are you doing to show respect for the earth?
2) There will be many different witnesses to the deeds of human being on the Day of Judgment. For a list of witnesses and the verses that talk about each witness check: