In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A Gentle Commentary on the Book "Bi-taqat al-Ta'rif
bi-Suwar al-Mushaf al-Sharif" (Introductory Cards to the Surahs of the Noble Mushaf),
by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif,
may Allah preserve him.
Surah al-Qari'ah.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
And may peace and blessings be upon the seal of the prophets and messengers,
and upon his family and all his Companions.
We continue our gentle commentary on the introductory cards,
and we have arrived at Surah al-Qari'ah.
I have three reflections upon it.
The first reflection:
Although the Surah speaks about the Day of Resurrection,
as is the case in Surat al-Zalzalah and others,
nevertheless,
this Surah is uniquely distinguished
by intense intimidation and fright.
This is noticed—first and foremost—
in the very name of the Surah, "al-Qari'ah" (The Striking Calamity),
meaning that which strikes the hearts with its terrors.
Thus, the intense intimidation is very apparent in the Surah;
so reflect upon that.
The second reflection
is
that the Surah,
even though it is centered around intense intimidation,
is not devoid
of glad tidings and reassurance,
perfectly harmonized with the context.
He said: "Then as for him whose scales are heavy [with good deeds],
he will be in a pleasant life."
Notice:
"he will be in a pleasant life."
The context is one of severe intimidation,
and the Striking Calamity knocks violently upon the hearts.
Yet these people—
they were not merely described
(I mean those with heavy scales)
as being pleased;
rather, their very living is described as being pleasant and pleasing!
This is even more indicative of
their absolute security and tranquility.
Thus, the description was exceptionally fitting.
The third reflection
pertains to these same two verses:
“Then, as for him whose scales are heavy (with good works),” (101:6)
"he will be in a pleasant life."
And it is
that
this glad tiding
that came in this Surah
was also proportionate
to the Surah in terms of quantity and length.
"The Striking Calamity!
What is the Striking Calamity?
“Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Calamity is!” (101:3)
These are three verses...
“A day wherein mankind will be as thickly-scattered moths” (101:4)
"And the mountains will be like fluffed wool."
That completes five verses of intimidation.
Then He said at the end of the Surah:
“But as for him whose scales are light,” (101:8)
"his mother [i.e., home] will be an abyss...
“Ah, what will convey unto thee what she is! -” (101:10)
A Fire, intensely hot."
The total number of verses now
is nine verses of intimidation,
alongside two verses
“Then, as for him whose scales are heavy (with good works),” (101:6)
of "a pleasant life,"
dedicated to glad tidings
and reassurance.
Since the Surah is founded primarily on intimidation,
the proportion of intimidation within it was greater
in quantity
than
that of reassurance.
Notice also—
and with this I conclude—
that
the Surah,
despite being built around intimidation,
hastened
to
mention those with heavy scales before mentioning
those whose scales are light.
And since the Surah's theme is intimidation,
its placement was fitting right in the middle of the Surah,
so that the Surah concludes
with that which matches its opening.
For its beginning is intimidation,
and its conclusion is intimidation,
because its overarching subject is intimidation.
This resembles the rhetorical device of connecting the conclusion
back to the beginning,
and bringing the end of speech
back to its opening.
Its beginning strikes the hearts,
and its ending strikes the hearts,
yet there had to be a measure of reassurance
for the believers.
Thus, the Surah was completed in the most sublime form.
I ask Allah
to grant us understanding of His Book,
to bestow upon us
the ability to act upon it,
and to make it a proof for us
and not against us.
And may Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad
and upon his family and all his Companions.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.