The Earthquake
An earthquake and the earth’s yielding of its burdens open the chapter. Notice the active role of the earth in the imagery. Continue to the account of deeds before discussing the implications of the opening.
Based on Quran 99:1–2. Original study prompt, not a complete tafsir. Compare the passage ↗English Translation - Noor International Center · QuranEnc.com · v1.1.2 ↗
Issued by Noor International Center. Publisher footnotes appear with their verses.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا
(1) When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake
وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا
(2) And the earth discharges its burdens[1962]
وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا لَهَا
(3) And man says,[1963] "What is [wrong] with it?" -
يَوْمَئِذٍۢ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا
(4) That Day, it will report its news
بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا
(5) Because your Lord has inspired [i.e., commanded] it.
يَوْمَئِذٍۢ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًۭا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ
(6) That Day, the people will depart[1964] separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds.
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ
(7) So whoever does an atom's weight[1965] of good will see it,
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّۭا يَرَهُۥ
(8) And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.