Al-Infitar
Encyclopedia
Sūrat al-Infiṭār (The Cleaving, Bursting Apart) is the 82nd sura of the Qur'an
with 19 ayat. The chapter is named ‘Al-Infitar’ because of the occurrence of the word ‘unfatarat’, in the first verse of this chapter. Infitar means ‘split asunder’. This word, ‘Unfatarat’ is used in this chapter in order to describe the splitting the sky on the day of Judgment. This chapter (Al-Infitar), along with Chapter At-Takwir and Al-Inshiqaq provide exhaustive description about ‘Day of Judgment’.
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
When the sky will be cleft asunder [1] and when the stars will disperse, [2] and when the seas will be burst forth, [3] and when the graves will be overturned, [4] then one will know what he sent ahead and what he left behind. [5] O man! What has deceived you about your Gracious Lord, [6] who created you, then perfected you, then brought you in due proportion? [7] He composed you in whichever form He willed. [8] Never! (i.e. one should never be heedless towards him.) But you deny the Requital, [9] while (appointed) over you there are watchers, [10] who are noble, writers (of the deeds), [11] who know whatever you do. [12] Surely the righteous will be in bliss, [13] and surely the sinners will be in Hell, [14] in which they will enter on the Day of Requital, [15] and they will not (be able to) keep away from it. [16] And what may let you know what the Day of Requital is? [17] Again, what may let you know what the Day of Requital is? [18] A Day when no one will have power to do anything for another! And all matters, on that Day, will belong to Allah (alone). [19]
English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall:
When the heaven is cleft asunder [1] When the planets are dispersed [2] When the seas are poured forth, [3] And the sepulchres are overturned, [4] A soul will know what it hath sent before (it) and what left behind.[5] O man! What hath made thee careless concerning thy Lord, the Bountiful, [6] Who created thee, then fashioned, then proportioned thee? [7] Into whatsoever form He will, He casteth thee [8] Nay, but they deny the Judgment.[9] Lo ! there are above you guardians, [10] Generous and recording, [11] Who know (all) that ye do. [12] Lo! the righteous verily will be in delight [13] And lo! the wicked verily will be in hell; [14] They will burn therein on the Day of Judgment, [15] And will not be absent thence. [16] Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Day of Judgment is! [17] Again, what will convey unto thee what the Day of Judgment is! [18] A day on which no soul hath power at all for any (other) soul. The (absolute) command on that day is Allah's. [19]
English Translation by Yusuf Ali:.
When the Sky is cleft asunder; [1] When the Stars are scattered; [2] When the Oceans are suffered to burst forth; [3] And when the Graves are turned upside down; [4] (Then) shall each soul know what it hath sent forward and (what it hath) kept back. [5] O man! What has seduced thee from thy Lord Most Beneficent? [6] Him Who created thee. Fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias; [7] In whatever Form He wills, does He put thee together. [8] Day! nit ye do reject Right and Judgment! [9] But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you, [10] Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds): [11] They know (and understand) all that ye do. [12] As for the Righteous, they will be in bliss; [13] And the Wicked - they will be in the Fire, [14] Which they will enter on the Day of Judgment, [15] And they will not be able to keep away therefrom. [16] And what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is? [17] Again, what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is? [18] (It will be) the Day when no soul shall have power (to do) aught for another: For the command, that Day, will be (wholly) with Allah [19]
Say, In (or with) the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Beginning is with Allah's personal name Ar'Reh'maan Who is The Fountain of Infinite Mercy.
[Note: It should be remembered that it is not the written text/part/Ayah of سُورة [Chapter 82] and hence it is never numbered. For convenience of those readers who are already believers, this is traditionally printed since it is commanded in the Qur'aan to read/recite with the Name of Sustainer Lord, The Creator]
The first four verses of this chapter describe the events that would occur on Day of Judgment. According to the verses, on the Day of Judgment the sky will be split, the stars will scatter, the oceans will burst forth and the graves will be overturned. With the help of cosmological science, we can get some insights about these verses. Scientific pursuits to fully understand the functioning of this universe are ongoing and our current scientific knowledge is incomplete. Yet, the advances of science provide insights on how our Creator has created this Universe. It is in this context, we must look at the scientific findings to grasp and appreciate the first four verses of this chapter. Although the scientific description of skies and stars is complex and beyond the scope of this article, for the sake of understanding, we now describe some important scientific discoveries regarding skies and stars that will help is in understanding these verses. General impression among people is that, the space between stars is filled with vacuum or emptiness. However, modern sciences (theory of relativity and quantum field theories) have revealed that, vacuum is not empty. The vacuum or space itself is dynamic and can be bent. Some important scientific developments in this context are:
With the above scientific knowledge as background, the following meaning from the first two verses can be deducted.
اِذَا السَّمَآءُ انۡفَطَرَتۡ
وَ اِذَا الۡکَوَاکِبُ انۡتَثَرَتۡ
When the sky will be cleft asunder [1] and when the stars will disperse [2]
Splitting the sky might refer to breaking of space-time continuum. When the space-time continuum is broken, the gravitational force will either cease to exist or fluctuates erratically. If the gravitational force ceases to exist or fluctuates, it would impact the movement of the stars. The stars will either fly away or collide with each other. Sun, being one of the many stars in this Universe, will also be affected by this. Therefore, the verses reveal that, on the ‘Day of Judgment’, the space-time continuum would be broken and the stars would be scattered across.
Given that, our current scientific knowledge is in agreement with the first and second verses, let us further understand, what would be the impact on the earth when the gravity of the sun fluctuates erratically. It is well-established that, tides across the oceans are caused by gravitational pull of moon and the sun. If the gravity of the sun fluctuates even by the slightest of margin, large tidal waves called Tsunamis would occur on earth. In cases of erratic fluctuation of sun’s gravitational forces, the magnitude of the Tsunami can be so high the waves can submerge the landscape on the earth. With every ocean on the earth generating Tsunamis, the water of the oceans will sweep across the continents. The water wave would not only sweep away everything that is artificially constructed on land but also cause severe soil erosion.
وَ اِذَا الۡبِحَارُ فُجِّرَتۡ
وَ اِذَا الۡقُبُوۡرُ بُعۡثِرَتۡ
and when the seas will be burst forth, [3] and when the graves will be overturned, [4]
According to the verses, the seas will be burst forth, which means, the seas will burst with Tsunamis. The overturning of the graves might refer to the severe soil erosion that would be caused by the Tsunamis, where the soil present on the landscape will be swept away by the water waves. The people buried in the graves are covered by soil. If the soil is swept away, then whatever that is present in the grave will come to the surface and float in the water. The above scientific explanation for Day of Judgment is our best attempt to understand the verses; the true explanation is only with Allah.
After describing the events of the Day of Judgment, Allah says,
عَلِمَتۡ نَفۡسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ وَ اَخَّرَتۡ
Then one will know what he sent ahead and what he left behind. [5]
Allah says, on the Day of Judgment the man will come to know ‘what he sent ahead and what he left behind’. This phrase is also present in Surah Qiyamah (chapter 75, verse 13). Several interpretations are available in literature about this verse. Some interpretations of this verse are as follows:
If we consider all the interpretations of this verse holistically, then we understand that, human beings are accountable for their acts and they should be careful about not setting a bad example. If a person sets a good example, then Allah shall rewarded him for his act and for the acts that other people by following his example. If the person sets a bad example, then Allah shall punish not only for his act but also for the acts of the other people who have followed his example. On the Day of Judgment, every person will come to know, what impact his/her acts have had.
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
with 19 ayat. The chapter is named ‘Al-Infitar’ because of the occurrence of the word ‘unfatarat’, in the first verse of this chapter. Infitar means ‘split asunder’. This word, ‘Unfatarat’ is used in this chapter in order to describe the splitting the sky on the day of Judgment. This chapter (Al-Infitar), along with Chapter At-Takwir and Al-Inshiqaq provide exhaustive description about ‘Day of Judgment’.
Arabic Verses
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
- اِذَا السَّمَآءُ انۡفَطَرَتۡ
- وَ اِذَا الۡکَوَاکِبُ انۡتَثَرَتۡ
- وَ اِذَا الۡبِحَارُ فُجِّرَتۡ
- وَ اِذَا الۡقُبُوۡرُ بُعۡثِرَتۡ
- عَلِمَتۡ نَفۡسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ وَ اَخَّرَتۡ
- یٰۤاَیُّہَا الۡاِنۡسَانُ مَا غَرَّکَ بِرَبِّکَ الۡکَرِیۡمِ
- الَّذِیۡ خَلَقَکَ فَسَوّٰىکَ فَعَدَلَکَ
- فِیۡۤ اَیِّ صُوۡرَۃٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَکَّبَکَ
- کَلَّا بَلۡ تُکَذِّبُوۡنَ بِالدِّیۡنِ
- وَ اِنَّ عَلَیۡکُمۡ لَحٰفِظِیۡنَ
- کِرَامًا کَاتِبِیۡنَ
- یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ مَا تَفۡعَلُوۡنَ
- اِنَّ الۡاَبۡرَارَ لَفِیۡ نَعِیۡمٍ
- وَ اِنَّ الۡفُجَّارَ لَفِیۡ جَحِیۡمٍ
- یَّصۡلَوۡنَہَا یَوۡمَ الدِّیۡنِ
- وَ مَا ہُمۡ عَنۡہَا بِغَآئِبِیۡنَ
- وَ مَاۤ اَدۡرٰىکَ مَا یَوۡمُ الدِّیۡنِ
- ثُمَّ مَاۤ اَدۡرٰىکَ مَا یَوۡمُ الدِّیۡنِ
- یَوۡمَ لَا تَمۡلِکُ نَفۡسٌ لِّنَفۡسٍ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَ الۡاَمۡرُ یَوۡمَئِذٍ لِّلّٰہِ
English Translation of verses
English Translation by Muhammad Shameem, Mohammad Wali Raazi and Muhammad Taqi Usmani:When the sky will be cleft asunder [1] and when the stars will disperse, [2] and when the seas will be burst forth, [3] and when the graves will be overturned, [4] then one will know what he sent ahead and what he left behind. [5] O man! What has deceived you about your Gracious Lord, [6] who created you, then perfected you, then brought you in due proportion? [7] He composed you in whichever form He willed. [8] Never! (i.e. one should never be heedless towards him.) But you deny the Requital, [9] while (appointed) over you there are watchers, [10] who are noble, writers (of the deeds), [11] who know whatever you do. [12] Surely the righteous will be in bliss, [13] and surely the sinners will be in Hell, [14] in which they will enter on the Day of Requital, [15] and they will not (be able to) keep away from it. [16] And what may let you know what the Day of Requital is? [17] Again, what may let you know what the Day of Requital is? [18] A Day when no one will have power to do anything for another! And all matters, on that Day, will belong to Allah (alone). [19]
English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall:
When the heaven is cleft asunder [1] When the planets are dispersed [2] When the seas are poured forth, [3] And the sepulchres are overturned, [4] A soul will know what it hath sent before (it) and what left behind.[5] O man! What hath made thee careless concerning thy Lord, the Bountiful, [6] Who created thee, then fashioned, then proportioned thee? [7] Into whatsoever form He will, He casteth thee [8] Nay, but they deny the Judgment.[9] Lo ! there are above you guardians, [10] Generous and recording, [11] Who know (all) that ye do. [12] Lo! the righteous verily will be in delight [13] And lo! the wicked verily will be in hell; [14] They will burn therein on the Day of Judgment, [15] And will not be absent thence. [16] Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Day of Judgment is! [17] Again, what will convey unto thee what the Day of Judgment is! [18] A day on which no soul hath power at all for any (other) soul. The (absolute) command on that day is Allah's. [19]
English Translation by Yusuf Ali:.
When the Sky is cleft asunder; [1] When the Stars are scattered; [2] When the Oceans are suffered to burst forth; [3] And when the Graves are turned upside down; [4] (Then) shall each soul know what it hath sent forward and (what it hath) kept back. [5] O man! What has seduced thee from thy Lord Most Beneficent? [6] Him Who created thee. Fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias; [7] In whatever Form He wills, does He put thee together. [8] Day! nit ye do reject Right and Judgment! [9] But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you, [10] Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds): [11] They know (and understand) all that ye do. [12] As for the Righteous, they will be in bliss; [13] And the Wicked - they will be in the Fire, [14] Which they will enter on the Day of Judgment, [15] And they will not be able to keep away therefrom. [16] And what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is? [17] Again, what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is? [18] (It will be) the Day when no soul shall have power (to do) aught for another: For the command, that Day, will be (wholly) with Allah [19]
Detailed Explanation of Verses
Say, In (or with) the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Beginning is with Allah's personal name Ar'Reh'maan Who is The Fountain of Infinite Mercy.
[Note: It should be remembered that it is not the written text/part/Ayah of سُورة [Chapter 82] and hence it is never numbered. For convenience of those readers who are already believers, this is traditionally printed since it is commanded in the Qur'aan to read/recite with the Name of Sustainer Lord, The Creator]
The first four verses of this chapter describe the events that would occur on Day of Judgment. According to the verses, on the Day of Judgment the sky will be split, the stars will scatter, the oceans will burst forth and the graves will be overturned. With the help of cosmological science, we can get some insights about these verses. Scientific pursuits to fully understand the functioning of this universe are ongoing and our current scientific knowledge is incomplete. Yet, the advances of science provide insights on how our Creator has created this Universe. It is in this context, we must look at the scientific findings to grasp and appreciate the first four verses of this chapter. Although the scientific description of skies and stars is complex and beyond the scope of this article, for the sake of understanding, we now describe some important scientific discoveries regarding skies and stars that will help is in understanding these verses. General impression among people is that, the space between stars is filled with vacuum or emptiness. However, modern sciences (theory of relativity and quantum field theories) have revealed that, vacuum is not empty. The vacuum or space itself is dynamic and can be bent. Some important scientific developments in this context are:
- Sky is made up of space-time.
- There are billions of stars in this universe. Stars exist in groups, which are called ‘galaxies’. Stars move within the galaxies. Galaxies itself are not fixed at one point but rather continuously moving.
- Stars move under the influence of a force called ‘gravitational force’. It is because of ‘gravitational force’ that, group of stars come together to form galaxies. If the gravitational force between the stars disappears all of a sudden, then stars will fly away, breaking the structure of galaxies.
- In 17th century, Isaac Newton proposed a theory that said, gravitational force is due attraction between two bodies due to their masses. However, in 20th century, Albert Einstein further improved Newton’s theory by discovering a new theory of Gravitation. According to Einstein’s gravitational theory, the force of gravitation is due to bending of space-time in presence of mass. The space that appears empty to our naked eyes isn’t empty or hollow but rather it is a dynamic (movable).
With the above scientific knowledge as background, the following meaning from the first two verses can be deducted.
اِذَا السَّمَآءُ انۡفَطَرَتۡ
وَ اِذَا الۡکَوَاکِبُ انۡتَثَرَتۡ
When the sky will be cleft asunder [1] and when the stars will disperse [2]
Splitting the sky might refer to breaking of space-time continuum. When the space-time continuum is broken, the gravitational force will either cease to exist or fluctuates erratically. If the gravitational force ceases to exist or fluctuates, it would impact the movement of the stars. The stars will either fly away or collide with each other. Sun, being one of the many stars in this Universe, will also be affected by this. Therefore, the verses reveal that, on the ‘Day of Judgment’, the space-time continuum would be broken and the stars would be scattered across.
Given that, our current scientific knowledge is in agreement with the first and second verses, let us further understand, what would be the impact on the earth when the gravity of the sun fluctuates erratically. It is well-established that, tides across the oceans are caused by gravitational pull of moon and the sun. If the gravity of the sun fluctuates even by the slightest of margin, large tidal waves called Tsunamis would occur on earth. In cases of erratic fluctuation of sun’s gravitational forces, the magnitude of the Tsunami can be so high the waves can submerge the landscape on the earth. With every ocean on the earth generating Tsunamis, the water of the oceans will sweep across the continents. The water wave would not only sweep away everything that is artificially constructed on land but also cause severe soil erosion.
وَ اِذَا الۡبِحَارُ فُجِّرَتۡ
وَ اِذَا الۡقُبُوۡرُ بُعۡثِرَتۡ
and when the seas will be burst forth, [3] and when the graves will be overturned, [4]
According to the verses, the seas will be burst forth, which means, the seas will burst with Tsunamis. The overturning of the graves might refer to the severe soil erosion that would be caused by the Tsunamis, where the soil present on the landscape will be swept away by the water waves. The people buried in the graves are covered by soil. If the soil is swept away, then whatever that is present in the grave will come to the surface and float in the water. The above scientific explanation for Day of Judgment is our best attempt to understand the verses; the true explanation is only with Allah.
After describing the events of the Day of Judgment, Allah says,
عَلِمَتۡ نَفۡسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ وَ اَخَّرَتۡ
Then one will know what he sent ahead and what he left behind. [5]
Allah says, on the Day of Judgment the man will come to know ‘what he sent ahead and what he left behind’. This phrase is also present in Surah Qiyamah (chapter 75, verse 13). Several interpretations are available in literature about this verse. Some interpretations of this verse are as follows:
- Sayyidna Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud and Ibn Abbas (Razi’Allah Anhuma) have interpreted this verse as follows. The phrase ‘what he sent ahead’ refers to the good deeds he has sent forth before his death. The phrase ‘what he left behind’ refers to the good or bad, useful or harmful custom he invented and left behind which people follow. He will continue to receive its reward or punishment.
- Qatadah (Razi’Allah Anhu) have interpreted this verse as follows. The phrase ‘what he sent ahead’ refers to a good deed he did in his lifetime and the phrase ‘what he left behind’ refers to a good deed he could have done but did not do and wasted his time or opportunity.
- Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shafi writes in Mariful Quran (translated in English by Maulana Ahmed Khalil Aziz) that, this verse is can be interpreted The phrase 'what he sent ahead' means the good or evil act which he has done in his life; and the phrase 'what he left behind' means what he failed to do or refrained from doing. It is also possible that 'what he sent ahead' refers to the acts he has done himself, and 'what he left behind' refers to the acts one has not done himself, but he has laid down a custom in the society. This based on the following Hadith from Sahih Muslim. "If anyone establishes a good tradition in Islam, he will have a reward for it and the equivalent of the rewards of those who act upon it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect; but he who establishes a bad custom in Islam will bear the responsibility of it and the responsibility of those who act upon it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect." - Book 33, Hadith No. 6466
- The verse ‘Then one will know what he sent ahead and what he left behind’, in totality could also mean that, on the Day of Judgment, human beings will come to know which of their acts have been accepted as virtues by Allah and which of his acts are rejected. If the weight of the accepted virtues is higher, then will go to paradise and if the weight of the accepted virtues is lower than sins, then the person is thrown in the hell.
If we consider all the interpretations of this verse holistically, then we understand that, human beings are accountable for their acts and they should be careful about not setting a bad example. If a person sets a good example, then Allah shall rewarded him for his act and for the acts that other people by following his example. If the person sets a bad example, then Allah shall punish not only for his act but also for the acts of the other people who have followed his example. On the Day of Judgment, every person will come to know, what impact his/her acts have had.
External links
- Al-Infitar at Sacred Texts
- The Holy Qur'an, translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
- Three translations at Project Gutenberg