Surah Al-Qaari'a (سُورَةُ القَارِعَةِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Al-Qaari'a (سُورَةُ القَارِعَةِ) — "The Calamity" is the 101st chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 11 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْقَارِعَةُ

OH, the sudden calamity!

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Verse 2

مَا ٱلْقَارِعَةُ

How awesome the sudden calamity!

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Verse 3

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْقَارِعَةُ

And what could make thee conceive what that sudden calamity will be?

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Verse 4

يَوْمَ يَكُونُ ٱلنَّاسُ كَٱلْفَرَاشِ ٱلْمَبْثُوثِ

[It will occur] on the Day when men will be like moths swarming in confusion,

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Verse 5

وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ ٱلْمَنفُوشِ

and the mountains will be like fluffy tufts of wool....

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Verse 6

فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ

And then, he whose weight [of good deeds] is heavy in the balance

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Verse 7

فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍۢ رَّاضِيَةٍۢ

shall find himself in a happy' state of life;

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Verse 8

وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ

whereas he whose weight is light in the balance

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Verse 9

فَأُمُّهُۥ هَاوِيَةٌۭ

shall be engulfed by an abyss.

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Verse 10

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا هِيَهْ

And what could make thee conceive what that [abyss] will be?

...and 1 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

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Key Themes

The surah of Al-Qaari'a (The Calamity) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.

Virtues of Reading This Surah

Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari

Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Al-Qaari'a as part of your daily Quran reading.

How to Recite

1. Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
2. Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
3. Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
4. Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
5. Reflect on the meaning as you recite

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Surah Al-Qaari'a revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Qaari'a have? It contains 11 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "The Calamity" mean? The name "Al-Qaari'a" translates to "The Calamity" in English.