Surah Az-Zalzala (سُورَةُ الزَّلۡزَلَةِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Az-Zalzala (سُورَةُ الزَّلۡزَلَةِ) — "The Earthquake" is the 99th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 8 verses and is a Medinan (Madani) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا

WHEN THE EARTH quakes with her [last] mighty quaking,

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Verse 2

وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا

and [when] the earth yields up her burdens,

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Verse 3

وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا لَهَا

and man cries out, "What has happened to her?" -

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Verse 4

يَوْمَئِذٍۢ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا

on that Day will she recount all her tidings,

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Verse 5

بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا

as thy Sustainer will have inspired her to do!

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Verse 6

يَوْمَئِذٍۢ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًۭا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ

On that Day will all men come forward, cut off from one another, to be shown their [past] deeds.

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Verse 7

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ

And so, he who shall have done an atom's weight of good, shall behold it;

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Verse 8

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّۭا يَرَهُۥ

and he who shall have done an atom's weight of evil, shall behold it.

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Key Themes

The surah of Az-Zalzala (The Earthquake) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Medinan (Madani) 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 Az-Zalzala 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 Az-Zalzala revealed? It was revealed during the Medinan (Madani) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Az-Zalzala have? It contains 8 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "The Earthquake" mean? The name "Az-Zalzala" translates to "The Earthquake" in English.