وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ فُجِّرَتْ 3
Translations
And when the seas are erupted
Transliteration
Wa-idha al-biharu fujjirat
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes one of the cosmic signs of the Day of Judgment, when the seas will be burst forth or made to overflow from their boundaries. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as the seas bursting out of their basins and mingling together, or alternatively, as the seas being split asunder—a manifestation of Allah's power at the end of times. This imagery emphasizes the complete upheaval of the natural world as we know it, signaling the reality and inevitability of the Final Day.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Infitar, a Meccan chapter that describes the catastrophic events of the Day of Judgment. It forms part of a series of cosmic events (the cleaving of the heavens, the scattering of the stars, the casting out of the angels) meant to awaken the Meccan listeners to the reality of the Afterlife and Allah's absolute authority over creation.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2940) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the Day of Judgment with vivid imagery of natural upheaval. Additionally, Surah Al-Infitar 82:1-2 is often paired with hadiths about the Hour in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that describe similar cosmic disturbances.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that all material structures we see as permanent and stable are temporary and subject to Allah's will, encouraging humility and preparation for the Afterlife. It invites reflection on our accountability before Allah and the ultimate futility of worldly attachments.
Related Ayahs
يَقُولُونَ أَءِنَّا لَمَرْدُودُونَ فِى ٱلْحَافِرَةِ
They are [presently] saying, "Will we indeed be returned to [our] former state [of life]?
إِذَا رَأَتْهُم مِّن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا
When it [i.e., the Hellfire] sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring.
رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا
[From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.
۞ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أُجِبْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ
[Be warned of] the Day when Allāh will assemble the messengers and say, "What was the response you received?" They will say, "We have no knowledge. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen" -