إِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ ٱنشَقَّتْ 1
Translations
When the sky has split [open]
Transliteration
Idha as-sama'u inshaqqat
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah Al-Inshiqaq with a vivid description of the Day of Judgment, when the sky will be split asunder or cleft apart. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a literal splitting of the heavens that will occur during the final hour, signifying the complete transformation of creation. This opening sets the tone for the surah's eschatological themes, emphasizing the certainty and magnitude of the Day of Resurrection.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Inshiqaq is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was emphasizing the reality of the Hereafter to polytheists who denied resurrection. The surah begins with cosmic signs of the Day of Judgment to establish the certainty of Allah's promise and the inevitability of divine accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the Day of Judgment: 'The heavens will be rolled up like a scroll' (Sahih Muslim 2788). Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there are descriptions of the Day of Judgment where the sky splits apart as one of the major signs preceding the Last Hour.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the current order of creation is temporary and will be utterly transformed, encouraging accountability in this life and unwavering belief in the afterlife. It serves as a powerful call to reflection on one's deeds and purpose, as nothing in this world is permanent except the judgment of Allah.