يَوْمَ تَكُونُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ كَٱلْمُهْلِ 8
Translations
On the Day the sky will be like murky oil,
Transliteration
Yawma takūnu as-samā'u ka-al-muhl
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a scene from the Day of Judgment when the sky will become like molten copper or oil (muhl). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as depicting the sky's transformation into a liquid, viscous state—symbolizing the complete upheaval and dissolution of the celestial order. This vivid imagery emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the Day of Resurrection and the impossibility of the world continuing as we know it.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ma'arij is a Meccan chapter that describes the horrors and realities of the Day of Judgment in graphic terms to warn the disbelievers of Mecca about the consequences of rejecting the Message. This particular ayah is part of a series of descriptions (70:8-18) depicting various terrifying scenes of the Day of Judgment, meant to inspire fear of Allah and urgency in believers' hearts.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) described similar scenes: 'The sun will be brought close to the people on the Day of Judgment until it is at a distance of one mile' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2432). Additionally, Surah Al-Hajj 22:20 provides a complementary description: 'Whenever the fire breaks forth from it, they will be cast back into it' (Sahih al-Bukhari context).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the material world we perceive as permanent and unchanging will be utterly transformed, encouraging detachment from worldly concerns and focus on spiritual preparation through righteous deeds and obedience to Allah.