Surah Al-Zalzalah (Quran Chapter 99) SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Surah Az-Zilzal is the 99th chapter of the Holy Quran. The name “Az-Zilzal” means “The Earthquake.” It is a short surah with only 8 verses. It was revealed in Madinah. This surah talks about the Day of Judgment and how our actions, big or small, will be shown to us on that day.

Background Information

– Surah Az-Zilzal has 8 verses (ayat)

– It is the 99th chapter in the order of the Quran

– It is a Madani surah (revealed in Madinah)

– It comes after Surah Al-Bayyinah and before Surah Al-Adiyat in the Quran

Main Themes of the Surah

This surah focuses on three main ideas:

1. The great earthquake that will happen on the Day of Judgment
2. The earth will tell everything that happened on it
3. People will see all their deeds, even small ones like an atom’s weight

Verse by Verse Explanation

Verses 1-3: The Great Earthquake

Verse 1: “When the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake.”

This verse tells us that on the Day of Judgment, there will be a huge earthquake unlike any we have seen before. The whole earth will shake strongly.

Verse 2: “And when the earth throws out its burdens.”

After the earthquake, the earth will throw out everything inside it. This includes buried treasures, dead bodies, and hidden secrets. Nothing will stay hidden inside the earth.

Verse 3: “And man will say, ‘What is wrong with it?'”

People will be confused and scared. They will wonder why the earth is acting this way. They will not understand what is happening at first.

Verse 4: The Earth Will Speak

Verse 4: “That Day it will report its news.”

This amazing verse tells us that the earth itself will speak and tell everything that happened on it. The earth will be a witness against people who did bad things. It will tell about the good deeds and bad deeds done on it.

 Verses 5-6: Allah’s Command

Verse 5: “Because your Lord has inspired it.”

The earth will speak because Allah will give it permission and power to speak. This shows Allah’s complete control over everything, even things we think cannot speak.

Verse 6: “That Day, people will come forward in separate groups to be shown their deeds.”

On the Day of Judgment, people will be sorted into different groups based on their beliefs and actions. Everyone will go to see what they did during their life.

Verses 7-8: Every Action Counts

Verse 7: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”

This important verse teaches us that even the smallest good deed counts with Allah. Nothing good that we do is too small. Even if it’s as tiny as an atom (the smallest particle), Allah will show it to us on the Day of Judgment. This helps us understand that we should never think any good deed is too small to do.

Verse 8: “And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

Just like with good deeds, even the smallest bad deed will be shown to us. We cannot hide anything from Allah. Even if no person saw what we did, the earth saw it and will tell about it on the Day of Judgment. This teaches us to be careful about even small bad actions.

Important Lessons from Surah Az-Zilzal

1. Accountability for All Actions

The surah teaches us that we are responsible for everything we do. Allah keeps track of all our actions, both good and bad. Nothing is forgotten or ignored.

2. No Deed is Too Small

Sometimes we think small good deeds don’t matter, but this surah tells us that even tiny good actions are important. Similarly, we shouldn’t do small bad deeds thinking they don’t matter – they all count.

3. The Earth is a Witness

This surah teaches us that the places where we do things are witnesses. The earth itself will speak about what happened on it. This helps us remember that even when we are alone, we are not really alone.

4. The Reality of the Day of Judgment

The vivid description of the earthquake reminds us that the Day of Judgment is real and will definitely come. We should prepare for it by doing good deeds.

Virtues of Reciting Surah Az-Zilzal

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said about this surah:

“Whoever recites ‘When the earth is shaken with its earthquake’ until the end, it will be counted as half the Quran for him.” (Reported in Tirmidhi)

Another hadith states:

“Whoever recites it will get the reward of reciting a quarter of the Quran.” (Reported in Al-Baihaqi)

These hadith show the great importance of this short but powerful surah.

How to Apply Surah Az-Zilzal in Our Lives

1. Be mindful of small actions: Remember that even small good deeds count, like smiling at someone or saying a kind word.
2. Avoid small sins: Don’t think that small bad deeds don’t matter. Avoid even minor bad actions.
3. Be conscious that Allah is watching: Remember that the earth records what we do, so we should act properly everywhere.
4. Focus on quality, not just quantity: The surah teaches us that the weight (quality) of our deeds matters, not just how many we do
5. Prepare for the Day of Judgment: Live your life remembering that one day you will stand before Allah and see all your actions.
6. Recite this surah regularly: Make it a habit to recite and reflect on this surah often.

Memorization Tips

Since Surah Az-Zilzal is short, it is easy to memorize. Here are some tips:

1. Break it down: Learn two verses each day
2. Understand the meaning: Knowing what the verses mean makes them easier to remember
3. Listen to recitations: Hearing the surah recited by skilled reciters helps with pronunciation
4. Recite in prayers: Use the verses you’ve memorized in your daily prayers
5. Teach others: Teaching the surah to someone else helps strengthen your memorization

Conclusion

Surah Az-Zilzal may be short, but it contains powerful messages about accountability and the Day of Judgment. It reminds us that every action we take, no matter how small, is recorded and will be shown to us. This teaches us to be mindful of our behavior at all times and to never underestimate the power of small good deeds. By understanding and applying the lessons of this surah, we can better prepare ourselves for the Day of Judgment and live more conscientious lives.

When we truly understand that even an atom’s weight of good or bad will be shown to us, it changes how we live. We become more careful about our actions and more eager to do good, no matter how small it may seem.