The Dividing
82: Al Infitar, Meccan Period
This chapter succinctly addresses people in general to confront their own faith, or lack of it, and to understand that God is not unmindful of what they do. This was an important point to make to the pagans of Mecca who believed that God was remote and uncaring, even as their idols were more immediate and real. The vivid opening lines describing the Last Day were commented upon especially by the Prophet when he said, “Whoever wants to experience Resurrection Day like one who will really be seeing it with his own eyes, should read chapters 81, 82 and 84.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
In the Name of Allah,
the Compassionate Source of All Mercy.
When the skies are divided (1) and the stars are dispersed, (2) when the oceans overflow (3) and the graves are overturned, (4) then, every soul will know what it has earned. [1] (5)
Humanity! Why have you allowed yourselves to be lured away from your Most Gracious Lord (6) - the One Who created, formed, fashioned (7) and structured you as He willed. (8) But even still, you deny the Judgment! (9) But there are guardians appointed (to watch) over you (10) - noble recorders (11) who know everything you’re doing. [2] (12)
The righteous will be in ecstasy, (13) even as the corrupt will burn in the Fire. (14) They’re going to enter it on the Day of Judgment (15) and won’t be able to avoid it. (16) So, how can you appreciate the magnitude of the Day of Judgment, (17) and how can you comprehend what the Day of Judgment will mean? (18) That Day, no soul will be able to help another. (On that Day,) only God’s command will be fulfilled. [3] (19)
[1] Lit. sent forward and left back, a reference to what has been earned on each soul’s record of faith and deeds.
[2] The Prophet said that the angels only look away when a person is using the bathroom, has had intimate relations, or is naked, so he asked Muslims to take their showers in private behind a curtain out of respect for them. (Ibn Abi Hatim)
[3] The classical writer, Abu al-Atahiyah (d. 828,) once wrote a poem addressed to the Abbasid Caliph Harun ar-Rashid of Baghdad: “Live securely as you wish; the palace heights are safe enough. With pleasures flooding day and night, the smooth proves sweeter than the rough. But when your breath begins to clog in sharp contractions in your lungs, then know for certain, my dear sire, you life was vain as idle tongues.”
