Surah Al-Infitar (The Cleaving)
Read in the interactive Mushaf readerAbout this surah
Name
It is derived from the word infatarat in the first verse. Infitar is an infinitive which means to cleave or split asunder, thereby implying that it is the Surah in which the splitting asunder of the sky has been mentioned.
Period of Revelation
This Surah and the Surah At-Takwir closely resemble each other in their subject matter. This shows that both were sent down in about the same period.
Theme and Subject Matter
Its theme is the Hereafter. According to a tradition related in Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn al-Mundhir, Tabarani, Hakim and Ibn Marduyah, on the authority of Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar, the Holy Messenger (upon whom be peace) said: "The one who wants that he should see the Resurrection Day as one would see it with one's eyes, should read Surah At-Takwir, Surah Al-Infitar and Surah Al-Inshiqaq."
In this Surah first the Resurrection Day has been described and it is said that when it occurs, every person will see whatever he has done in the world. After this, man has been asked to ponder the question: "O man, what has deluded you into thinking that the God, Who brought you into being and by Whose favor and bounty you possess the finest body, limbs and features among all creatures, is only bountiful and not just? His being bountiful and generous does not mean that you should become fearless of His justice."Then, man has been warned, so as to say: "Do not remain involved in any misunderstanding. Your complete record is being prepared. There are trustworthy writers who are writing down whatever you do." In conclusion, it has been forcefully stated that the Day of Resurrection will surely take place when the righteous shall enjoy every kind of bliss in Paradise and the wicked shall be punished in Hell. On that day no one shall avail anyone anything. All powers of judgment shall be with Allah.
Surah Al-Infitar — Arabic with English translation
وَإِذَا ٱلۡقُبُورُ بُعۡثِرَتۡ ٤
And when the [contents of] graves are scattered [i.e., exposed],
عَلِمَتۡ نَفۡسٞ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ وَأَخَّرَتۡ ٥
A soul will [then] know what it has put forth and kept back.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلۡكَرِيمِ ٦
O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous,
ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ ٧
Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you?
فِيٓ أَيِّ صُورَةٖ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ ٨
In whatever form He willed has He assembled you.
وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَحَٰفِظِينَ ١٠
And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers,1
إِنَّ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارَ لَفِي نَعِيمٖ ١٣
Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure,
وَإِنَّ ٱلۡفُجَّارَ لَفِي جَحِيمٖ ١٤
And indeed, the wicked will be in Hellfire.
يَصۡلَوۡنَهَا يَوۡمَ ٱلدِّينِ ١٥
They will [enter to] burn therein on the Day of Recompense,
وَمَا هُمۡ عَنۡهَا بِغَآئِبِينَ ١٦
And never therefrom will they be absent.
وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا يَوۡمُ ٱلدِّينِ ١٧
And what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense?
ثُمَّ مَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا يَوۡمُ ٱلدِّينِ ١٨
Then, what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense?
يَوۡمَ لَا تَمۡلِكُ نَفۡسٞ لِّنَفۡسٖ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُ يَوۡمَئِذٖ لِّلَّهِ ١٩
It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allāh.