Surah Al-Qariah (The Calamity)
Surah Al-Qariah, the 101st chapter of the Holy Quran, is a Meccan surah consisting of 11 verses. The term "Al-Qariah" translates to "The Calamity" or "The Striking Hour," referring to the Day of Judgment. This surah vividly describes the sudden and overwhelming nature of this day, emphasizing the terror and chaos that will accompany it.
The surah begins with a series of rhetorical questions, "What is the Calamity? And what can make you know what the Calamity is?" to draw attention to the enormity and the awe-inspiring impact of this event. It then portrays the scenes of the Last Day, where people will be like scattered moths and mountains will become like carded wool.
The latter part of the surah focuses on the outcomes of the deeds of individuals. It states that those whose scales of good deeds are heavy will be in a state of satisfaction, while those whose scales are light will have their abode in Hawiyah (a pit of blazing fire). This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of worldly life and the inevitable accountability in the hereafter, urging believers to prepare for the Day of Judgment by leading a life of righteousness and good deeds.
