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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow CHAPTER CI.: ENTITLED SURAT AL QÁRÍA (THE STRIKING). Revealed at Makkah. - The Quran, vol. 4

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CHAPTER CI.: ENTITLED SURAT AL QÁRÍA (THE STRIKING). Revealed at Makkah. - Mohammed, The Quran, vol. 4 [1896]

Edition used:

A Comprehensive Commentary on the Quran: Comprising Sale’s Translation and preliminary Discourse, with Additional Notes and Emendations (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co., 1896). 4 vols.

Part of: The Quran, 4 vols.

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CHAPTER CI.

ENTITLED SURAT AL QÁRÍA (THE STRIKING).

Revealed at Makkah.

INTRODUCTION.

The name given to the judgment-day, which is made the title of this chapter, is translated “smiting” by Palmer and “blow” by Rodwell. It describes or designates the great day of assizes, not because it will “strike the hearts of all creatures with terror,” as Sale has it, but because on that day the wicked will receive the stroke of justice from an angry God.

Probable Date of the Revelations.

All authorities regard this chapter as of Makkan origin. Noëldeke and Muir alike assign it a place among the earliest revelations of the Qurán.

Principal Subjects.

verses
The day of judgment a day of striking1-5
The good and bad shall be judged according to their works6-9
Háwíyah described10, 11

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

R .

(1) The striking! (2) What is the striking? (3) And what shall make thee to understand how terrible the striking will be? (4) On that day men shall be like moths scattered abroad, (5) and the mountains shall become like carded wool of various colours driven by the wind. (6) Moreover, he whose balance shall be heavy with good works, (7) shall lead a pleasing life: (8) but as to him whose balance shall be light, (9) his dwelling shall be the pit of hell. (10) What shall make thee to understand how frightful the pit of hell is? (11) It is a burning fire.

[(1) ]The striking, &c. Savary translates beautifully thus, “Day of calamities! terrible day! Who is able to depict it unto thee? In that day men shall be like unto scattered locusts.”

[(9) ]Pit of hell. “The original word, Háwíyah, is the name of the lowest dungeon of hell, and probably signifies a deep pit or gulf.”—Sale.