أَفَلا يَعلَمُ إِذا بُعثِرَ ما فِي القُبورِ

Does he not know, when what is [buried] in the graves is turned over.

EXEGESIS

Buʿthira (turned over) is a passive perfect verb which means the churning of sand and dirt, discharging gold and silver and dead bodies from the depths of the earth, such that what is in the bottom rises to the top (99:2).^{‎[1]Lisan, 4/72; Bahrayn, 3/227.} Some linguistics have interpreted buʿthira as the partitioning of something unsystematically, as if spreading out and scattering in all directions.^{‎[2]Tahqiq, 1/322; Sabzawari, 7/404.}

Qubūr (graves) is the plural of qabr, which means grave or tomb. Maqābir (sing. maqbarah) are the places of burial as in 102:2. This verse speaks of what will transpire on the Day of Resurrection, when all bodies shall be brought forth from their graves.^{‎[3]Raghib, p. 652.}

This verse illustrates the extremity of how the earth will discharge, exposing everything that is in the depths of the graves, and beyond that whatever is stored in the hearts from the attributes of belief and disbelief, good and evil. Therefore, the meaning of the verse is: Does he not know that his ingratitude and his disbelief of his Lord will be unveiled and he will be judged according to it?^{‎[4]Mizan, 20/347.} The resurrection itself will expose secrets such that nothing is hidden.

EXPOSITION

According to most commentators, this verse explains that the disbelievers are ungrateful and lack appreciation, which is embedded in their character. These concluding verses expound on the intricate details of what will transpire on the Day of Judgement such that when the bodies are released from the graves, individuals shall be distinguished and separated solely based on what is in their hearts from belief, disbelief, obedience, and disobedience,^{‎[5]Tabrisi, 10/805.} On that day their Lord will be well informed about them (verse 11).^{‎[6]Mizan, 20/347.} God will release the bodies from their graves, scattering them like locusts. They will be taken to their individual stands as if entering a courtroom, ready for the divine accounting and judgement.^{‎[7]Sabzawari, 7/404.}  

It is also pertinent to note that when the verse says what is in the graves, this includes lost and forgotten identities, for example those who are buried in unspecified graves, or drowned in seas and oceans, or those who were cremated. Since the verse speaks of the majority – who are buried – it does not exclude exceptional cases.^{‎[8]Amthal, 20/398.}    

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.^{‎[9]Matthew 10:26.}
2. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.^{‎[10]Luke 8:17.}
3. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.^{‎[11]Luke 12:2.}

[1] Lisan, 4/72; Bahrayn, 3/227.
[2] Tahqiq, 1/322; Sabzawari, 7/404.
[3] Raghib, p. 652.
[4] Mizan, 20/347.
[5] Tabrisi, 10/805.
[6] Mizan, 20/347.
[7] Sabzawari, 7/404.
[8] Amthal, 20/398.
[9] Matthew 10:26.
[10] Luke 8:17.
[11] Luke 12:2.