وَقالَ الإِنسانُ ما لَها

And man says: ‘What is the matter with her?’

EXEGESIS

Qāla (says) is a perfect tense verb from the root q-w-l, which means speech. The noun qawl implies an expression of what one has in one’s mind through any means to convey it to the recipient. This could be achieved through spoken words, sounds, gestures, or even through handiwork and creation. Although the verse is talking about the Day of Judgement which is to happen in future, the past tense is used to signify the certainty of the matter, as if it has already taken place.

The prefix al affixed with the word insān (man) shows either a sense of majority or entirety, where all human beings will react in shock and bewilderment to the events unfolding.

Mā lahā (what is the matter with her?) represents a question: what has provoked the earth to shake with such extremity, and for what reason does the earth discharge its burdens in such a way? The verse, therefore, makes note of mankind’s bewildered reaction.

EXPOSITION

The convulsion is a violent quake which God has reserved for the Day of Judgement, and its causes and effects will be unrivalled to the common earthquakes of this world. An earthquake is often limited to a specific locality and differs in terms of its intensity and veracity; at times it can destroy entire civilisations, and sometimes nothing can come from it. As for this earthquake, its intensity shall overwhelm, as if reminding the reader of his mortality and that all things are perishable, forcing him to think about the cause of such an earthquake.

This verse outlines man’s reaction upon witnessing such a terrible phenomenon, and it is because of its greatness and intensity that all will be in a state of utter shock and confusion, and they will say: ‘What is the matter with the world?’

With this in mind, certain discussions surrounding the verse give rise to a question: will the believers and disbelievers both react with shock and awe? Exegetes have opined that the reaction of the latter will be of bewilderment and fear, for what they regarded as impossible is now unfolding in front of their eyes,^{‎[1]Suyuti, 6/380; Tabari, 30/172.} They will say: ‘Woe to us! Who raised us from our place of sleep?’ (36:52).

Regarding the verse under discussion, Ibn Abbas explains that the disbelievers shall ask the question: What is the matter with her?^{‎[2]Suyuti, 6/380.} The believers, on the other hand, will acknowledge the occurrence as a heralding of the Day of Judgement, a promised prophecy, and they will say: This is what the All-beneficent had promised, and the apostles had spoken the truth!’ (36:52). Further, They will say: ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who has removed all grief from us. Indeed our Lord is all-forgiving, all-appreciative’ (35:34).

However, some have argued, as the word insān appears without any condition, it is correct to assume all human beings will react in awe and bewilderment, believers and disbelievers alike.^{‎[3]Amthal, 20/376; Tabarani, 6/540; Tibyan, 10/393.} And although the believers will understand what is to come, they will exhibit fear from the sight of such events.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is reported from Tamīm ibn Ḥātam that he said: ‘We were with Ali (a) leaving towards Basra, when the earth abruptly began to shake. The Imam (a) struck the ground with his hands and said: “What is wrong with you?” He then turned towards us and said: “If this were the same earthquake mentioned in the book of God, most surely she would have answered me. But it is not.”’^{‎[4]Ilal, 2/555.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Regarding whether the reaction of shock will be in relation to the first earthquake or the second, some exegetes, such as Ṭūsī, Ṭabrisī, and Tabatabai, to name but a few, maintain that as the burdens refers to bodies, the shock corresponds to the second quake.^{‎[5]Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/317.} And Rāzī states that it is possible the shock and fear overcome people at both the first and second quakes.^{‎[6]Razi, 32/255.} Makārim Shīrāzī, however, opines that since the two phenomena are mentioned together elsewhere in the Quran, the first quake is meant.^{‎[7]Amthal, 20/377.} In view of this, he concludes that the burdens mentioned in the previous verse refers to treasures, attributed to the first quake, signifying the end of the world.^{‎[8]Amthal, 20/377.}

[1] Suyuti, 6/380; Tabari, 30/172.
[2] Suyuti, 6/380.
[3] Amthal, 20/376; Tabarani, 6/540; Tibyan, 10/393.
[4] Ilal, 2/555.
[5] Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/317.
[6] Razi, 32/255.
[7] Amthal, 20/377.
[8] Amthal, 20/377.