Sūrat al-Zilzāl is the ninety-ninth chapter of the Quran. There is a difference of opinion regarding whether it was revealed in Mecca or Medina. The suggestion in favour of its Meccan origin is based on the words of early exegetes, al-Ḍaḥḥāk and ʿAṭāʾ. The general themes of the surah, which include the final hour, the resurrection of man, and some events of the Day of Judgement, give further confidence that it is from the Meccan chapters. However, many others, based on the view of Ibn Abbas, believe this chapter to be revealed in Medina. This is further strengthened by the narration of Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī, who said: ‘When the verse[s] were revealed, So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it, I asked the Messenger of God: “Will I see all of my actions, from the big and the small?” He said: “Yes.” I then said: “May my mother grieve over me.”’ As we know, Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī had joined the Muslims after the Battle of Uḥud which was during the Medinan period.
This surah consists of eight verses, thirty-five words, and 149 letters, and relying on the view of its revelation in Medina, it would be the ninety-third chapter to be revealed, after Sūrat al-Nisāʾ (4) and before Sūrat al-Ḥadīd (57).
The content of the surah prophesises in a single narrative the events that will transpire before and during the Day of Judgement. The opening verse speaks of a cataclysmic earthquake inaugurating the Day of Judgement – after which the chapter is named – followed by its aftermath and the sequence of events thereafter. The concluding verses indicate the omnipotence of God who has complete authority and command of that day, pointing out to the reader the precision of His judgement and administration of justice in which no good or evil shall be overlooked.
Although each of the key events are described in a condensed yet vivid fashion, it seems that God wishes to instil fear into the heart of the reader by describing the conditions of the Day of Resurrection. This in turn serves as a warning for the evildoer and motivation for the obedient to persevere in good actions.
[1] Tibyan, 10/392. [2] Amthal, 20/373; Tamhid, 1/189. [3] Tabarani, 6/539. [4] Ibn Kathir, 8/463. [5] Mustadrak.S, 3/563. [6] Nawawi, 2/655; Tabarani, 6/539.