القارعة
Al Qariah
Verses
11
Revelation
Makki
Period
Early Meccan
Surah No.
101 / 114
Al-Qariah opens with three rhetorical repetitions of "the Striking Calamity" to build anticipation before describing the Day of Judgement: humanity will be like scattered moths and mountains like carded wool. The surah then introduces the scales of deeds – those whose scales are heavy with good will be in a pleasing life; those whose scales are light will fall into the Pit (Hawiyah), described as a blazing fire. The surah is a concentrated meditation on the finality and justice of the Last Day.
أسباب النزول
Revealed in the early Meccan period as part of the sustained campaign of Quranic revelation on the reality of the Day of Judgement, countering the Quraysh's denial of resurrection. The triple repetition "Al-Qariah, what is Al-Qariah, what can make you know what is Al-Qariah" (verses 1-3) mirrors the rhetorical technique of Al-Haqqah and Al-Waqi'ah, building suspense before unveiling the answer.
“As for one whose scales are heavy, he will be in a pleasant life. But as for one whose scales are light – his refuge is an abyss.”
The binary outcome of the scales of deeds, presented with stark simplicity. The word "ummuhu" (his mother/refuge) for the Pit is a devastating irony – the place that should offer comfort and shelter instead devours.