Surah al-Qari'ah

It is Meccan without dispute. It consists of eleven verses according to the Kufan count, ten according to the Hijazi, and eight according to the Basran and Syrian. Its connection to what precedes it is too evident to require mention.

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

{The Striking Calamity. What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what the Striking Calamity is?}

The majority hold that it is the Resurrection itself, its beginning being the first blast of the trumpet and its end being the final judgment between the creations. It is also said to be the sound of the blast. Ad-Dahhak said: "It is the Fire, characterized by its rage and roaring," but this is of no account. Regardless, it is derived from al-qar’ (striking), which is hitting with such intensity that a loud sound results from it. Discussion regarding this has already preceded, as has the grammatical analysis of what was mentioned in the discourse on the Almighty’s saying: {The Inevitable Reality. What is the Inevitable Reality? And what can make you know what the Inevitable Reality is?}

‘Isa read al-Qari’ah in the accusative case (nasb), which is explained by the omission of a verb—that is, "Remember the Striking Calamity."