Al-Qari’ah: (4) The Day when mankind shall be...

His saying, the Exalted: (The Day when mankind shall be as moths scattered). It is said that it is in the accusative case by the suppression of the verb "Remember" (idhkur), as if it were said—after magnifying the affair of the Qari’ah (The Striking Hour) and inciting the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to know it—"Remember the Day when mankind shall be..." for it is that which makes you realize what it is.

Al-Zamakhshari said: It is an adverb for a suppressed verb indicated by al-Qari’ah, meaning: "It will strike on the Day..."

Al-Hufi said: It is an adverb for the verb "comes" (ta'ti), which is implied. Some have placed this verb before al-Qari’ah, making the latter its agent.

Ibn Atiyyah said: It is an adverb for al-Qari’ah itself, without any suppression, though he did not specify which "striking" he intended. Abu Hayyan critiqued him, stating that if he intended the first verbal noun, he is refuted by the separation between the operative word (which is in the construct state of the definite article al-) and the governed word by the predicate, which is impermissible. If he intended the second or third [meanings], the meaning of the adverb does not cohere with it. This is supported by the recitation of Zayd ibn Ali: "The Day (yawmun) [in the nominative case]," based on that. Others have estimated the subject to be "its time."

Regarding al-farash (moths): It is stated in the Sihah that it is the plural of farashah, which is that which flies and throws itself into the fire. This is what is narrated from Qatadah. It is also said that it is a delicate bird that heads toward fire and continues to hurl itself upon a lamp and the like until it is burned. Al-Farra’ said: It is the swarm of locusts that spread out upon the earth, mounting one another out of terror.

The author of al-Ta’wilat said: They differed in its interpretation in various ways, but all of them return to a single meaning: indicating the confusion and agitation resulting from the terror of that Day. Many have chosen what was narrated from Qatadah, saying that they are likened—in their abundance, dispersion, weakness, humiliation, coming and going without order, and flying toward the summoner from every direction when he calls them to the place of assembly—to scattered and flying moths. Jarir said:

Verily, al-Farazdaq and his people, I know not, Save as moths covering the fire of the burning hearth.