Tafsir of Az-Zalzala 99:5

Surah Az-Zalzalah (99): Verse 5

{بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا} (that your Lord has inspired it [to do so].)

Regarding the Almighty's saying: {بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا} (that your Lord has inspired it [to do so]), there are two questions:

The First Question: What is the preposition Bā’ (بِـ) in the phrase {بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ} related to?

The Answer: It is related to the verb taḥadduth (to speak/narrate). The meaning is: The narration of its news (the earth's shaking) is due to your Lord inspiring it.

The Second Question: Why did He not say awḥā ilayhā (inspired to it) instead of awḥā lahā (inspired for it/to it)?

The Answer: There are two perspectives on this:

1. The First View: Abu 'Ubaydah said that {أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا} means awḥā ilayhā (inspired to it). He cited the verse by Al-'Ajjāj:

   (He inspired the foundation [stability] for it, so it settled.)

2. The Second View: Perhaps He said lahā (for it) because We did that for its sake (i.e., for the sake of the Earth), so that the Earth might use that inspiration as a means to seek retribution against the disobedient ones.

Surah Az-Zalzalah (99): Verse 6

{يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ} (That Day, people will emerge in groups [or scattered] to be shown their deeds.)