Tafsir of Az-Zalzala 99:6

Surah Az-Zalzalah (99): Verse 6

His saying, the Exalted: {That Day, people will depart [from their graves] in groups, to be shown their deeds.}

• Al-Ṣudūr (departing/issuing forth) is the opposite of Al-Wurūd (arriving).
• Thus, the arriving is the coming, and the departing is the turning away or leaving.
• Ashtātan (in groups/scattered) means separated.

There are two possibilities for the meaning of their departure:

1. They will be brought forth from the earth, and then depart from the earth to the plain of the Resurrection.
2. They will arrive at the plain of the Resurrection for accountability, and then depart from it to the place of reward or punishment.

The phrase {Ashtātan} seems closer to the first meaning, while the word Ṣudūr is closer to the second. The phrase {Liyaraw a‘mālahum} (to be shown their deeds) is closer to the first meaning because seeing their deeds written in the scrolls is more literal than seeing the recompense of the deeds, although it can also be interpreted as seeing the recompense.

Regarding {Ashtātan}, there are several interpretations:

1. Some go forth to the standing place (Mawqif) riding, with radiant faces and fine garments, while a caller announces before them: "This is the friend of Allah!" Others are brought forth with blackened faces, barefoot, naked, bound in chains and shackles, while a caller announces before them: "This is the enemy of Allah!"
2. Ashtātan means every group with its like: the Jew with the Jew, and the Christian with the Christian.
3. Ashtātan means from all corners of the earth, from every direction.

Then, the Almighty mentioned the purpose, saying: {Liyaraw a‘mālahum} (to be shown their deeds).

• Some commentators said: To see the scrolls of their deeds, because the writing is placed before a person, and he is asked, "Do you see this? This is your divorce, and this is your sale." The visible thing is the book itself.
• Others said: To see the recompense of their deeds, which is Paradise or the Fire. The name of the deed is applied to the recompense because the recompense is in accordance with the deed, as if it were the deed itself, or perhaps the metaphorical application is more fitting than the literal one in this context.
• In the recitation of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it is read as {Liyaraw} with the fatḥa (on the lām).

**{So whoever does an atom's weight of good, he will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil, he will see it.}*