Surah Al-Qiyamah, The Resurrection

Surah 75 · 40 verses · revealed at Mecca

Al-Qiyamah opens with an oath by the day of resurrection and, immediately after, by the self-reproaching soul — the conscience that will not leave a person alone.

Its argument against those who doubted the resurrection is physical and slightly startling. Does a person think We shall not gather his bones. Yes indeed, We are able to put his fingertips back in order. The detail chosen is the smallest and most particular part of the body, and the choice has been noticed by every generation of readers.

In the middle the surah interrupts itself to tell the Prophet not to move his tongue in haste to repeat the revelation, and that gathering it and its recitation are not his responsibility. Reports say he had been trying to memorise as he received it, out of fear of losing a word.

It then describes two kinds of faces on that day: some radiant, looking towards their Lord, and others darkened, knowing that something breaking is about to be done to them.

Its last verses follow a dying man — the moment when the collarbones come together, when those around him ask who can cure him, and when he knows it is the parting. The surah ends by asking whether a man thinks he will be left without purpose, and reminding him what he was a short while before.

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