Surah Al-Qariah – Meaning and Transliteration

Surah Al-Qariah, or the Calamity, is the 101^st chapter of the Holy Quran.  It has 11 verses located in the 30^th juz of the Quran.  It was revealed in Makkah before the migration.  The surah follows on from surah Adiyat by speaking about the day of judgment and warnings about it.

• Day of Judgment: What the Quran says about the end of times

Meaning of Surah Qariah

Al-Qariah is one of the names of the Day of Judgment, like Al-Haqqah.  The name is derived from when two things are collided together with such a force that a loud blasting sound is produced which scares and disturbs the hearer.

Surah
Name	Al Qariah
Meaning	The Calamity
Number of Verses	11
Place of Revelation	Makkah
Chapter Number	101

The surah talks about the Day of Resurrection and the scene of humanity like scattered moths, hurrying from here to there without direction.  It is a scene of chaos and confusion.  You will see the mountains that are usually solid and firm in their place, floating like cotton wool.

• Sacred mountains in the Quran

The surah also talks about the condition of the people on that day, and how they will be judged according to the weight of their good deeds, measured on scales.  Those whose scales are heavy, i.e. with many good deeds will be successful and lead a life of bliss. 

But the ones whose scales are light, with few good deeds and many sins, their refuge will be the abyss of the fire.  The refuge of the sinful is the raging fire, intensely hot.

Transliteration of Surah Qariah

1. Al qaari’ah
2. Mal qaariah
3. Wa maa adraaka mal qaari’ah
4. Yauma ya koonun naasu kal farashil mabthooth
5. Wa ta koonul jibalu kal ‘ihnil manfoosh
6. Fa-amma man thaqulat mawa zeenuh
7. Fahuwa fee ‘ishatir raadiyah
8. Wa amma man khaffat mawa zeenuh
9. Fa-ummuhu haawiyah
10. Wa maa adraaka maa hiyah
11. Naarun hamiyah

Surah Al-Qariah Translation

1. The (Day) of Noise and Clamour:
2. What is the (Day) of Noise and Clamour?
3. And what will explain to thee what the (Day) of Noise and Clamour is?
4. (It is) a Day whereon men will be like moths scattered about,
5. And the mountains will be like carded wool.
6. Then, he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) heavy,
7. Will be in a life of good pleasure and satisfaction.
8. But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) light,-
9. Will have his home in a (bottomless) Pit.
10. And what will explain to thee what this is?
11. (It is) a Fire Blazing fiercely!