(1–8) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. When the earth is shaken with its final quaking * and the earth casts out its burdens * and the human being says, ‘What is the matter with it?’ * That Day it will recount its news * because your Lord has inspired it * That Day people will depart in scattered groups to be shown their deeds * So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it * and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
The Exalted informs us of what will occur on the Day of Resurrection: the earth will shake, tremble, and convulse until every structure and landmark upon it collapses (1). Its mountains will be crushed, its hills levelled, and it will become a flat, level plain with neither dip nor rise.
“And the earth casts out its burdens”—that is, whatever lies within it, including the dead and buried treasures.
“And the human being says,” upon seeing the tremendous event that has overtaken it and being overwhelmed by its enormity, “What is the matter with it?” That is: What has happened to it?
“That Day it will recount”—the earth—“its news.” That is, it will testify against those who acted upon its surface, reporting the good and evil they committed. The earth is among the witnesses who will testify concerning the servants and their deeds. This is “because your Lord has inspired it”—[that is], commanded it—to report what was done upon it, and it will not disobey His command (2).
“That Day people will depart” from the gathering place of the Resurrection, after Allah has judged between them, “in scattered groups”—that is, in separate groups of differing ranks—“to be shown their deeds.” That is, Allah will show them the good and evil deeds they committed and their full recompense.
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” This is comprehensive and universal, encompassing every good and evil deed. For if a person sees an atom’s weight—which is among the most insignificant of things—and [is recompensed for it], then this necessarily applies with even greater reason to anything beyond it. As the Exalted says: “On the Day when every soul will find present whatever good it has done, and whatever evil it has done, it will wish that there were a vast distance between itself and that evil.” And: “They will find all that they did present before them.”
This verse contains the strongest encouragement to do good, even if it is little, and the strongest warning against doing evil, even if it appears insignificant.
Commentary on Sūrat al-Ādiyāt
It is Meccan.