All of these, then, are descriptions of the horses and of their condition when they charge in the cause of Allah. In this lies clear evidence of the virtue of jihad for the sake of Allah and of mounting horses for that purpose. Allah, the Exalted, says: “And prepare against them whatever force you can, and tethered horses, whereby you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy” (al-Anfāl 8:60).

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Exegesis of Sura al-Qāriʿah

Question: What is the meaning of Allah’s words, “Al-Qāriʿah! What is al-Qāriʿah? And what will make you know what al-Qāriʿah is?” (al-Qāriʿah 1–3) up to the end of the sura?

Answer: Al-Qāriʿah refers to the Day of Resurrection. It is called al-Qāriʿah (the Striking Calamity) because its terrors strike the ears. This is one of its many names; it is also called aṣ-Ṣākhkhah, aṭ-Ṭāmmah al-Kubrā, as-Sāʿah, al-Ḥāqqah, and others—names that befit a tremendous day, a day of awe-inspiring horrors.

His words, “Al-Qāriʿah! What is al-Qāriʿah?” are repeated to magnify the gravity of that Day and to draw attention to the terrors that will unfold, so that the Muslim may be prepared to face it. He then explains this by saying, “On the Day when people will be like scattered moths, and the mountains like fluffed wool” (al-Qāriʿah 4–5). Here He describes the gathering of all creatures and the transformation of the created order, to the point that the mighty, steadfast mountains dissolve and become like carded wool—softened and melted after once being solid, strong, and hard. Thereafter He, exalted is He, makes clear that humanity will be divided into two groups: the blessed and the wretched.