Reflections on Sūrat al-Qiyāma

Occasion: Transcription of a Fajr khatira delivered on 14 March 2026 Source: A transcription of a video khatira by Dr. Ahmed Abouseif — Watch the original video on YouTube

Dr. Ahmed paused at several important points in Sūrat al-Qiyāma, and mentioned that among the surahs that revolve around that Day are: al-Qiyāma, al-Ḥashr, al-Ḥāqqa, al-Qāri'a, and al-Wāqi'a. He explained that it is the Day of Resurrection, the Day of Truth, the Day of Justice, and the Day of Decision between people.

Every soul is held in pledge

Then he recited the saying of the Exalted: ﴿كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ﴾ (Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned).^[1] By "held in pledge" he understands that every servant is shackled by what he did in his life, his misdeeds and his works, and that release from this shackle is another resurrection.

And in Sūrat al-Qiyāma, Allah, glorified be He, says: ﴿لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ * وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ﴾ (I swear by the Day of Resurrection, and I swear by the self-reproaching soul).^[2] And along with it he mentioned the soul at peace.

Man is a witness against himself

Then he recited: ﴿بَلِ الْإِنسَانُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ * وَلَوْ أَلْقَىٰ مَعَاذِيرَهُ﴾ (Rather, man is a witness against himself, even if he presents his excuses).^[3] And after it: ﴿لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ * إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ * فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ * ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ﴾ (Do not move your tongue with it to hasten it. Indeed, upon Us is its collection and its recitation. So when We have recited it, follow its recitation. Then indeed, upon Us is its clarification).^[4]

He explained the context by saying that the Qur'an is the miracle of our master Muhammad ﷺ, and that he was hasty to memorize the Qur'an while Jibrīl, peace be upon him, was repeating the verses to him, so his Lord reassured him that He would have him memorize it and would clarify it for him.

Your reckoning is measured by your connection to the Qur'an

And he said: your reckoning will be measured by your ability to connect with the Great Book; if you have no connection with it, then there is for you there no ascent, no rising, no acceptance, and no standing, and according to how far you connected with it, you reach the high ranks. Glory be to the One whose speech this is!

Then he concluded with the saying of the Exalted: ﴿كَلَّا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ * وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَةَ﴾ (No! Rather, you love the fleeting life, and leave the Hereafter),^[5] and that is the resurrection for which you will rise, if you are able to free yourself from your shackles. And he said: I ask Allah, glorified and exalted, to give us insight through the Qur'an; I will not add more than that.

--- ^[1]: Editor's documentation: al-Muddaththir 38–39: ﴿كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ * إِلَّا أَصْحَابَ الْيَمِينِ﴾. In the transcript, in a side exchange, the verse's location was identified as al-Muddaththir and not al-Qiyāma; the speaker of that remark is not identified. ^[2]: Editor's documentation: al-Qiyāma 1–2. ^[3]: Editor's documentation: al-Qiyāma 14–15. ^[4]: Editor's documentation: al-Qiyāma 16–19. ^[5]: Editor's documentation: al-Qiyāma 20–21.