Learning from Surah Al-Waqi’ah

The Qur’an as a book of guidance requires training and study to understand. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides lessons from Surah Al-Waqi’ah (56 The Inevitable) with context to help understand and be guided by Allah’s Words. 

Allah provides humanity the power of reason. Arrogance is failing to recognize this or rejecting it in favor of relying on anything other than Allah. Scientists, in their zeal and excitement of discovery, have at times rejected God. Time and reason, however, have shown the truth of recognizing and bringing God clearly into the equation of discovery, science and creation. 

Surah Al-Waqi’ah begins referencing the Day of Judgment. Science correlates this with the trajectory of the sun inevitably crashing into another solar system. As such, science verifies the temporary nature of this world. Science also has discovered the fact that Yellowstone, the famous national park, is sitting on an eventual eruption, which is overdue. Muslims are not overly concerned about such calamities, given the confidence Allah provides believers. Among the series of events prior to the Day of Judgment, Brother Michael explains, is that believers will have their souls removed before the melee of endtimes. 

Verses 1 – 14 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah describe three categories of people on the Day of Judgment: those who will have ease, those who are believers and righteous and those who have earned Allah’s Displeasure. This last category sadly partakes in excess, extravagance, insists and persists with sins, questioning the Day of Judgment.  

In verses 57 – 74, Allah reminds of His Design, illustrating how His Creation clearly provides proper order, with examples of seeds growing and wood provided for fire. Science corroborates this with processes such as photosynthesis and heat energy created from fires in combustion.  

In verses 77 – 82, Allah attests to the Guidance in His Book and asks what are you doing with your life? We can choose which of the three categories we’ll fall into on the Day of Judgment. Brother Michael explains the surah concludes that winners are those who are righteous, care for others, and strive to assist others. Allah says these will be few; and it is up to each of us, given the only creatures endowed with reason, to seek His Guidance and how we chart the course of our eternal destination.