Makkah LiveSurah Az-Zalzalah (The Earthquake) — Full Text in Clear Arabic Script
8 ayahs · Medinan· Hafs ‘an ‘Asim · reading time ~1 minute · the twenty-second surah of Juz ‘Amma
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By Saad Al-Ghamdi
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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
About Surah Az-Zalzalah
Surah Az-Zalzalah is the 99th surah in the order of the mushaf, and one of the Medinan surahs — revealed to the Prophet ﷺ after the migration to Madinah. It contains 8 ayahs, and it is the twenty-second surah of Juz ‘Amma, the final part of the Quran that most Muslims begin their memorisation with.
The surah takes its name from its opening scene — «idha zulzilat al-ardu zilzalaha» (“when the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake”) — describing the earth discharging its burdens as mankind cries out in astonishment, “What is the matter with it?” On that Day the earth will report its news, because your Lord has inspired it to do so. The surah then closes with mankind proceeding forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds, and the decisive statement that whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
The text shown on this page is the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, the reading used in most of the Muslim world, in the Uthmani script that follows the Madinah mushaf. The audio recitation is by Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi.
Virtues and place of Surah Az-Zalzalah
1. “The unique, comprehensive verse”
In Sahih al-Bukhari, when the Prophet ﷺ was asked about donkeys — whether there was reward or sin in them — he replied that nothing had been revealed to him concerning them except this unique, comprehensive verse: “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 surah’s closing verses stood as a complete statement covering every deed.
2. No deed is too small to matter
The surah’s teaching that even an atom’s weight of good or evil will be shown to its doer is the foundation of Muslim conscientiousness in small things — a smile, a kind word, a moment of neglect, none of it is beneath account. It trains the heart to take every act seriously, however slight it may seem.
3. The awe of the earth’s own testimony
The surah gives voice to the earth itself, discharging its burdens and reporting its news by its Lord’s command. It is a vivid, sobering image: the very ground a person walks upon will one Day bear witness to everything done upon it.
Themes of the Surah
1. The earth tells its news (ayahs 1–5)
The surah opens with the earth shaken by its final earthquake, discharging its burdens, as mankind cries out in astonishment, “What is the matter with it?” On that Day the earth will report its news, because your Lord has inspired it to do so.
Read from ayah 1 →2. An atom’s weight (ayahs 6–8)
On that Day mankind will proceed forth 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.
Read from ayah 6 →Tips for reading and memorising
- With just 8 ayahs, it can be memorised in a single sitting or two.
- Listen to the recitation above by Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi and repeat after him.
- Reflect on the meaning of “an atom’s weight” as you recite ayahs 7–8, and let it shape your everyday choices.
- Recall the Prophet ﷺ’s description of ayahs 7–8 as “the unique, comprehensive verse” whenever you recite them.
- Picture the scene of the earth discharging its burdens and reporting its news as you read ayahs 1–5.
- Use the “font size” buttons at the top of the page for a comfortable read, or print via Ctrl+P.
Frequently asked questions
How many ayahs are in Surah Az-Zalzalah?
Surah Az-Zalzalah has 8 ayahs. It is the 99th surah in the order of the mushaf, and it is a Medinan surah.
Why is it called Surah Az-Zalzalah?
It is called Surah Az-Zalzalah (“The Earthquake”) after its opening words — «idha zulzilat al-ardu zilzalaha» — “when the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake.”
Is Surah Az-Zalzalah Meccan or Medinan?
Surah Az-Zalzalah is classified as a Medinan surah in the standard mushaf — revealed to the Prophet ﷺ after the migration to Madinah.
What is Surah Az-Zalzalah’s place in Juz ‘Amma?
Surah Az-Zalzalah is the twenty-second surah of Juz ‘Amma — the 30th and final juz of the Quran.
What “news” will the earth report on that Day?
On that Day the earth will report its news — commentators explain that it will testify to everything that was done upon its surface, good and evil, because your Lord has inspired it to do so.
What does “an atom’s weight” (mithqal dharrah) mean?
«Mithqal dharrah» refers to the weight of a single atom — the smallest conceivable amount — used in ayahs 7–8 to teach that no deed, however tiny, is overlooked.
What is the hadith about donkeys connected to this surah?
In Sahih al-Bukhari, when the Prophet ﷺ was asked whether there was reward or sin in donkeys, he replied that nothing had been revealed to him about them except this unique, comprehensive verse: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
What is the main message of Surah Az-Zalzalah?
That no deed is too small to matter. Every act, however slight, is recorded and will be shown to its doer on the Day the earth itself testifies to what was done upon it.
How long does it take to read Surah Az-Zalzalah?
Surah Az-Zalzalah can be read in about a minute. It is part of Juz ‘Amma — the final part of the Quran that most Muslims begin their memorisation with.
More surahs to read
- Surah Al-Fatihah — full text — Mother of the Book — recited in every rakah of every prayer
- Surah Al-Kahf — full text — recommended to read on Fridays
- Surah As-Sajdah — full text — recited in the Fajr prayer on Fridays and every night before sleep
- Surah Yasin — full text — the Heart of the Quran
- Surah Ar-Rahman — full text — the Bride of the Quran
- Surah Al-Waqi‘ah — full text — the terrors of the Day of Judgment and the three groups of people
- Surah Al-Mulk — full text — recommended every night before sleep
- Surah Al-Insan — full text — recited with As-Sajdah in the Fajr prayer on Fridays
- Surah An-Naba — full text — the first surah of Juz ‘Amma — a powerful proof of the Resurrection
- Surah An-Nazi‘at — full text — the angels who pull out souls, the story of Musa and Pharaoh, and the Great Calamity
- Surah ‘Abasa — full text — the blind man who came seeking, and the Day a man flees from his own brother
- Surah At-Takwir — full text — “when the sun is wrapped up” — as if witnessing the Day of Resurrection
- Surah Al-Infitar — full text — “O man, what has deceived you concerning your Generous Lord?”
- Surah Al-Mutaffifin — full text — woe to those who give short measure — honesty as a matter of faith
- Surah Al-Inshiqaq — full text — contains a verse of prostration — “you will surely ride stage upon stage”
- Surah Al-Buruj — full text — the People of the Ditch — steadfastness of the believers tested by fire
- Surah At-Tariq — full text — the piercing star — every soul has a keeper over it
- Surah Al-A‘la — full text — recited in the Eid and Friday prayers — “glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High”
- Surah Al-Ghashiyah — full text — recited with Al-A‘la in the Eid and Friday prayers — the two kinds of faces on the Last Day
- Surah Al-Fajr — full text — “O reassured soul, return to your Lord well-pleased”
- Surah Al-Balad — full text — the steep path — freeing the enslaved and feeding the hungry
- Surah Ash-Shams — full text — “he has succeeded who purifies the soul”
- Surah Al-Layl — full text — your striving is diverse — the path of ease and the path of hardship
- Surah Ad-Duha — full text — consolation after the pause in revelation — “your Lord has not forsaken you”
- Surah Ash-Sharh — full text — “indeed, with hardship comes ease” — the companion of Ad-Duha
- Surah At-Tin — full text — man created in the best of stature — “is not Allah the most just of judges?”
- Surah Al-‘Alaq — full text — the first revelation — “Read in the name of your Lord” — contains a verse of prostration
- Surah Al-Qadr — full text — Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Decree, better than a thousand months
- Surah Al-Bayyinah — full text — the clear evidence — the best of creation and their reward
- Surah Al-‘Adiyat — full text — the charging steeds — man’s ingratitude and the overturning of the graves
- Surah Al-Qari‘ah — full text — the Striking Calamity — the day the scales are set
- Surah At-Takathur — full text — rivalry in worldly increase — “until you visit the graves”
- Surah Al-‘Asr — full text — by time, man is in loss — the surah ash-Shafi‘i said would suffice the people
Selected verses
- Ayat al-Kursi — the greatest verse of the Holy Quran
- Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah — “whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him”
- Allah does not burden a soul — the closing verse of Surah Al-Baqarah
Listen and watch
- Saudi Quran Radio — listen to recitations of the Holy Quran
- Live broadcast of Masjid al-Haram