Surah Al Takwir , 81

Recitation by qari  Shaykh Abdul Basit ,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hitpQoQy6X8

The surah lists twelve cataclasmic events that will accompany the resurrection and the advent of the Day of Judgment.

1. " When the sun is overthrown, "[1], and its light and the energy disappear and dakness engulfs the   

     world.

2. " And when the stars fall," (2), and are scattered aimlessly in space.

3. " And when the hills are moved," (3), and broken into pieces and strewn as dust.

4. " And when the camels big with young are abandoned, "(4), with no one to care for them.

5. " And when twild beasts are herded together," (5), from their remote habitat.

6. " And when the seas rise, " (6), overflowing the land and sweeping away everything in their path.

7. " And when souls are reunited, "(7) and returned to their respective bodies.

8. " And when the girl-child that was buried alive is asked (8) For what sin she was slain," (9), the

     questioning begins.

9. " And when the pages are laid open, (10] and every human being is presented with his or her life

       history   

10" And when the sky is torn away, "(11) , and completely transformed.

11" And when Hell is lighted, "(12) , ready to engulf the evil-doers.

12"  And when the garden is brought nigh," (13], to the believers with all its luxury and opulence.

That will be the time when: " (Then) every soul will know what it hath made ready. "(14). The verse list briefly the precursors for universal resurrection and the fate awaiting every human being.

Despite the fact that the earth is one of the smallest planets in the solar system, and the solar system itself represents but a tiny part of the universe, mankind is afforded the highest status and respect in the God's estimation. Nevertheless, man's response to God;s message and his relationship with the Almighthy is often faltering and inconsistent

In this surah, God calls for the galaxies and stars as witnesses to the validity of the Qur'an and the integrity of Muhammad's mission as guidance to all mankind and a mercy from God. It says:

"Oh, but I call to witness the planets, (15) The stars which rise and set, (16) And the close of night, (17) And the breath of morning (18) That this is in truth the word of an honoured messenger, "(19)

The majesty of the physical world is evidence of the eminence of revelation, both of which are signs of God's existence and power. The recitation of the Qur'an moves the human heart and brings one into harmony with the rest of the world, and puts all creation in direct contact with God Almighthy.

The surah mentions the Archangel Gibriel, sometimes referred to in the Qur'an as Ruh al- Quds, ointing out that he is greatly favoured and most highly trusted by God: " Mighty, established in the presence of the Lord of the Throne, (20) (One) to be obeyed, and trustworthy; " (21) 

It was Gibriel who conveyed God's revelation to Muhammad who received it and relayed it to mankind fait hfully. Muhammad thoroughly absorbed the teachings and the spirit of the Qur'an, reflected them in his person and behaviour, and strove hard against all odds to translate them into reality and establish them as a basis for a civilization that has spread to all corners of the globe and left its  indelible mark on the history of mankind.

Despite it being among the earliest Qur'anic revelations, this surah very clearly establishes the universality of the message of Islam. It castigates Islam's detractors in Makkah, saying:

" Whither then go ye? (26) This is naught else than a reminder unto creation, (27) Unto whomsoever of you willeth to walk straight." (28) 

Man's duty is to make the effort. Everyone will be rewarded according to what he or she has done.

Muhammad al-Ghazali [ 1917-1996 ]
Exceprt from 'A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an '




Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Navaid Aziz,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzTpK5UVf7g 



Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Nouman Ali Khan ,
Part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1_YY-z3bJc
Part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNNvYqPcPVg&feature=relmfu





' Be humble. '.....Shaykh Hamza Yusoff Hanson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZdQJ2D8364