?Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Infitar. [479] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/505; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/169.
It is also called Surat Idha As-Sama?u infatarat (When the sky breaks apart) Al-Infitar 82.
It was narrated that Ibn ?Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ?Whoever would like to view the Day of Resurrection as if he could see it with his own eyes, let him read Idha Ash-Shamsu kuwwirat? (When the sun ceases to shine) At-Takwir 81, Idha As-Sama?u infatarat (When the sky breaks apart) Al-Infitar 82 and Idha As-Sama?u inshaqqat (When the sky has split open) Al-Inshiqaq 84. [480] Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, 3333; Ahmad, 4806.
It was narrated that Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Mu?adh stood and prayed ?Isha?, making it lengthy. The Prophet (sa) said: ?Are you causing trouble, O Mu?adh? Are you causing trouble, O Mu?adh? Why don?t you recite Sabbih isma Rabbika Al-A?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A ?la 87, Wa?d-duha (By the morning brightness) Ad-Duha 93 or Idha As-Sama?u infatarat (When the sky breaks apart) Al-Infitar 82?? [481] Narrated by An-Nasa?i, 997.
Virtues and characteristics
For the one who recites this surah, it is as if he is watching the Day of Resurrection and seeing it with his own eyes, as mentioned in the hadith of Ibn ?Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) quoted above.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Infitar is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [482] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Al-Mawardi, Ibn ?Atiyyah and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 6/220; Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/418; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 19/244.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Affirming the resurrection, highlighting the terrors of the Day of Resurrection, and alerting the people to the necessity of preparing for it. [483] At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/307.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Infitar include:
Description of the terrors of the Day of Resurrection.
Some aspects of the blessings that Allah bestows upon His creation.
A person?s deeds are entrusted to the noble recording angels.
Highlighting the good fate of the righteous and the bad fate of the evildoers.
Highlighting the momentous nature of the Day of Reckoning, how intense its terror will be, how people will realise that they are powerless and helpless on that day, and that Allah (%) alone will be in control of all affairs on that Day.