Surah At-Tur 52:10
سُورَةُ الطُّورِ · Meccan · Verse 10 of 49
وَتَسِيرُ ٱلْجِبَالُ سَيْرًۭا
Translation
and the mountains float away.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Quran in Surah At-Tur continues its powerful description of the Day of Judgment, a day when Allah's promised punishment will certainly occur. Verse 10 paints a vivid picture of this momentous event, declaring, "وَتَسِيرُ ٱلْجِبَالُ سَيْرًۭا" – "And the mountains will move, moving."
A Day of Movement
This verse describes a profound transformation. The mountains, which we see as immovable symbols of stability on Earth, will lose their steadfastness. The Arabic verb "تسير" (taseer) means "they will move" or "they will travel," indicating a drastic change from their current state. Al-Jalalayn's tafsir notes that they will become "scattered dust," highlighting the ultimate outcome of this movement.
The Power of Wording
The Quran uses a specific grammatical construction here that enhances the meaning significantly. After the verb "تسير" (they will move), it adds the verbal noun "سَيْرًۭا" (sayran), meaning "a movement" or "moving." This is a form of emphasis common in Arabic, known as a *maf'ul mutlaq*. As Ibn Ashur, a renowned scholar, explains, this specific wording serves to "remove any possibility of metaphor." It tells us that this will be a real, undeniable movement, not merely a symbolic or figurative one. The mountains will truly move, in a tangible, actual way. It's not just that they *might* move, but they *will* move, a genuine and complete movement.
Reflecting on Reality
This emphasis on the reality of the mountains' movement is crucial. It underscores the absolute certainty and immense power of the Day of Judgment. When something as solid and permanent as mountains begins to move and dissolve, it signifies the complete upheaval of all known reality. For us, this wording eliminates any room for doubt or playful interpretation. It is a direct and unembellished statement from Allah, inviting us to contemplate the sheer magnitude of His power and the inevitable reality of that Day. It urges us to prepare for a day when even the most steadfast elements of our world will be utterly transformed.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah At-Tur 52:10 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah At-Tur 52:10 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.