Surah Al-Haqqah 69:15
سُورَةُ الحَاقَّةِ · Meccan · Verse 15 of 52
فَيَوْمَئِذٍۢ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ
Translation
on that Day the Great Event will come to pass.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Day of Certainty
The verse, "فَيَوْمَئِذٍۢ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ" (Fa-yawma'idhin waqa'atil-waqi'ah), declares, "Then, on that Day, the Inevitable Event (the Resurrection) will have occurred." This profound statement follows a vivid description of the trumpet blast, the earth and mountains being lifted and crushed. It sets the scene for the ultimate upheaval of the world. Allah Himself is speaking directly here, addressing all of humanity, describing the immediate, terrifying aftermath of these universal cataclysms. The tone is one of solemn warning and absolute certainty regarding what is to come.
The Power of "Then, on that Day"
The opening phrase, "فَيَوْمَئِذٍ" (Fa-yawma'idhin), carries significant weight. The particle "فَ" (fa) means "then" or "so," indicating an immediate consequence of the preceding events. The phrase "يَوْمَئِذٍ" (yawma'idhin), meaning "on that day," is repeated several times in this section of the Surah. As Ibn Ashur points out, this repetition serves to amplify the terror and magnitude of that specific time. The "تنوين" (tanween), the double vowel mark at the end of "يَوْمَئِذٍ", is a powerful linguistic device. It acts as a concise summary for all the preceding descriptions of the trumpet blowing, and the shattering of the earth and mountains. It is as if to say, "Then, *after all the terrifying events that have been described*, this next great event will occur." This choice of wording powerfully connects the various signs of the Hour to its ultimate, decisive manifestation.
The Certainty of "It Occurred"
The Quran's choice of the past tense verb "وَقَعَتْ" (waqa'at), meaning "it occurred" or "it happened," is particularly striking. Even though the Day of Judgment is a future event, the Quran uses the past tense to convey its absolute certainty, as if it has already taken place. Ibn Ashur explains that this usage emphasizes its "تَحْقِيقِ حُصُولِهِ" (its sure realization). It is not a mere possibility; it is a fixed reality in Allah's knowledge, as good as already done. This linguistic nuance eliminates any doubt about its eventual, unavoidable arrival.
The Weight of "The Inevitable Event"
Finally, the explicit mention of "الْوَاقِعَةُ" (Al-Waqi'ah), rather than a pronoun, serves as a powerful reminder. "Al-Waqi'ah" literally means "the falling, the occurring, the inevitable event." Instead of simply referring back to "The Reality" (Al-Haqqah) mentioned earlier in the Surah, Allah chooses this specific noun. Ibn Ashur observes that this is "إظهار في مقام الإضمار لزيادة التهويل" (making explicit where a pronoun would suffice, to increase the sense of terror and gravity). This highlights the event's established meaning in the Quran as the Day of Resurrection, a day whose coming is certain and whose reality is undeniable. The word itself brings to mind a crushing, decisive event that leaves no room for escape or denial.
This deep dive into the specific wording invites us to reflect on the absolute certainty and immense reality of the Day of Judgment. It is not an abstract idea but an imminent and undeniable event, whose description is imbued with divine emphasis and power, underscoring its inevitability and profound impact.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
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