The Surah delivers a powerful and clear statement emphasizing that Allah is serious about His punishment for those who reject His message and deviate from His path. To underline this, Allah provides several historical examples of His divine justice, illustrating how disbelieving nations were destroyed.

The Surah begins by addressing the idolaters of Mecca, who demanded a physical sign from the Prophet (PBUH) similar to those given to previous messengers. When Allah granted them such a sign—the splitting of the moon before their very eyes—they persisted in their rejection. Consequently, Allah directs them to reflect on the fate of past nations and warns them of the impending Day of Judgment, when they will face a terrifying and inevitable fate.

ٱقۡتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلۡقَمَرُ (١) وَإِن يَرَوۡاْ ءَايَةً۬ يُعۡرِضُواْ وَيَقُولُواْ سِحۡرٌ۬ مُّسۡتَمِرٌّ۬ (٢) وَڪَذَّبُواْ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَڪُلُّ أَمۡرٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِرٌّ۬ (٣) وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَنۢبَآءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزۡدَجَرٌ (٤) حِڪۡمَةُۢ بَـٰلِغَةٌ۬‌ۖ فَمَا تُغۡنِ ٱلنُّذُرُ (٥) فَتَوَلَّ عَنۡهُمۡ‌ۘ يَوۡمَ يَدۡعُ ٱلدَّاعِ إِلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ نُّڪُرٍ (٦) خُشَّعًا أَبۡصَـٰرُهُمۡ يَخۡرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَجۡدَاثِ كَأَنَّہُمۡ جَرَادٌ۬ مُّنتَشِرٌ۬ (٧) مُّهۡطِعِينَ إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ‌ۖ يَقُولُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ هَـٰذَا يَوۡمٌ عَسِرٌ۬ (٨) ۞

“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split. (1) But if they see a sign, they turn away and say, “This is continuous magic.” (2) They denied and followed their own desires. Yet every matter will be settled. (3) And there certainly came to them news containing enough to deter them, [Perfect] wisdom—but the warnings do not benefit them. (4)  So. turn away from them. On the Day the Caller will call them to something dreadful, (6) Their eyes humbled, they will emerge from the graves as if they were swarming locusts. (7) Rushing toward the Caller. The disbelievers will say, “This is a difficult Day.” (54:1-8)

The miracle of the moon splitting remains a topic awaiting confirmation through scientific evidence, as current perspectives suggest that the moon was never split into two and then reassembled. I hope this inspires young Muslims to develop the necessary technology to explore the moon and uncover this truth, rather than waiting for Western scientists to make the discovery, only for us to later claim that the Quran revealed this over 1,400 years ago.

Following this introduction addressing the people of Mecca, the Surah goes on to describe the fate of five nations that rejected Allah’s message to them. These are the people of Noah (قوم نوح), the people of ‘Ad (قوم عاد), the people of Thamud (قوم ثمود), the people of Lot (قوم لوط), and the followers of Pharaoh (آل فرعون), all of whom rejected Allah’s message and faced the consequences of their disbelief.

كَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوحٍ۬ فَكَذَّبُواْ عَبۡدَنَا وَقَالُواْ مَجۡنُونٌ۬ وَٱزۡدُجِرَ (٩)

Before those who now reject prophet, Muhammad, were the people of Noah who denied (the truth), and called it a lie and said: “A madman,” and he was threatened (by them). (54:9)

كَذَّبَتۡ عَادٌ۬ فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ (١٨)

‘Aad denied; and how [severe] were My punishment and My warning that they disregarded. (54:18)

كَذَّبَتۡ ثَمُودُ بِٱلنُّذُرِ (٢٣)

Thamud denied the warning. (54:23)

كَذَّبَتۡ قَوۡمُ لُوطِۭ بِٱلنُّذُرِ (٣٣)

The people of Lut denied the warning. (54:33)

وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَ ءَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ٱلنُّذُرُ (٤١) كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا كُلِّهَا فَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَخۡذَ عَزِيزٍ۬ مُّقۡتَدِرٍ (٤٢)

And there certainly came to the people of Pharaoh warning. (41) They denied all Our signs, so We seized them with a seizure of one Exalted in Might and Perfect in Ability. (54:41-42)

The Surah details the various forms of punishment inflicted on each nation, Illustrating the variety of means that Alah used, the full extent of which is known only to Him. The people of Noah (قوم نوح) were destroyed by major flood, with water pouring down from the sky and gushing forth from the earth.

فَفَتَحۡنَآ أَبۡوَٲبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ۬ مُّنۡہَمِرٍ۬ (١١) وَفَجَّرۡنَا ٱلۡأَرۡضَ عُيُونً۬ا فَٱلۡتَقَى ٱلۡمَآءُ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡرٍ۬ قَدۡ قُدِرَ (١٢)

“We opened the gates of the sky to torrential water. And We made the earth to erupt forth with springs, so the waters met for a Command already determined.” (54:11-12).

The people of ‘Ad (قوم عاد) were destroyed by violent tornado-like winds (رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا), characterized by extreme intensity and devastating force.

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ رِيحً۬ا صَرۡصَرً۬ا فِى يَوۡمِ نَحۡسٍ۬ مُّسۡتَمِرٍّ۬ (١٩)

“We sent against them a thundering wind in a day of unrelenting misfortune.” (54:19).

The people of Thamud (قوم ثمود) were annihilated by a powerful acoustic wave, likely involving an intense and destructive sound energy phenomenon.

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَيۡحَةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَكَانُواْ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلۡمُحۡتَظِرِ (٣١)

“We sent against them one acoustic blast; so, they became like a dry stalks of a hedge-builder.” (54:30)

The people of Lot (قوم لوط) were destroyed by a storm of pelting debris (حَاصِبًا), likely involving a barrage of stones or other projectiles propelled with destructive force.

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حَاصِبًا … (٣٤)

We sent upon them a storm of lethal pellets.” (54:34)

The followers of the Pharaoh (آل فرعون) were destroyed by drowning.

After recounting the stories of the people of Noah, ‘Ad, Thamud, and Lot, Allah concludes by emphasizing that the message of the Quran is clear and accessible to those who are sincere and willing to reflect:

وَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ۬ (٤٠) (٣٢) (٢٢)  (١٧)

And We have certainly made the Quran easy to understand. So, is there anyone who will be mindful? (54:17, 22, 32 and 40)

Following these accounts, a direct warning is issued to the people of Mecca and to others who reject the message, presented in the form of a rhetorical question:

أَكُفَّارُكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكُمۡ أَمۡ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ۬ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ (٤٣)

Are your disbelievers better than all the aforesaid (punished people), or do have you immunity in the scripture? (54:43)

Allah then warns them of what awaits in the Hereafter, stressing that every action will have its consequence:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ وَسُعُرٍ۬ (٤٧) يَوۡمَ يُسۡحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمۡ ذُوقُواْ مَسَّ سَقَرَ (٤٨)

Indeed, the wicked are in error and madness. (47) On the Day when they will be dragged into the Fire on their faces, ˹they will be told, “Taste the touch of Hell!” (54:47-48)

وَكُلُّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَعَلُوهُ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ (٥٢) وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ۬ وَكَبِيرٍ۬ مُّسۡتَطَرٌ (٥٣)

And everything they did is written records. (52) And every small and big deed is written down. (54:52-53)

 After detailing the destruction of previous nations and the judgment awaiting the disbelievers, Allah concludes the Surah with glad tidings for those who have Taqwa:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَنَہَرٍ۬ (٥٤) فِى مَقۡعَدِ صِدۡقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ۬ مُّقۡتَدِرِۭ (٥٥)

Indeed, those who have Taqwa will be among gardens and rivers, (54) In a seat of honor near the Omnipotent, Sovereign. (54:54-55)

Note: There exists a profound verse in the Surah that could inspire volumes of scholarly works:

إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ۬ (٤٩)

“Indeed, We have created everything with predetermined measure.” (53:49)

The term بِقَدَرٍ (“by predetermined measure”) serves as a compelling testament to Allah’s existence, omniscience, and infinite wisdom. This concept is vividly reflected in the intricacies of the universe. When we delve into the quantities, properties, locations, and interactions of everything within creation, it becomes evident that all things are meticulously fashioned with precise measures.

Consider the Earth: its weight, size, shape, velocity, composition, gravitational forces, and its dynamic relationship with other celestial bodies. Each characteristic reveals an extraordinary balance that cannot be attributed to chance. Such precision undeniably points to the existence of a Creator who designed it all with unparalleled forethought.

Examine the diversity of life: animals, birds, plants, insects, bacteria, and viruses, each interconnected and intricately balanced with humanity. The interdependence and complexity of these ecosystems provide further evidence of an intentional and predetermined design.

Even within ourselves, the study of human biology, embryonic development, and the astonishing orchestration of our bodily systems highlights the same divine principle. Every cell, organ, and process reflect the Creator’s deliberate measure.

Indeed, dedicating an entire lifetime to exploring the world around us would only scratch the surface of the full meaning embedded in this verse. It encapsulates an infinite depth of knowledge, constantly reaffirming the precision and wisdom of the Creator.

 

Additional Comment

 The splitting of the moon is a miracle that occurred during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) in Mecca. The chiefs of Mecca demanded a miraculous sign to believe in him. When the Prophet (PBUH) asked them what they wanted, they requested that he split the moon. In response, Allah split the moon, and they saw it divided until the mountain of Hira appeared between its two parts (فأراهم القمر شقتين حتى رأوا حراء بينهما).

Despite witnessing this extraordinary event, they broke their promise to believe and instead accused the Prophet (PBUH) of performing magic. To refute their claim, it was suggested that they ask travelers who were not present at the time if they had seen the moon split. Even when the travelers confirmed witnessing the event, the chiefs still persisted in their denial.

Historically, when people demanded a physical miracle as proof of their messenger’s truthfulness, and Allah granted it, yet they continued in disbelief, Allah’s wrath would typically descend upon them.

However, in the case of the people of Mecca, Allah did not destroy them after they denied the miracle they had requested. This change is tied to the arrival of the final Messenger. With the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Allah altered the divine rule: He no longer destroys people for their rejection of signs, nor does He grant the believers victory without effort and struggle.