Surah 101
(The Calamity)
(Makkan Period)
Title
The opening word al-Qari'ah (the calamity) constitutes this Sürah's title and underscores its theme in that it deals only with the Last Day.
Period of Revelation
This is definitely an early Makkan Surah.
Subject Matter and Themes
The Last Day and the Hereafter are the Surah's main concerns. It opens with a shocking announcement about the calamity. Having prepared listeners/readers mentally, it conjures up the spectacle of the Last Day - how people will scatter in panic like moths and how mountains will float like fluffs of carded wool. Each person will be adjudged on the basis of his deeds, which will be weighed on a scale. Those whose scales weigh heavier will have a blissful life whereas those whose scales weigh lighter will be thrown into the pit of blazing fire.