Surah Az-Zalzalah, also known as “The Earthquake,” is the 99th chapter of the Quran. It describes the cataclysmic events of the Day of Judgment, focusing on the earth’s violent shaking and the revealing of its hidden burdens. Presenting this Surah alongside its rendering in the Urdu language allows for a deeper understanding of its meanings for Urdu speakers. This facilitates access to the Surah’s message for a wider audience, making its themes of accountability and divine justice more accessible. For instance, a person unfamiliar with Arabic can comprehend the implications of “when the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake” through the Urdu translation.
The importance of accessing the Surah in Urdu lies in its capacity to resonate with a larger segment of the Muslim population. Urdu serves as a primary language for many Muslims in South Asia and beyond. Providing the Surah’s translation in Urdu eliminates linguistic barriers and allows individuals to connect with its spiritual and moral guidance directly. Historically, translations of the Quran into various languages have played a pivotal role in disseminating its teachings across different cultures and communities. Urdu translations, in particular, have been instrumental in the religious education and understanding of the Quran among Urdu-speaking Muslims.