Surah Al-Qiyamah — Verse 25

Word Meanings:

• تَظُنُّ (tazunnu): Here it means "to be certain" or "to be convinced," not merely to doubt or speculate. In this context, it signifies absolute certainty.
• فَاقِرَةٌ (fāqirah): A calamity or disaster that breaks the spine (faqār al-ẓahr). It refers to a crushing, devastating affliction that shatters a person completely.

Explanation of the Verse:

On the Day of Resurrection, the faces of the wicked and the sinful will be gloomy, frowning, and covered with distress. These faces will be certain—not just fearful, but absolutely convinced—that a terrible calamity is about to befall them: a punishment so severe that it will break their very spines, a disaster from which there is no escape and no relief. This is not a mere worry or a passing anxiety; it is a deep, unshakable certainty that the inevitable torment of Allah is descending upon them. Their hearts will be filled with dread, and their features will betray the horror of what awaits them, as they realize that no intercessor can save them and no refuge can shield them from the wrath of their Lord.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, pause and reflect on this vivid scene. The faces of the wrongdoers on that Day will be a mirror of their deeds in this world. Every sin committed in secret, every act of disobedience done in the darkness of night, and every moment of arrogance before Allah will be etched upon those faces. But Allah, in His infinite mercy, has sent you this warning now—not to frighten you into despair, but to awaken your heart before it is too late. The door of repentance is open, and His mercy encompasses all things. Turn to Him today, seek His forgiveness, and let your face shine with the light of faith and obedience, so that on that Day, you may be among those whose faces are radiant, joyful, and at peace. Indeed, the Qur'an is a guide and a mercy for those who believe—so seize this opportunity, and let this verse be a turning point in your life toward righteousness and devotion to your Lord.