๏ When the earth shakes its convulsion, (1) and the earth expels its burdens, (2) the people – al-insān – say, “What is with it?” (3) That day it narrates its news, (4) because your lord inspired it. (5) That day the people – al-nās – exude, scattered, to be shown their deeds. (6) So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. (7) And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. (8) ๏

— al-zalzalat, 99/1-8

The word yaṣduru (ṣād-dāl-rā) in verse 6 is a verb related to the word ṣadr meaning breast. One of its usages then is to describe something proceeding from within, from the chest. People experience the earth, al-arḍ, as a safe place, the way feelings and emotions reside in the chest. But there will come a day where the earth exudes all; who is responsible for what will be laid bare.

Huge social changes which cause shakes in the earth – revolutions – are not planned. People question why the status quo is challenged, why unrest happens, but it is from divine inspiration.

The reason violent shakes in society happen is because of severe transgressions and causing injury to one another.

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