THE name given to the judgment-day, which is made the title of this chapter, is translated "smiting" by Palmer and "blow" by Rodwell. It describes or designates the great day of assizes, not because it will "strike the hearts of all creatures with terror," as Sale has it, but because on that day the wicked will receive the stroke of justice from an angry God.

All authorities regard this chapter as of Makkan origin. Noëldeke and Muir alike assign it a place among the earliest revelations of the Quran.

The day of judgment a day of striking ... 1-5
The good and bad shall be judged according to their works... 6-9
Hawiyah described . . . 10, 11

(1) The striking! (2) What is the striking? (3) And what shall make thee to understand how terrible the

(1) The striking, &c. Savary translates beautifully thus, "Day of calamities ! terrible day ! Who is able to depict it unto thee? In that day men shall be like unto scattered locusts."

striking will be? (4) On that day men shall be like moths scattered abroad, (5) and the mountains shall become like carded wool of various colours driven by the wind. (6) Moreover, he whose balance shall be heavy with good works, (7) shall lead a pleasing life: (8) but as to him whose balance shall be light, (9) his dwelling shall be the pit of hell. (10) What shall make thee to understand how frightful the pit of hell is? (11) It is a burning fire.

(9) Pit of hell. "The original word, Hawiyah, is the name of the lowest dungeon of hell, and probably signifies a deep pit or gulf."— Sale.

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