OWING to the rhetorical style of the first verses, this chapter has been considered by some to be Madinic, but the received opinion is that it is Makkan. It appears to be a mere fragment of a Sura.

Little can be discovered as to the date of this chapter beyond the fact that it belongs to the earliest period of Muhammad's ministry at Makkah.

The judgment-day shall be ushered in by a great, earth quake . . . 1-3
The earth shall be inspired to declare why she trembles... 4, 5
Men shall be judged according to their deeds . . . 6 -8

(1) When the earth shall be shaken by an earthquake, (2) and the earth shall cast forth her burdens; (3) and a man shall say, What aileth her? (4) On that

(1) An earthquake. "This earthquake will happen at the first, or, as others say, at the second blast of the trumpet."— Sale. See Prelirn. Disc., pp. 135, 136.

(2) Burdens. "Treasures and dead bodies within it. See chap. lxxxiv."— Sale.

day the earth shall declare her tidings, (5) for that day thy LORD will inspire her. (6) On that day men shall go forward in distinct classes, that they may behold their works. (7) And whoever shall have wrought good of the weight of an ant, shall behold the same. (8) And whoever shall have wrought evil of the weight of an ant, shall behold the same.

(5) Will inspire her, i.e., "will inform all creatures of the occasion of her trembling, and casting forth her treasures and her dead, by the circumstances which shall immediately attend them. Some say the earth will, at the last day, be miraculously enabled to speak, and will give evidence of the actions of her inhabitants."— Sale. See also Prelim. Disc., p. 143.

(7, 8) Weight of an ant. See note on chap. iv. 38, 39.

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