Unavoidable Catastrophe إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلۡوَاقِعَةُ ١ When the Inevitable Event takes place, (Al-Waqiah, 56:1) لَيۡسَ لِوَقۡعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ ٢ then no one can deny it has come. (Al-Waqiah, 56:2) خَافِضَةٞ رَّافِعَةٌ ٣ It will debase ˹some˺ and elevate ˹others˺.1(Al-Waqiah, 56:3) Al-Waqiah is one of the names of the Hereafter. It describes the Hereafter as an event that is bound to happen without any change, and the calamity it brings will strike hard on those alive at that time. The first verse of Surah Al-Waqiah is an incomplete sentence. 'When an inevitable incident took place!' It captures the attention of everyone who hears this verse, urging them to focus on its subsequent messages. This verse suggests that the incident is crucial, a big event that brings significant change in our lives. The way it is introduced seems to tell us that it is a well-known one. Perhaps the account of the incident has been circulated generation after generation, and when it finally happens, everyone will recognize it as THE incident. Hence, the second verse describes the effect of Al-Waqiah. When it happens, no one can negate it. Sometimes, when something bad happens, there are people who are in denial of its existence and attribute it to a bad dream, AI-generated visuals, etc. Those who don’t deny its advent will try to prevent it from happening or slow down its impact by making thorough preparations. But Allah describes the doomsday as Al-Waqiah, which means that no disaster in this world can compare to it. It will strike hard, and the effects are permanent. It can neither be prevented nor can the effect be minimized. There are many major disasters that occurred around us. These incidents caused significant changes in our lives. One particular event is the major tsunami in 2004. I remember watching the video recording of the tsunami. I can still remember the terror I felt that time. It was as if an impending doom were heading towards me. For someone who didn’t personally experience the situation, I could feel the intensity of the fright and terror. What can we say about the survivors of the tsunami waves? I would imagine that they went through a devastating experience that caused significant phobia in their lives. Perhaps many years later, those who did not live through the event may argue that the footage of the tsunami is staged or a result of artificial intelligence. Those who believe that a tsunami is coming may prepare for a life-saving suit or a vault for shelter when it does occur. But Judgment Day is a day of universal destruction with no one able to escape it. No one will be able to survive it and be able to tell its tale to generations to come. There will be no denying its coming. Al-Waqiah is the final judgment for all humanity. It is the day that will lower the status of some of us and raise the others. There are many injustices that go unchecked, and those who committed wrongdoings walked freely on Earth without any care despite causing grievous harm to others. The consequences of their wrongdoings impacted the innocent heavily, and they bear the scars of their transgressions. Therefore, Judgment Day offers solace to those who have been emotionally wounded. Their sufferings and misery will not go unnoticed; rather, they are under the scrutiny of the All-Seeing and the Judge who rules Judgment Day. Those criminals who seemingly have a high status during this life will be humiliated like how they humiliate others in this life, while those innocent beings that suffer injustice will be honoured for their patience, perseverance, and faith in Allah and the Hereafter. With all the destruction that happens in the universe, it marks the beginning of a new life—an everlasting life. During Al-Waqiah, all the systems in this life will undergo a radical transformation. I really like how my teacher rephrases a description of verse 3 by Islahi: 'It is a great rebalancing with the coming of a new system.' Knowing that Al-Waqiah is coming and it will strike hard, I pray that I won’t be able to witness it. Death is preferable to facing the doomsday. I would rather prepare for a blessed ending to my life, husnul khatimah, and to enjoy the bounties in Paradise. قَالَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ '‏ مِنْ شِرَارِ النَّاسِ مَنْ تُدْرِكُهُمُ السَّاعَةُ وَهُمْ أَحْيَاءٌ ‏'‏‏.‏ Ibn Mas`ud added: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying; (It will be) from among the most wicked people who will be living at the time when the Hour will be established.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 7067) The belief in Judgment Day is enough to make believers strive hard in this life to get the bounties of the Hereafter. There are only two outcomes: everlasting bounties and pleasures or eternal tortures. A smart person knows which one to choose and work for. Wallahu a’lam. Munirah binti Aminullah 26 Zul Hijjah 1446 H/23rd June 2025 Seremban, Malaysia.