Talibiddeen Jr.

Quraan Based Unit Study:

(A full unit study)

Suratuz Zalzalah (99)

The purpose of this unit study is to memorize Suratul Zilzalah and understand this surah. We will also learn about earthquakes, which are an important part of this surah.

This unit includes learning activities in the following subjects: Quraan, Arabic, English, math, and geography.

Levels: Although originally written for upper elementary to junior high students, I've included activities for younger students as well. It can also be used for adults as well.

Younger children:

Write the name of the surah on the board.

Say: This is Suratuz zalzalah, surah 99, and this Surah was revealed in Madinah. Have student spell out title while looking at it.
Ask: (with student looking at text) This surah has how many ayaat?
Say: "Az zalzalah" means "earthquake". This surah describes some events that will happen on the Day of Judgment such as a great quaking of the earth.

Older Students:

Using the Tafsir opening for this surah, fill out the Introductory Information Chart (also available in Study Guide Template Pack)

1. Reading

 

Younger students:

 

• Recite the surah to students in Arabic. Then read the English translation, one ayaah at a time, stopping to discuss each ayaah.

Áyát 1:

 

"When the earth quakes with its zilzal."

This describes the violent shaking that the earth will suffer.

 

Ayat 2:

 

"And when the earth throws out its burdens"

The earth will burst open and throw out its contents revealing everything in it, including the dead.

 

Áyah 3:

 

"And man will say: "What is the matter with it?"

 "Mankind will be baffled by its situation after it used to be stable, settled and firm, and he used to be settled upon its surface." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Áyah 4: T

 

"that day it will declare its information"

The earth will speak about what people did upon its surface. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

 

The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Verily, its information is that it will testify against every male and female servant, about what they did upon its surface. It will say that he did such and such on such and such day...."

 

 

Ayah 5:

"Because your Lord will inspire it."

Allah will permit the earth to declare its information. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

 

Áyah 6:

"That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups."

Mankind will return from the station of Judgment in separate groups. They will be divided into types and categories: those who are miserable and those who are happy, those who are commanded to go to Jannah and those commanded to go to Jahannam (the Hellfire) (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

 

 

Ayah 7:

"that they might be shown their deeds"

People will be rewarded for what they did in this life, good and bad.

 

 

Ayah 8:

So whoever does good equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it."

 

Nothing will be ignored in the accounting. Not the slightest evil or good action will go unnoticed. No one will be able to transfer the evil of his actions to another. It is the day when everyone will know the result of their life on earth.

 

 

Older students:

 

• Students should read the surah aloud in Arabic and English (preferably in presence of teacher).

• Student reads the complete tafsir for this surah (pp.556-564. Teacher can also break the reading down into smaller parts, if desired.

If student does not have a copy of the tafsir, the text can be viewed with this links from Tafsir.com:

The Tafsir of Surah Idha Zulzilat (Az-Zalzalah)
(Chapter - 99)
Which was revealed in Makkah
The Virtues of Surat Az-Zalzalah
The Day of Judgement, what will take place during it, the Condition of the Earth and the Condition of the People
The Recompense for Every Minute Deed ThereforeWhich was revealed in Makkah
A Summary of the Story of the People of the Elephant
Dhu Nafr was captured and taken along with the army of Abrahah.
Concerning Allah's statement,

Optional: As student reads the tafsir, have him outline it or turn statements into study questions and write them down. There is a form in the Study Guide Templates Pack where student can record these questions.

NOTE:

During the duration of this lesson, it is a good idea to have student read and recite the surah daily while the teacher listens.

 

Putting It Together

You might want to have student write all work in a special Quraan notebook or make a lap book/portfolio.

Younger students:

 

A. Have students answer the 5 W's about this surah (orally or written):

 

1. Who is this surah about?

2. When did/will the events in this surah take place?

3. Where did/will the events in this surah take place?

2.What happened in this surah?

3. Why did/will this happen?

 

You can use TJ's 5Ws worksheets: 

Version 1: With space for drawing a picture

Version 2: With space to record where surah was revealed, number of ayaat

B. Have students answer orally or in writing:

 

Generate comprehension questions based upon the content of the surah. (from the tafsir)

 

 

Older Students:

 A. Have student, orally or in writing, answer the 5W's of this surah (see above)

Vocabulary