The 54th Surah of the Qur’an is called “Surat al-Qamar.” In English qamar means moon. In several instances, this Surah tells about the destruction that befell the people of Nuh, Ad, Thamud, Lut and Pharaoh, because they rejected the warnings of the prophets. At the same time, there is a very important message stated in the first verse, concerning the Last Day.

 The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split. (Surat al-Qamar: 1)

 The word “split” used in this verse is the Arabic shaqqa, which in Arabic it has various meanings. In some commentaries on the Qur’an, the meaning “split” is preferred. But shaqqa in Arabic can also mean “ploughing” or “digging” the earth.

As an example of the first usage, we can refer to the 26th verse of Surat al-Abasa:

 We pour down plentiful water, then split the earth into furrows. Then We make grain grow in it, and grapes and herbs and olives and dates. (Surah ‘Abasa: 25-29)

It can be clearly seen that the meaning of shaqqa here is not to “split.” It means to plough the earth in order to grow various plants.

If we went back to the year 1969, we would see one of the great wonders of the Qur’an. The experiments carried out on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, may be hinting at the fulfilment of news given 1,400 years ago in Surat al-Qamar. On that date, American astronauts set foot on the moon. Digging at the lunar soil they carried out scientific experiments and collected samples of stones and soil. It is surely very interesting that these developments are in complete agreement with the statements in the verse.

While the astronauts were working on the moon’s surface, they collected 15.4 kilograms of rock and soil samples. These samples later received a lot of attention. According to the NASA report, the interest shown by the people in these samples probably surpassed their interest in all other forms of space exploration of the twentieth century.3

The exploration of the moon is identified with the slogan: “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” This was an historic moment in space research; it was an event documented by cameras, and everyone from that time to this has witnessed it. As it is stated in the first verse of Surat al-Qamar, this great event may also be a sign of the Last Day. It may be a sign that the world is in the End Times before the Judgment. (Allah surely knows best)

Finally, let us point out that there is a very important warning following these verses. There is a reminder that these signs are an important opportunity for people to turn from error, and that those who do not heed these warnings will be disappointed when they will be brought back to life on that Day of Judgment which is described in the Qur'an as “something unspeakably terrible”:

 The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split. If they see a Sign they turn away, saying “There is no end to this witchcraft!” They have denied the truth and followed their whims and desires, but everything has its time. News has come to them which contains a threat: consummate wisdom – but warnings are profitless. Turn away from them then. On the Day the Summoner summons them to something unspeakably terrible, they will emerge from their graves with downcast eyes, like swarming locusts, necks outstretched, eyes transfixed, rushing headlong to the Summoner. The disbelievers will say, “This is a pitiless day!” (Surat al-Qamar: 1-8)

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