Earth’s Information

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) recited this Ayat: “That Day it (the earth) will declare its information.” [Quran: Surah Az-Zalzalah, Ayat 4] He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) then asked his Companions: “Do you know what ‘its information’ is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “‘Its information’ means that it will testify against every man and woman about what they did on its surface. It will say, ‘On such and such a day they did such and such. That is ‘its information.’” [Tirmidhi]

Among the witnesses against a person will be the earth, and days and nights; they will testify about what was done on/in them and against them. Wealth will testify against its owner; a person’s own body will testify against him; and the angels who record deeds, both good and evil will also be witnesses. Imaam Qurtubi devoted a chapter to this subject in his Tadhkirah.