إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَـٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 40
Translations
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all -
Transliteration
Inna yawma al-fasl miqaatuhum ajma'een
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Fasl) is the appointed time for all people to be judged and separated between the righteous and the wicked. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'al-fasl' (the Criterion/Separation) refers to the Day when Allah will decisively distinguish between truth and falsehood, believers and disbelievers, through His ultimate justice. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this appointed time is certain and fixed, and all creation without exception will be gathered on that day for divine reckoning.
Revelation Context
Surah Ad-Dukhan is a Meccan surah primarily concerned with warning the disbelievers about the consequences of rejecting divine revelation and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. This particular ayah concludes a passage emphasizing the inevitability of divine judgment, addressing the Quraysh's denial of the afterlife and their arrogance in dismissing the Prophet's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best day the sun has risen upon is Friday (Yawm al-Jumu'ah), and the most grievous day the sun has risen upon is Friday,' emphasizing the significance of appointed times (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the authentic hadith regarding the Hour: 'None knows when the Hour will come except Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 4636) reinforces the certainty of this appointed time known only to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that regardless of our status, wealth, or worldly power in this life, all of humanity will stand before Allah on an appointed day for divine judgment and accountability. Believers should maintain consciousness of this certain reality to motivate righteous conduct and detachment from worldly pursuits that distance them from Allah's remembrance.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَٱلْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِ
It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allāh.
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا
So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees.
إِذِ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَـٰقِهِمْ وَٱلسَّلَـٰسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ
When the shackles are around their necks and the chains; they will be dragged
قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ جَمِيعًا ۖ لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say, "To Allāh belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned."