يَسْـَٔلُكَ ٱلنَّاسُ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ تَكُونُ قَرِيبًا 63
Translations
People ask you concerning the Hour. Say, "Knowledge of it is only with Allāh. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near."
Transliteration
Yas'aluka an-nasu 'ani as-sā'ati, qul innamā 'ilmuhā 'inda Allāh, wa mā yudrīka la'alla as-sā'ata takūnu qarībā
Tafsir (Explanation)
The people ask the Prophet Muhammad about the Hour (Day of Judgment), and he is commanded to respond that knowledge of it rests solely with Allah. The ayah then reminds the Prophet and believers that they cannot know when the Hour will come, emphasizing that it may be near, thereby encouraging vigilance and preparedness. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this ayah establishes the absolute secrecy of the Hour's timing as one of Allah's hidden realities (ghayb), which serves as a divine test of faith and obedience.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ahzab (Medinan chapter) and addresses a common question posed by people during the Prophet's time about when the Day of Judgment would occur. The context reflects the Medinan period when the Muslim community was being established and believers sought knowledge about eschatological matters. The surah's broader theme addresses various aspects of Muslim social and spiritual life.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4635): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The Hour will not be established till... five things happen,' indicating the Hour's knowledge is with Allah alone. Sahih Muslim (2955): 'Gabriel asked the Prophet about the Hour, and he replied that the one being asked knows no more than the questioner,' reinforcing that only Allah possesses this knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that uncertainty about the future is intentional divine wisdom designed to keep us spiritually alert and morally responsible at all times. Rather than speculating about unseen matters, we should focus on righteous action and constant preparation for meeting Allah, as the Hour's proximity is unknowable and could be imminent.