قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِى مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِۦ لَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 58
Translations
Say, "If I had that for which you are impatient, the matter would have been decided between me and you, but Allāh is most knowing of the wrongdoers."
Transliteration
Qul law anna AAinda ma tastajilun bihi laqudiya al-amru bayni wa baynakum wa-Allahu aAALam bi-al-zalimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to tell the disbelievers that if he possessed the punishment they were hastily demanding, the matter would have been decided between him and them immediately. Ibn Kathir explains this refers to the disbelievers' mockery and demands for swift punishment, emphasizing that Allah alone determines the timing and manner of retribution, and He is Most Knowing of the wrongdoers and their ultimate fate. This ayah reflects Allah's wisdom in delaying punishment as a test of faith and an opportunity for repentance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Meccan period discourse addressing the disbelievers' arrogant demands for immediate punishment. The context involves the Quraysh's rejection of the Prophet's message and their sarcastic challenge for swift retribution, to which Allah responds through this ayah, affirming that the timing of judgment rests solely with Allah, not with human desire or mockery.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah Al-An'am's broader context. A relevant hadith from Sahih Muslim (2758) discusses how Allah grants respite to the wrongdoer, but when He seizes him, He does not let him escape—illustrating the principle that punishment is in Allah's complete control, not hastened by human demands.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's justice operates according to Divine wisdom and perfect timing, not human impatience or mockery; we must trust in Allah's knowledge of all hidden matters and His ultimate justice, which cannot be rushed or manipulated by those who reject faith.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا۟ كُلَّ أُنَاسٍۭ بِإِمَـٰمِهِمْ ۖ فَمَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَقْرَءُونَ كِتَـٰبَهُمْ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
[Mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will call forth every people with their record [of deeds]. Then whoever is given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and injustice will not be done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside the date seed].
وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالًا يَعْرِفُونَهُم بِسِيمَىٰهُمْ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And the companions of the Elevations will call to men [within Hell] whom they recognize by their mark, saying, "Of no avail to you was your gathering and [the fact] that you were arrogant."
قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."
مَا يُبَدَّلُ ٱلْقَوْلُ لَدَىَّ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِظَلَّـٰمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ
The word [i.e., decree] will not be changed with Me, and never will I be unjust to the servants."