ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ 1
Translations
[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
Transliteration
Iqtaraba lilnnasi hisabuhum wa hum fi ghaflatin mu'ridun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Anbiya declares that the Day of Judgment has drawn near for humanity, yet they remain heedless and turning away from the signs and warnings of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that despite the proximity of the Hour, people continue in negligence and aversion to remembrance of Allah and His messages. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of the message and the spiritual danger of heedlessness regarding the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This Meccan surah was revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet's message. The opening ayah sets the tone for the entire surah by warning of the impending Day of Judgment, challenging the polytheists' denial and their dismissal of prophetic warnings. It contextualizes why the stories of the prophets that follow are relevant—to demonstrate that Allah's judgment is certain and that people have repeatedly ignored divine guidance throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will be established suddenly. Its suddenness is part of its horror.' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'How many people are deceived by the delaying of punishment [from Allah]?' referencing those in heedlessness (Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah urges believers to maintain constant awareness of Allah and readiness for the Day of Judgment, rejecting the complacency and heedlessness that characterizes those who deny the afterlife. It reminds us that time is precious and that devotion to remembrance of Allah and righteous deeds should be our priority, not worldly distractions.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ ءَاذَنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ ۖ وَإِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ أَم بَعِيدٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ
But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلْحُسْنَىٰٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ
Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us - they are from it far removed.
وَٱقْتَرَبَ ٱلْوَعْدُ ٱلْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِىَ شَـٰخِصَةٌ أَبْصَـٰرُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِى غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَـٰذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And [when] the true promise [i.e., the resurrection] has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring [in horror, while they say], "O woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers."