يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ 104
Translations
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.
Transliteration
Yawma naTwil-samaa'a ka-Tawwil-siJill lil-kutub. Kamaa badaa'naa awwal khalq nu'eeduhu. Wa'dan 'alaynaa. Innaa kunnaa faa'illeen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when Allah will fold up the heavens like a scroll of written records is rolled up—a vivid imagery of the cosmos collapsing. The verse affirms that just as Allah created all things in the beginning, He will recreate and restore them on the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing that this promise from Allah is certain and that He is fully capable of accomplishing it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this demonstrates Allah's complete power over creation and the inevitability of the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, a Meccan chapter that frequently addresses eschatological themes and the certainty of the Resurrection to counter the disbelief of the Quraysh. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the stories of prophets and the reality of Divine judgment, with this particular ayah serving as a powerful conclusion to themes of Divine omnipotence and the end of worldly existence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Sirat (path) will be set up over Jahannam (Hell)' (Sahih Bukhari 4635), which relates to the events of the Day of Judgment described in this ayah. Also relevant is the hadith: 'This worldly life compared to the Hereafter is nothing but like what one of you dips his finger in the sea' (Sahih Muslim 2858), emphasizing the transience of creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the entire cosmos is temporary and subject to Allah's will, encouraging detachment from worldly concerns and sincere preparation for the Hereafter. It provides reassurance that Allah's promises are absolutely certain and His power is absolute, offering comfort to those who trust in Divine justice and mercy.
Related Ayahs
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Woe, that Day, to the deniers.
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
So by your Lord, We will surely question them all
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.
وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ
And, [O Muḥammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation?