وَقُلْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ لِبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱسْكُنُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا 104
Translations
And We said after him [i.e., Pharaoh] to the Children of Israel, "Dwell in the land, and when there comes the promise [i.e., appointment] of the Hereafter, We will bring you forth in [one] gathering."
Transliteration
Wa qulna min ba'dihi li bani Isra'ila askunu al-arda fa-iza ja'a wa'du al-akhirati ji'na bikum lafifan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded the Children of Israel to inhabit the land after Musa (Moses), and when the promise of the Day of Judgment arrives, Allah will gather them together in a multitude. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as referring to both the earthly dispersion of Bani Israel throughout history and their ultimate gathering on the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing Allah's control over their destiny and the certainty of the final reckoning.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Isra's discussion of the Children of Israel's history and their relationship with the covenant. It follows the mention of Musa and relates to the broader Meccan theme of resurrection and accountability, reminding the Quraysh that just as Allah fulfilled His promise with Bani Israel, He will fulfill His promise regarding the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the gathering of nations on the Day of Judgment relates thematically to the concept of 'lafifan' (gathered in multitudes). Additionally, hadiths about the final hour and resurrection in Sahih Bukhari discuss the gathering of all creation before Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's promises are certain and inevitable—both those fulfilled in history and those awaiting fulfillment on the Day of Judgment. It teaches that despite earthly scattering and dispersion, all humanity will ultimately stand before Allah in accountability, encouraging mindfulness of our deeds and preparation for the afterlife.
Related Ayahs
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُورًا
We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."
وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَـٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا
And they say, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled."
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ كَفُورًا
And when adversity touches you at sea, lost are [all] those you invoke except for Him. But when He delivers you to the land, you turn away [from Him]. And ever is man ungrateful.