أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا 51
Translations
Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -
Transliteration
Aw khalqan mimma yakburu fee sudoorikum, fasayaqooloon man yu'eeduna, qul alladhee fatarakum awwal marrah, fasayunghidoon ilayka ru'oosakum wa yaqooloon mata huwa, qul 'asa an yakoon qareeba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' denial of resurrection and their mocking question 'Who will restore us to life after death?' Allah commands the Prophet (ﷺ) to respond that the same Creator who brought them into existence the first time is capable of bringing them back. The disbelievers' shaking of their heads and dismissive question 'When will this be?' reflects their stubborn rejection, yet the Prophet is instructed to respond with hopeful certainty that the Day of Judgment is near. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this passage demonstrates the logical absurdity of denying resurrection when creation itself proves divine omnipotence.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense opposition from the Quraysh who rejected the concepts of resurrection and divine judgment. The context addresses the specific objections of Meccan disbelievers who mocked the idea of bodily resurrection, making it relevant to the broader apologetic discourse of the surah addressing fundamental Islamic beliefs.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3.29.76) where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The resurrection is as near as the shortness of night and day' relates to the concept of the Day of Judgment being near despite its apparent delay. Additionally, Surah Qaf (50:16) and the hadith in Sahih Muslim about Allah's knowledge encompassing all creation support the theme of divine omnipotence over resurrection.
Themes
Key Lesson
When faced with doubts or mockery regarding faith, believers should respond with rational certainty rooted in the evident signs of creation and divine power, while maintaining hope that divine justice and resurrection are inevitable realities. The ayah teaches patience in conveying truth and the understanding that apparent delay does not negate divine promises.