وَنَرَىٰهُ قَرِيبًا 7
Translations
But We see it [as] near.
Transliteration
Wa narahu qariban
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Day of Judgment appearing near or close, emphasizing its imminence from Allah's perspective, though its exact time remains hidden from creation. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain this as a warning that despite the length of time in worldly perception, the Day of Judgment is drawing near in Divine reckoning, serving as a call to preparedness and accountability. The proximity mentioned here is relative to Allah's eternal nature—what seems distant to humans is near to the All-Knowing Creator.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ma'arij was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and addresses the disbelievers' mockery of the Hereafter and divine punishment. This ayah appears within the context of describing the Day of Judgment and those who witness it, reinforcing the central Meccan theme of warning about the certainty and nearness of the Last Day despite skeptics' derision.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder' (Sahih Bukhari 4/161). Additionally, 'I have been sent at the time of the Hour when it is about to come' (Sahih Muslim), emphasizing the closeness of the Day of Judgment from the time of the Prophet's mission.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to view worldly life with perspective, recognizing that the Hereafter is drawing near regardless of how distant it may seem, thus motivating righteous deeds and spiritual preparation in the present moment.
Related Ayahs
فَعَمِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَهُمْ لَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
But the information will be unapparent to them that Day, so they will not [be able to] ask one another.
إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْمَسَاقُ
To your Lord, that Day, will be the procession.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوا۟ مِنَّا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ حَسَرَٰتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَمَا هُم بِخَـٰرِجِينَ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who followed will say, "If only we had another turn [at worldly life] so we could disassociate ourselves from them as they have disassociated themselves from us." Thus will Allāh show them their deeds as regrets upon them. And they are never to emerge from the Fire.
فَكُبْكِبُوا۟ فِيهَا هُمْ وَٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
So they will be overturned into it [i.e., Hellfire], they and the deviators