قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ فَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْعَآدِّينَ 113
Translations
They will say, "We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate."
Transliteration
Qālū labithnā yawman aw ba'ḍa yawmin fasʾal al-ʿāddīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the people of Paradise speaking about their duration in the worldly life, claiming they remained only a day or part of a day, demonstrating how brief life appears when compared to eternity. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain this reflects the believers' realization that their earthly existence was insignificant in comparison to their eternal reward, highlighting the Quranic theme that worldly life is transient and illusory (dunya). The phrase 'ask those who keep count' invites reflection on how time passes unnoticed when one is absorbed in spiritual and eternal matters.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun's description of the Day of Judgment and the state of believers in Paradise. It is part of a broader Meccan narrative addressing the disbelievers' doubts about resurrection and accountability, emphasizing that despite the apparent length of worldly life, it will seem negligible on the Day of Reckoning compared to eternity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world compared to the Hereafter is like when one of you puts his finger in the ocean—let him see what returns to him' (Sahih Muslim 2858). Additionally, Surah Al-Kahf (18:45) contains a related theme: 'The life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to maintain perspective on life's brevity and to prioritize eternal values over temporal concerns, recognizing that a life spent in righteousness will seem fleeting when weighed against infinity. It encourages Muslims to focus on the Hereafter rather than being consumed by worldly pursuits.