بَلِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ 46
Translations
But the Hour is their appointment [for due punishment], and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter.
Transliteration
Bal al-saa'atu maw'iduhum wa al-saa'atu adhaa wa amurru
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Hour (Day of Judgment) is the true appointment for the disbelievers, and emphasizes that it will be far more terrible and bitter than any worldly punishment they might face. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note that 'adhaa' (more evil/calamitous) and 'amurru' (more bitter) convey the unprecedented severity and anguish of the Day of Judgment, serving as a stern warning to those who reject the message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qamar, a Meccan surah that emphasizes the certainty of the Hour and discusses the fate of past nations who rejected their prophets. The verse directly addresses the disbelievers of Makkah who mocked the concept of resurrection, reassuring believers that divine justice will ultimately be served on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will not be established until... people's hearts become hard,' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2211). Also relevant is the hadith describing the severity of the Day of Judgment in Sahih Muslim 2790, where the Prophet describes its terrors.
Themes
Key Lesson
For believers, this ayah should instill mindfulness of accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment, motivating righteous conduct in this life. It serves as a powerful reminder that worldly concerns are temporary, and that true consequence lies in the eternal hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will be returned.
فَشَـٰرِبُونَ شُرْبَ ٱلْهِيمِ
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْعَلُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Who make [equal] with Allāh another deity. But they are going to know.
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."