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.