ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ 3
Translations
That over which they are in disagreement.
Transliteration
Al-ladhi hum fihi mukhtalifun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Din), about which people dispute and disagree in their beliefs and acceptance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that despite the clear signs and proofs of the Hereafter presented in the Quran, people remain divided in their conviction—some believe firmly, others doubt, and still others reject it entirely. This division reflects humanity's varying degrees of faith and reasoning regarding divine realities.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naba opens in Meccan context addressing the skepticism of the disbelievers of Mecca who questioned and mocked the concept of resurrection and the Day of Judgment. This ayah is part of the surah's opening (verses 1-5) which introduces the central theme—that despite widespread disagreement about the Hereafter, it is an absolute truth that will inevitably come to pass.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' relates to understanding divine truths including the Day of Judgment. Additionally, Surah Al-Hajj 22:8 contains a related hadith context about those who dispute concerning Allah despite knowledge coming to them.
Themes
Key Lesson
Despite widespread human disagreement and skepticism about the afterlife and divine realities, believers should have unwavering certainty in Allah's promises, as divergence of opinion among people does not negate absolute divine truths. This teaches us to seek knowledge from authentic sources and remain steadfast in faith regardless of societal skepticism.
Related Ayahs
وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ
And the mountains will be like wool,
وَنَزَعْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا فَقُلْنَا هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ فَعَلِمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلْحَقَّ لِلَّهِ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
And We will extract from every nation a witness and say, "Produce your proof," and they will know that the truth belongs to Allāh, and lost from them is that which they used to invent.
وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَفْسٍ ظَلَمَتْ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَٱفْتَدَتْ بِهِۦ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ ٱللَّهِ لِيَجْزِىَ قَوْمًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], to those who have believed that they [should] forgive those who expect not the days of Allāh [i.e., of His retribution] so that He may recompense a people for what they used to earn.