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
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.
وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ
And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - and that Allāh will resurrect those in the graves.
يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve [i.e., reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject."
قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, the former and later peoples