فَإِذَا هُم بِٱلسَّاهِرَةِ 14
Translations
And suddenly they will be [alert] upon the earth's surface.
Transliteration
Fa-idha hum bi-assahirah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when people are resurrected and find themselves on the vast, open plain (as-sahirah) on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that as-sahirah refers to the level ground of the resurrection where all of humanity will be gathered, emphasizing the sudden and inescapable reality of being raised from the dead. The word 'fa-idha' (then suddenly) underscores the swiftness and certainty of this divine event.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nazi'at, a Meccan surah focused on the events of the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection. It falls within a passage describing the stages of the Hereafter, specifically depicting the moment when souls are returned to bodies and people awaken on the plain of resurrection. The surah emphasizes the inevitability and proximity of this divine event to challenge the disbelievers' denial.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised' (Sahih Bukhari 3334). Related to the gathering on as-sahirah is the hadith: 'The sun will be brought close to the heads of the people on the Day of Resurrection' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2416), describing the conditions on that plain.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Resurrection is an inescapable reality that will come suddenly, encouraging mindfulness of our deeds and accountability before Allah. It serves as a powerful deterrent against heedlessness and a call to prepare spiritually for the meeting with our Lord.