أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ 176
Translations
Then for Our punishment are they impatient?
Transliteration
Afa-bi-adhaabina yasta'jiloon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question condemning those who hastily seek to bring about Allah's punishment upon themselves through their disbelief and disobedience. The particle 'afa' (so/then) expresses surprise and disapproval at their audacious behavior, while 'yasta'jiloon' (they hasten/seek to hasten) indicates their foolish eagerness. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain this as addressing the Meccan disbelievers who mocked the warnings of the Quran and challenged the Prophet to bring down Allah's torment, not realizing the gravity of their request.
Revelation Context
Surah As-Saffat was revealed in Mecca during the early-to-middle Meccan period. This ayah appears in the context of the surah's repeated refutation of polytheism and mockery of those who reject the message. The broader context of Meccan surahs emphasizes the reality of the Day of Judgment and the certainty of Allah's punishment for those who persist in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 4811) where the Prophet warns against hastening punishment: 'The supplication of every one of you will be granted as long as he does not get impatient and says, 'I prayed but it was not granted.'" Additionally, themes of mocking divine punishment appear in various Meccan context hadiths regarding the stubbornness of the Quraysh.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a profound warning against spiritual arrogance and flippant disregard for divine warnings. Modern readers should reflect on how mockery of religious guidance or deliberate disobedience is ultimately self-destructive, and recognize that true wisdom lies in heeding Allah's warnings with humility rather than challenging them with pride.