أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ 53
Translations
That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"
Transliteration
A-in-na mita-na wa-kunna tu-raban wa-'izaman a-inna-na la-madinun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the disbelievers' rhetorical question expressing their denial of resurrection and the Day of Judgment. They mock the concept that after death, when their bodies have decomposed into dust and bones, they will be brought back to life and held accountable for their deeds. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this reflects the arrogance and obstinate rejection of the Hereafter by those who deny Allah's power, emphasizing that disbelievers used this argument to ridicule the believers' faith in resurrection.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which addresses the fundamental beliefs of Islamic theology. The broader context of the surah (verses 35-57) presents various arguments of disbelievers against resurrection, making this ayah part of Allah's refutation of their false reasoning and denial of the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will not be established till the sun rises from the West, and when it does and the people see it, all of them will believe, but that will be the time when belief will be of no benefit.' (Sahih Bukhari 4636). This hadith relates to the certainty of resurrection despite people's denial.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that skepticism about resurrection often stems from human arrogance and limited understanding of divine power, not from logical impossibility. For modern readers, it serves as a call to firm conviction in the Hereafter and a warning against following those who mock fundamental Islamic beliefs.