أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ 58
Translations
Then, are we not to die
Transliteration
Afa-ma nahnu bi-mayyitin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses the amazement and denial of the disbelievers regarding the certainty of death and the afterlife. The phrase literally means 'Are we not going to die?' but is posed as a rhetorical question reflecting their rejection of mortality and resurrection. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse captures the disbelievers' arrogant dismissal of death as inevitable, showing their heedlessness toward the reality of the Hereafter despite clear signs in creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the resurrection. The verse is part of a broader passage (37:53-74) describing a dialogue in Paradise where the righteous reflect on their former disbelief and the warnings they rejected in the worldly life. It serves as a reminder to the Meccan audience of the inevitability of death and accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Remember frequently the one that cuts off all pleasures - death' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2307). Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet advised contemplation of death as it purifies deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that death is an inescapable reality for all souls, and that frequent remembrance of mortality purifies the heart and redirects focus toward righteous deeds and preparation for the Afterlife. It serves as a sobering call against heedlessness and arrogance in this transient world.