يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُمَارُونَ فِى ٱلسَّاعَةِ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍۭ بَعِيدٍ 18
Translations
Those who do not believe in it are impatient for it, but those who believe are fearful of it and know that it is the truth. Unquestionably, those who dispute concerning the Hour are in extreme error.
Transliteration
Yasta'jilu biha alladhina la yu'minuna biha wa-alladhina amanu mushfiquna minha wa ya'lamuna annaha al-haqq. Ala inna alladhina yumaruna fi al-sa'ati lafee dalalin ba'id.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contrasts the attitudes of believers and disbelievers toward the Day of Judgment (al-Sa'ah). The disbelievers mock and demand its arrival out of arrogance and denial, while believers fear and respect it, recognizing its certainty and truth. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that those who dispute the reality of the Hour are in severe misguidance, as the evidence for it is clear in the Quran and Sunnah.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shuraa is Meccan, revealed during the early period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from the Quraysh who denied the Hereafter and resurrection. This ayah addresses the mockery and hastening challenges of disbelievers ('Ista'jalu bih' - 'hasten it'), as documented in other Surahs like Al-Anbiya (21:27-28). The broader context of this surah emphasizes divine consultation and wisdom in governance.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will not be established till... people will hasten towards it as if it were something light.' (Sahih Bukhari 1037) - emphasizing the heedlessness of disbelievers. Also relevant: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.' (Sahih Bukhari 6018) - highlighting the believers' consciousness of accountability.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to maintain reverence and consciousness of the Hereafter, viewing it as the ultimate reality rather than something distant or mockable. In our modern age of skepticism and materialism, this serves as a reminder that our accountability before Allah is certain, and this awareness should shape our moral and spiritual conduct daily.