هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ 66
Translations
Are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?
Transliteration
Hal yanzuroon illa as-saa'ata an ta'tiyahum baghtatan wa hum laa yash'uroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns the disbelievers that they are only awaiting the Hour (Day of Judgment), which will come upon them suddenly and unexpectedly while they remain heedless. The verse emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the Day of Judgment as a response to those who deny or mock it. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir highlight that the unexpectedness (baghtatan) serves as a warning against complacency and the false sense of security that prevents people from preparing for the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Az-Zukhruf, a Meccan surah primarily addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the message of the Prophet Muhammad. The surah repeatedly refutes their false beliefs and worldly preoccupations while warning them of the consequences of disbelief. This particular verse fits within the broader theme of the surah's admonishment against those who turn away from divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will not be established until people desire it' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet warned: 'The Hour will come when people are in the worst of states' (Sahih Muslim), reflecting the theme of sudden arrival during heedlessness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers to maintain constant awareness of accountability before Allah and to avoid becoming preoccupied with worldly matters that distract from spiritual preparation. It serves as a sobering reminder that we are unaware of when we will meet our Creator, urging us to live with conscious piety and readiness at all times.
Related Ayahs
وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُۥ شَيْطَـٰنًا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٌ
And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ ۖ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.
لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ
That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say, "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.
۞ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَكُمْ ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ
[Each warner] said, "Even if I brought you better guidance than that [religion] upon which you found your fathers?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."