إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّمَنْ خَافَ عَذَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَذَٰلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ 103
Translations
Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day [which will be] witnessed.
Transliteration
Inna fee dhalika la-ayatan liman khafa adhaba al-akhirah. Dhalika yawmun majmoo un lahu an-nas wa dhalika yawmun mashhud.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that in the stories of the prophets and punishments of disbelieving nations lies a clear sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. The Day of Judgment is described as a day when all mankind will be gathered together and a witnessed day—testified to by angels, prophets, and all creation—underscoring its absolute certainty and cosmic significance. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this ayah serves as a reminder of accountability and the reality of the afterlife, motivating believers toward righteous conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Hud, which presents narratives of various prophets (Noah, Hud, Salih, Abraham, Lot, and Shu'ayb) and their peoples' rejection and punishment. The surah was revealed in the Meccan period to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers against mockery and to warn the disbelievers of inevitable divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Day of Judgment will not be established until... the people are gathered on a land that is white like silver, with no landmarks upon it for anyone.' (Tirmidhi 2416). Also relevant is the hadith describing the Day as 'witnessed' by the angels and all creation (Surah 83:21).
Themes
Key Lesson
Reflecting on the historical consequences of rejecting divine truth should inspire believers to take the afterlife seriously and cultivate taqwa (God-consciousness). The certainty of the Day of Judgment serves as a powerful motivator to align our actions with Allah's guidance and remember that all humanity will be held accountable before the Lord.
Related Ayahs
قَـٰلَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ
[Allāh] will say, "How long did you remain on earth in number of years?"
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةِ إِذِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ لَدَى ٱلْحَنَاجِرِ كَـٰظِمِينَ ۚ مَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
بَلْ تَأْتِيهِم بَغْتَةً فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَدَّهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱبْيَضَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فَفِى رَحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
But as for those whose faces turn white, [they will be] within the mercy of Allāh. They will abide therein eternally.