وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ 104
Translations
And We do not delay it except for a limited term.
Transliteration
Wa mā nu'akhkhiruhu illā li-ajal ma'ddūd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah does not delay the Day of Judgment except for a specific, predetermined term known only to Him. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that despite the apparent delay from humanity's perspective, the Hour has an appointed time that is fully determined by Allah's wisdom. The verse emphasizes divine sovereignty over time and the inevitability of the Final Day, serving as a response to those who mock the concept of resurrection or question why it has not yet occurred.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Hud's discussion of the Day of Judgment and responses to those who deny it. The broader surah addresses disbelievers' mockery of the prophets' warnings about the Hour, and this verse provides reassurance that despite their ridicule, the appointed time remains fixed and will certainly arrive.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Hour will not be established until... time passes quickly' (Sahih Muslim 2958), indicating the appointed time draws near. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari 4735, the Prophet emphasized the certainty of the Hour's arrival, though its exact time remains unknown to creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers should maintain certainty in Allah's promises and not be swayed by disbelievers' ridicule or the apparent delay of divine justice. Understanding that all events unfold according to Allah's precise wisdom should encourage patience, steadfastness in faith, and continued obedience regardless of worldly circumstances.
Related Ayahs
وَلَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِى خَزَآئِنُ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ وَلَآ أَقُولُ إِنِّى مَلَكٌ وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزْدَرِىٓ أَعْيُنُكُمْ لَن يُؤْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرًا ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ إِنِّىٓ إِذًا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allāh or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel, nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allāh will never grant them any good. Allāh is most knowing of what is within their souls. Indeed, I would then be among the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust]."
وَأُوحِىَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُۥ لَن يُؤْمِنَ مِن قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَن قَدْ ءَامَنَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ
And it was revealed to Noah that, "No one will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they have been doing.
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
قَالَتْ يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا۠ عَجُوزٌ وَهَـٰذَا بَعْلِى شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌ
She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!"