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
وَمَا ظَلَمْنَـٰهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ فَمَآ أَغْنَتْ عَنْهُمْ ءَالِهَتُهُمُ ٱلَّتِى يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ لَّمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَمَا زَادُوهُمْ غَيْرَ تَتْبِيبٍ
And We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. And they were not availed at all by their gods which they invoked other than Allāh when there came the command of your Lord. And they did not increase them in other than ruin.
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَـٰهُ نَعْمَآءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتُ عَنِّىٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُورٌ
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, "Bad times have left me." Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۥ ۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in it [i.e., the Qur’ān]. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions - the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.
۞ وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allāh is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.