لَّقَدْ كُنتَ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَـٰذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَآءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ 22
Translations
[It will be said], "You were certainly in unmindfulness of this, and We have removed from you your cover, so your sight, this Day, is sharp."
Transliteration
Laqad kunta fee ghaflatim min haza fakashafna anka ghitaaka fbasaruka al-yawma hadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, the disbeliever will be addressed with this reminder that they were in heedlessness regarding the signs of Allah and the reality of the Hereafter in their worldly life. Allah will remove the veil that covered their perception, and their sight will become sharp and clear to perceive the truth and reality they denied. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this represents the sudden clarity and regret that will overcome the disbelievers when they face the consequences of their denial, too late for repentance.
Revelation Context
Surah Qaf is a Meccan surah focused on themes of resurrection, accountability, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. This particular ayah appears in the context of the scene on the Day of Judgment, describing how Allah will address those who lived in neglect of divine warnings. It illustrates the sharp contrast between their state of willful ignorance in this world and their enforced clarity in the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who remember Allah the most' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3585), emphasizing avoidance of the heedlessness mentioned in this ayah. Also related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Day of Judgment when 'everyone will know their deeds' (Sahih Muslim 2797).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that heedlessness of divine guidance in this life will result in painful clarity on the Day of Judgment. Believers are encouraged to remain conscious of Allah and receptive to His signs now, rather than awaiting that inevitable moment of regretful awareness.