وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 29
Translations
And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"
Transliteration
Wa yaqūlūna matā hādhā al-wa'd in kuntum sādiqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers mockingly challenge the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers, asking 'When will this promise (of the Day of Judgment) come to pass, if you are truthful?' This rhetorical taunt reflects their arrogant rejection of the certainty of the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note that this question exposes the disbelievers' hearts full of doubt and denial, as they attempt to discredit the message through sarcasm rather than sincere inquiry.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saba, a Meccan chapter that extensively addresses the themes of resurrection, divine justice, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. The broader context of this surah deals with the disbelievers' mockery of Quranic warnings about the Hereafter, making this ayah part of a pattern where the Meccan polytheists repeatedly challenged the Prophet regarding the timing and reality of the promised Last Day.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4735 - The Prophet said, 'The Hour will be established, but you will not believe it,' reflecting how people throughout time would doubt the certainty of the Day of Judgment despite clear warnings. Additionally, Surah Ya-Sin 36:48 contains a similar taunt: 'They say, When is this promise, if you should be truthful?'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that mockery and taunts from disbelievers should not shake their conviction in divine truth, for skepticism about the unseen does not negate its reality. The challenge invites us to reflect on our own certainty in the Hereafter and to respond to doubts with patient wisdom rather than defensive argumentation.