قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِى مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِۦ لَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 58
Translations
Say, "If I had that for which you are impatient, the matter would have been decided between me and you, but Allāh is most knowing of the wrongdoers."
Transliteration
Qul law anna AAinda ma tastajilun bihi laqudiya al-amru bayni wa baynakum wa-Allahu aAALam bi-al-zalimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to tell the disbelievers that if he possessed the punishment they were hastily demanding, the matter would have been decided between him and them immediately. Ibn Kathir explains this refers to the disbelievers' mockery and demands for swift punishment, emphasizing that Allah alone determines the timing and manner of retribution, and He is Most Knowing of the wrongdoers and their ultimate fate. This ayah reflects Allah's wisdom in delaying punishment as a test of faith and an opportunity for repentance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Meccan period discourse addressing the disbelievers' arrogant demands for immediate punishment. The context involves the Quraysh's rejection of the Prophet's message and their sarcastic challenge for swift retribution, to which Allah responds through this ayah, affirming that the timing of judgment rests solely with Allah, not with human desire or mockery.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah Al-An'am's broader context. A relevant hadith from Sahih Muslim (2758) discusses how Allah grants respite to the wrongdoer, but when He seizes him, He does not let him escape—illustrating the principle that punishment is in Allah's complete control, not hastened by human demands.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's justice operates according to Divine wisdom and perfect timing, not human impatience or mockery; we must trust in Allah's knowledge of all hidden matters and His ultimate justice, which cannot be rushed or manipulated by those who reject faith.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ٱلْأَلِيمُ
And that it is My punishment which is the painful punishment.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
أَلْقِيَا فِى جَهَنَّمَ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ
[Allāh will say], "Throw into Hell every obstinate disbeliever,
أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَيْرٌ مُّسْتَقَرًّا وَأَحْسَنُ مَقِيلًا
The companions of Paradise, that Day, are [in] a better settlement and better resting place.