ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ 1
Translations
[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
Transliteration
Iqtaraba lilnnasi hisabuhum wa hum fi ghaflatin mu'ridun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Anbiya declares that the Day of Judgment has drawn near for humanity, yet they remain heedless and turning away from the signs and warnings of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that despite the proximity of the Hour, people continue in negligence and aversion to remembrance of Allah and His messages. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of the message and the spiritual danger of heedlessness regarding the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This Meccan surah was revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet's message. The opening ayah sets the tone for the entire surah by warning of the impending Day of Judgment, challenging the polytheists' denial and their dismissal of prophetic warnings. It contextualizes why the stories of the prophets that follow are relevant—to demonstrate that Allah's judgment is certain and that people have repeatedly ignored divine guidance throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Hour will be established suddenly. Its suddenness is part of its horror.' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'How many people are deceived by the delaying of punishment [from Allah]?' referencing those in heedlessness (Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah urges believers to maintain constant awareness of Allah and readiness for the Day of Judgment, rejecting the complacency and heedlessness that characterizes those who deny the afterlife. It reminds us that time is precious and that devotion to remembrance of Allah and righteous deeds should be our priority, not worldly distractions.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّـٰعِبِينَ
They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"
وَمَا جَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ خَـٰلِدِينَ
And We did not make them [i.e., the prophets] forms not eating food, nor were they immortal [on earth].
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا ۚ فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And We sent not before you, [O Muḥammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.