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
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ ٱلْفُرْقَانَ وَضِيَآءً وَذِكْرًا لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
And We had already given Moses and Aaron the criterion and a light and a reminder for the righteous
أَمْ لَهُمْ ءَالِهَةٌ تَمْنَعُهُم مِّن دُونِنَا ۚ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَا هُم مِّنَّا يُصْحَبُونَ
Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.
وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ
And We have already written in the book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.
بَلْ مَتَّعْنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ طَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْعُمُرُ ۗ أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ ۚ أَفَهُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ
But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? Is it they who will overcome?