وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ 34
Translations
And for every nation is a [specified] term. So when their time has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].
Transliteration
Wa li-kulli ummatin ajalun fa-iza ja'a ajaluhum la yasta'khirun sa'atan wa la yastaqdimu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the divine principle that every nation has an appointed term (ajal) fixed by Allah, and when that predetermined time arrives, they cannot delay it by even a moment, nor can they advance it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as affirming Allah's absolute sovereignty over the lifespan of communities and individuals, with no power to alter what has been decreed. The ayah emphasizes the certainty of death and the immutability of divine destiny.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh were rejecting the message of the Prophet and demanding miracles. This ayah contextualizes the ultimate fate of nations within the broader Meccan theme of resurrection, divine justice, and the accountability of communities for their response to prophethood.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The lifespan of this Ummah is between 60 to 70 years' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith: 'When the time of a person's death approaches, no deed will be accepted' (Sahih Muslim) reinforces the concept of predetermined terms.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to accept the will of Allah with patience and surrender, understanding that our appointed time is known only to Him and is beyond our control. It should inspire us to focus on righteous deeds and obedience rather than anxiety about the future, trusting in Allah's infinite wisdom.