هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْغَمَامِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ 210
Translations
Do they await but that Allāh should come to them in covers of clouds and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allāh [all] matters are returned.
Transliteration
Hal yanzuruna illa an ya'tiyahumu-Allah fi zulal min al-ghimam wa-al-mala'ikah wa-qudiya al-amr wa-ila Allah turja'u al-umur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses those who reject faith, asking if they are waiting for nothing less than Allah Himself to come to them with clouds and angels—a reference to the Day of Judgment when all matters will be decided. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as describing the final hour when Allah's command will be executed and there will be no escape or delay. The ayah emphasizes that all affairs ultimately return to Allah, making rejection of faith a futile stance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Al-Baqarah's discussion of those who reject the signs of Allah despite clear evidence. It is part of a broader Medinan passage addressing the doubts and delays of disbelievers who demand extraordinary proof, reminding them that the ultimate proof will come on the Day of Judgment when it will be too late for repentance.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the descent of Jesus son of Mary and the Hour approaching relates thematically to divine intervention. Additionally, numerous ahadith about the signs of the Hour and Allah's dominion over all affairs connect to this ayah's message about inevitable divine judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that those who reject clear signs and demand extraordinary proof will eventually face undeniable evidence when it is too late to benefit from faith. It serves as a reminder that all human affairs, whether accepted or rejected, ultimately rest in Allah's hands, encouraging believers to accept guidance while it is available in this life.
Related Ayahs
فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss."
أَفِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَمِ ٱرْتَابُوٓا۟ أَمْ يَخَافُونَ أَن يَحِيفَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ بَلْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Is there disease in their hearts? Or have they doubted? Or do they fear that Allāh will be unjust to them, or His Messenger? Rather, it is they who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust].
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنْ عِندِهِۦ وَمَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
And Moses said, "My Lord is more knowing [than we or you] of who has come with guidance from Him and to whom will be succession in the home. Indeed, wrongdoers do not succeed."
يَدْعُوا۟ لَمَن ضَرُّهُۥٓ أَقْرَبُ مِن نَّفْعِهِۦ ۚ لَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْعَشِيرُ
He invokes one whose harm is closer than his benefit - how wretched the protector and how wretched the associate.