وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْمَوْعُودِ 2
Translations
And [by] the promised Day
Transliteration
Wa al-yawm al-maw'ud
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Day of Judgment, the promised day that Allah has assured will come. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's oath by the Day of Judgment, emphasizing its certainty and significance as a day of reckoning and accountability. The use of 'al-maw'ud' (the promised) underscores that this day is not a matter of doubt but a divine promise that will inevitably occur.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah revealed during the early phase of Islam when the Quraysh were persecuting believers. This ayah appears at the beginning of the surah as part of a series of oaths (verses 1-3) that Allah swears by—the heavens with their mansions, the promised day, and the witness and the witnessed. These oaths serve to emphasize the gravity of the message about the persecution of the believers and the certainty of divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Day of Judgment will not be established until...,' referencing various signs before it (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Trials and Portents). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized the reality of the Last Day in numerous hadiths, such as in Sunan Ibn Majah where he described its horrors to motivate believers toward righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should live with constant awareness that the Day of Judgment is an inevitable reality promised by Allah, which should motivate them toward righteous deeds and moral accountability in this life. This remembrance provides solace to the oppressed by assuring them that ultimate justice will be served by Allah on that promised day.