قُلْ إِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ أَمْ يَجْعَلُ لَهُۥ رَبِّىٓ أَمَدًا 25
Translations
Say, "I do not know if what you are promised is near or if my Lord will grant for it a [long] period."
Transliteration
Qul in adri aqareebun ma too'adoon am yaj'al lahu rabbee amada
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is commanded to say that he does not know whether the promised Day of Judgment is near or whether Allah will extend the term (amad) for it. This ayah emphasizes the Prophet's human limitations in knowledge of the unseen and serves to counter the disbelievers' mockery about the timing of divine punishment. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates intellectual humility—only Allah knows the exact hour of the Last Day, and the believers must remain vigilant regardless of when it comes.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Jinn, which addresses the Jinn who believed in the Quran and the disbelievers among both humans and jinn who rejected it. The broader context involves the Prophet addressing those who mock the promise of the Day of Judgment, asserting that knowledge of its timing belongs to Allah alone, not to any messenger or creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said: 'The Hour will not be established until... [various signs]' (Sahih Bukhari 7121). Also relevant: 'Verily, the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah alone' (Surah Luqman 31:34), emphasizing that no one knows its timing except Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that uncertainty about the timing of major divine events should not weaken faith; rather, it should encourage constant readiness and moral vigilance. The Prophet's admission of not knowing the unseen reminds us that true wisdom includes acknowledging the limits of human knowledge and submitting to Allah's infinite wisdom.