كَلَّآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلتَّرَاقِىَ 26
Translations
No! When it [i.e., the soul] has reached the collar bones
Transliteration
Kallā idhā balaghati al-tarāqī
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment of death when the soul reaches the collarbone (al-tarāqī), signifying the final stages of life departing from the body. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a vivid depiction of the death throes, emphasizing the certainty and reality of mortality. The word 'Kallā' (nay/verily) serves as an emphatic rejection of those who deny the Hereafter, affirming that death is an inescapable reality that will come to every soul.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qiyamah, which is a Meccan chapter primarily focused on establishing belief in the Day of Resurrection and the reality of the afterlife. The surah responds to the deniers of the Hereafter by presenting undeniable physical and spiritual signs of resurrection, and this particular ayah emphasizes the inevitability of death as a prelude to that resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), relating to proper treatment as death approaches. Additionally, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet emphasized consciousness of Allah (taqwa) before death approaches (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that death is an absolute certainty that will come to everyone, encouraging constant awareness (muraqaba) of our mortality and preparation through righteous deeds. It serves as a powerful deterrent against arrogance and heedlessness in worldly pursuits, urging us to prioritize our relationship with Allah before that inevitable moment arrives.