لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَـٰتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ 50
Translations
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day."
Transliteration
Lamajmoo'oon ilaa meeqaati yawmin ma'aloom
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the gathering of all souls on the Day of Judgment at an appointed time known only to Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that despite humanity's dispersal throughout history and across the earth, all will be resurrected and assembled together on a predetermined day—emphasizing Allah's absolute power and the certainty of the afterlife. The phrase 'yawm ma'aloom' (a known day) underscores that while this day is fixed in Allah's knowledge, it remains hidden from creation as a sign of divine wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan surah that emphasizes the reality and certainty of the Day of Judgment. It comes in a section affirming the resurrection and gathering of humanity, addressing Meccan skeptics who denied the afterlife. The surah's broader context focuses on three categories of people on the Day of Judgment, making this ayah part of the foundational affirmation of resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The people will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised' (Sahih Bukhari 3332), which elaborates on the reality of this gathering. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet described the assembled multitude and their various states, underscoring the certainty of this appointed gathering.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that despite the apparent randomness and fragmentation of earthly life, all souls will ultimately be gathered before Allah for judgment—a profound incentive to live righteously. The knowledge that this day is appointed and certain should inspire conscious awareness of our accountability and encourage us to prioritize our relationship with the Divine.