إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ كَانَ مِيقَـٰتًا 17
Translations
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time -
Transliteration
Inna yawma al-fasl kana miqata
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Fasl), when Allah will separate the righteous from the wicked, is a fixed and appointed time that will certainly occur. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that 'miqata' (an appointed term) stresses the certainty and predetermined nature of this day, and that Allah alone knows its exact time. The ayah serves to reinforce the reality of the afterlife and the accountability that awaits all creation.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naba is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh were denying the resurrection and the Day of Judgment. This ayah appears within a passage describing the signs and certainties of the Day of Judgment, addressing the skeptics and confirming that this momentous day is not mere speculation but a divinely appointed reality.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Hour will not be established until... (various signs),' emphasizing the certainty of the Day of Judgment (Sahih Bukhari 3176). Additionally, the Quran states in Surah Luqman (31:34): 'Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour,' relating to the fixed but unknown time of this appointed day.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Day of Judgment is not a matter of doubt or delay—it is an appointed certainty that will come to pass. We should use this knowledge to cultivate consciousness of Allah (taqwa) and align our actions with accountability before this inevitable divine appointment.
Related Ayahs
قُل لِّعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خِلَـٰلٌ
[O Muḥammad], tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange [i.e., ransom], nor any friendships.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ ۖ فَهَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْبَعْثِ وَلَـٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "You remained the extent of Allāh's decree until the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not used to know."
لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
For a tremendous Day -
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ فَزِعُوا۟ فَلَا فَوْتَ وَأُخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ
And if you could see when they are terrified but there is no escape, and they will be seized from a place nearby.