وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَآ أَمْرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ ٱلْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 77
Translations
And to Allāh belongs the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And the command for the Hour is not but as a glance of the eye or even nearer. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Wa-lillahi ghaybu as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ma amru as-saati illa kalamhi al-basari aw huwa aqrabu inna Allaha ala kulli shay'in qadir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone possesses knowledge of the unseen realities of the heavens and earth, and the coming of the Hour (Day of Judgment) will occur with such swiftness that it is like the blink of an eye—or even faster. The verse concludes with a reminder of Allah's absolute power over all things, emphasizing both His exclusive knowledge and His complete capability. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as consolation for believers regarding the unknown future, and a warning to disbelievers of the inevitability and suddenness of the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nahl is a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh were denying the Hereafter. This ayah appears in a section addressing those who mock or doubt the resurrection, reminding them that while humans cannot know when the Hour will come, Allah's knowledge and power are absolute and encompassing.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said in Sahih Bukhari: 'The Hour will come when the Hour will come suddenly, when a man is milking his camel, when a man is mending his watering place, and when a man is eating his food.' This emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature referenced in 16:77. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (ﷺ) stated that no soul knows what deeds it will perform tomorrow, reinforcing human ignorance of the unseen.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort in trusting Allah's absolute knowledge and power, relinquishing anxiety about the unknown future, while maintaining readiness for the Day of Judgment which may arrive unexpectedly. This ayah teaches humility before Divine wisdom and encourages focus on righteous deeds rather than speculation about unseen matters.