ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَإٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ 47
Translations
Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allāh of which there is no repelling. No refuge will you have that Day, nor for you will there be any denial.
Transliteration
Istajībū li-rabbikum min qabli an ya'tiya yawmun lā maradda lahu min-Allāh. Mā lakum min maljaʾin yawmā'idhin wa-mā lakum min nakīr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to respond to Allah's call and obey Him before the arrival of the Day of Judgment, a day whose coming cannot be averted by anyone. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that there will be no refuge or escape on that Day, and no one will deny or reject the reality of standing before Allah in judgment. Al-Qurtubi notes that 'Istajībū' (respond/obey) encompasses accepting the message of Allah and acting upon it in all aspects of life.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs including divine unity, prophethood, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. The broader context of this surah emphasizes consultation (shura) and obedience to Allah's commands. This particular verse serves as a stern reminder to the Quraysh and all humanity about the urgency of responding to Allah's guidance before death and the Last Day overtake them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing the importance of responding to Allah's message. Additionally, the hadith 'Repent to Allah before you die' (Tirmidhi 3499) echoes the urgent call in this ayah to respond to Allah while life permits.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the critical importance of responding to Allah's guidance and commandments without delay, as the opportunity to do so in this life is temporary and finite. It serves as a spiritual wake-up call that true security and refuge can only be found through obedience to Allah in the present life, before the certainty of the afterlife.