فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ 26
Translations
So where are you going?
Transliteration
Fa-ayna tadhhabun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to humanity: 'So where are you going?' It serves as a powerful call to reflection on the ultimate destination and purpose of life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah questioning the direction of human efforts and priorities—whether people are heading toward obedience to Allah and the Hereafter, or toward misguidance and worldly pursuits. The ayah emphasizes human accountability and the need to reconsider one's life trajectory in light of the Day of Judgment discussed throughout the surah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah At-Takwir, a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the Prophet faced considerable opposition. The surah focuses on the signs of the Day of Judgment and the certainty of resurrection, making this ayah a climactic rhetorical challenge to those who reject the Message and deny the afterlife.
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' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), which relates thematically to the ayah's call to redirect one's path toward righteousness. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet emphasized remembrance of death as a means to correct one's direction in life.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to pause and honestly assess the direction of their lives and priorities—are we truly oriented toward Allah's pleasure and the Hereafter, or have we become lost in worldly distractions? It serves as a timeless reminder that every person will be held accountable for the path they choose, urging conscious and deliberate alignment with Islamic values.