وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ 104
Translations
And We do not delay it except for a limited term.
Transliteration
Wa mā nu'akhkhiruhu illā li-ajal ma'ddūd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah does not delay the Day of Judgment except for a specific, predetermined term known only to Him. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that despite the apparent delay from humanity's perspective, the Hour has an appointed time that is fully determined by Allah's wisdom. The verse emphasizes divine sovereignty over time and the inevitability of the Final Day, serving as a response to those who mock the concept of resurrection or question why it has not yet occurred.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Hud's discussion of the Day of Judgment and responses to those who deny it. The broader surah addresses disbelievers' mockery of the prophets' warnings about the Hour, and this verse provides reassurance that despite their ridicule, the appointed time remains fixed and will certainly arrive.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Hour will not be established until... time passes quickly' (Sahih Muslim 2958), indicating the appointed time draws near. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari 4735, the Prophet emphasized the certainty of the Hour's arrival, though its exact time remains unknown to creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers should maintain certainty in Allah's promises and not be swayed by disbelievers' ridicule or the apparent delay of divine justice. Understanding that all events unfold according to Allah's precise wisdom should encourage patience, steadfastness in faith, and continued obedience regardless of worldly circumstances.
Related Ayahs
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
[They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends.
وَلَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِى خَزَآئِنُ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ وَلَآ أَقُولُ إِنِّى مَلَكٌ وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزْدَرِىٓ أَعْيُنُكُمْ لَن يُؤْتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرًا ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ إِنِّىٓ إِذًا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allāh or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel, nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allāh will never grant them any good. Allāh is most knowing of what is within their souls. Indeed, I would then be among the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust]."
وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبْنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ
And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!"
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ
And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.