أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا ۖ ذَٰلِكَ رَجْعٌۢ بَعِيدٌ 3
Translations
When we have died and have become dust, [we will return to life]? That is a distant [i.e., unlikely] return."
Transliteration
A-i-dha mitna wa kunna turaban, dhalika raj'un ba'id
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' rhetorical objection to the concept of resurrection, expressing their incredulity that they could be brought back to life after death and decomposition into dust. The phrase "dhalika raj'un ba'id" (that is a far return) emphasizes how distant and implausible such a resurrection appears to the human mind when considered without faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that Allah responds to this objection not with mere assertion, but by directing attention to His creative power demonstrated throughout the universe—if He created them initially, returning them is equally possible.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Qaf's broader context of addressing Meccan polytheists who rejected the Quran and the concept of life after death. The surah opens with the miraculous letter 'Qaf' and challenges these deniers by presenting evidence of Allah's power in creation. This specific verse reflects the common taunt of the disbelievers toward the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding resurrection, which was a central point of contention between believers and non-believers in early Islamic Medina and Mecca.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4735: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The most disliked day to the devil is Friday,' connecting to themes of resurrection and the Day of Judgment that the disbelievers mocked. Also relevant is Sahih Muslim 2940, which discusses resurrection and Allah's ability to recreate creation, directly addressing the skepticism expressed in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that disbelief often stems from the limitations of human perception rather than logical impossibility—what seems 'far' to our limited minds is entirely within Allah's infinite power. It encourages believers to trust in Allah's promises of the afterlife despite the apparent implausibility to the worldly mind.