يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا 103
Translations
They will murmur among themselves, "You remained not but ten [days in the world]."
Transliteration
Yatakhāfatūna baynahum in labíthtum illā áshará
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Paradise whispering among themselves that they remained in the worldly life for only ten days or nights. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this reflects the perception of time in the Hereafter—where the duration of one's earthly life will seem remarkably brief in comparison to eternity, emphasizing how fleeting worldly life truly is. The whispering (yatakhāfatūn) suggests their amazement and contemplation upon realizing how quickly their earthly existence passed.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Taha's description of the Day of Judgment and the ultimate reckoning. It is part of a broader Meccan passage addressing the disbelievers' denial of the resurrection and the afterlife, reminding them that when they enter Paradise, they will recognize the brevity of their worldly existence compared to eternity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The people of Paradise will look at the inhabitants of the lofty mansions above them as you look at the distant stars in the sky' (Sahih Bukhari 3245), and in another hadith regarding the perception of time: 'The believer's shade on the Day of Judgment will be his charity' (Sahih Bukhari 1447), both relating to the Hereafter's reality transcending worldly perception.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that our earthly lives, regardless of their apparent length, are infinitesimal compared to eternal existence, encouraging believers to prioritize spiritual preparation and righteous deeds over worldly attachments. It should inspire contemplation on how we spend our limited time and what legacy of faith and good works we leave behind.