وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْغَيْبُ لِلَّهِ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُنتَظِرِينَ 20
Translations
And they say, "Why is a sign not sent down to him from his Lord?" So say, "The unseen is only for Allāh [to administer], so wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
Transliteration
Wa yaqūlūna law lā unzila 'alayhi āyatun min rabbihi fa qul innamā al-ghayb lillāh fa intaẓirū innī ma'akum min al-muntaẓirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers demand a miraculous sign from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as proof of his message, but Allah responds through His Messenger that knowledge of the unseen belongs solely to Allah, and thus they should wait patiently as the Prophet himself awaits Allah's judgment. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this ayah emphasizes the limits of human knowledge and the exclusive prerogative of Allah regarding the unseen (ghayb), while the Prophet's patience in awaiting divine vindication serves as a model for believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is situated within the Meccan period when the disbelievers of Mecca persistently demanded tangible miracles beyond the Qur'an itself as proof of Muhammad's prophethood. The broader context of Surah Yunus addresses the stubbornness of those who reject faith despite clear signs, and this particular verse provides the Prophet's instructed response to their unreasonable demands.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (6595) where the Prophet said, 'The strongest amongst you in strength is the one who conquers himself while in anger' relates thematically to the patience required in this ayah. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains traditions about the Prophet's patience in facing rejection and mockery from the Meccans.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that demanding certainty about the future or ultimate divine plans reflects a misunderstanding of human limitations—true wisdom lies in accepting that only Allah possesses knowledge of the unseen and trusting in His wisdom and timing rather than insisting on immediate, visible proof.
Related Ayahs
عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
[He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, so high is He above what they associate [with Him].
ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا
Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein.
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُۥ
And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلْمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allāh - Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, over all things, Witness.