وَما أَمرُنا إِلّا واحِدَةٌ كَلَمحٍ بِالبَصَرِ

And Our command is but a single [word], like the twinkling of an eye.

EXEGESIS

Wāḥidah (single) is in the feminine form because it is the attribute of the implicit feminine noun, kalimah (word). Hence, the verse should be read: wa mā amrunā illā kalimatan wāḥidah. Most exegetes think this word is a reference to the existential Be (kun) mentioned in 36:82: All His command, when He wills something, is to say to it ‘Be,’ and it is.[1]

Some have suggested that based on 16:77, this verse could be referring to the final hour: The matter of the hour is just like the twinkling of an eye, or [even] swifter. Indeed Allah has power over all things.[2]

EXPOSITION

In light of the previous verse, this verse serves to clarify that for God, creation only requires God to will it, for the will of God is equivalent to His creating it and bringing it into existence. Time is just a dimension that God gives to His creation when He creates them, not that He is bound by time to bring things about. If man observes that certain matters, like the punishment in this context, are delayed, it is because God has measured its time and has written it in its creation. In other words, God’s creation happens instantly, it is the dimension of time which is measured and decreed for things that makes them happen at a certain time.

In this regard, Imam Ali (a) says: ‘When He intends to create something He says ‘Be,’ and it is [36:82], but not through a voice that strikes [the ears] nor by a call that is heard. Rather, indeed His speech is an act of His, He created it and gave it a form.’[3]

Based on this, the mentioning of twinkling of an eye is nothing but an example to indicate the instantaneous nature of how His will is manifested such that there is absolutely no time gap between His willing and something coming into existence. [4]

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Some have added that His word being but a single [word] is to indicate that whenever God wills something He does not need to order twice, in other words it indicates the definite implementation of His will.[5]

Others suggest that perhaps twinkling of an eye is to indicate the ease with which God creates, i.e. creation for Him is as easy as the twinkling of an eye.[6]

Some exegetes have mentioned that if this verse is read in line with the forthcoming verse then the meaning of amr can be understood to mean punishment and thus the verse is mentioning that whenever Allah wishes to send down a punishment on a people, His will is implemented immediately.[7]

[1] Munyah, 27/223; Qummi, 2/342.
[2] Abu al-Futuh, 18/232.
[3] Nahj, sermon 186.
[4] Munyah, 27/223; Mizan, 19/87.
[5] Razi, 29/327; Maraghi, 27/101.
[6] Qushayri, 3/500.
[7] Razi, 29/329.