The Ocean of the Quran

A verse by verse explanation of The Ultimate Scripture

Al-Zukhruf – Verse 66

هَل يَنظُرونَ إِلَّا السّاعَةَ أَن تَأتِيَهُم بَغتَةً وَهُم لا يَشعُرونَ

Do they await anything but that the hour should overtake them suddenly, while they are unaware?

EXEGESIS

The question posed in this verse is a rhetorical question to emphasise that they do not await anything but that the hour should overtake them, Obviously, the polytheists were not waiting for the hour, let alone it being their only preoccupation. Rather, the verse exposes their true condition – that they are heedless of it, even though the resurrection is their inevitable future. It is as though they are awaiting nothing other than its arrival. This is similar to a man afflicted by a deadly poison who refuses to heed the advice of a counsellor; it may then be said of him: ‘This man awaits nothing but for death to sink its claws into him.’‎[1]

Sāʿah (hour) literally denotes a short or brief period of time. In many Quranic verses, however, it refers specifically to the final moment of the life of this world, when the processes marking the end of the world begins.

There are, in fact, two events referred to as ‘the hour’, both characterised by suddenness: the annihilation of the world, and the rising of humankind before the Lord of the worlds on the Day of Judgement.‎[2] The span between them is known only to God, And the trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens will swoon and whoever is on the earth, except whomever Allah wishes. Then it will be blown a second time, behold, they will rise up, looking on! (39:68).

Some exegetes suggest that the Day of Judgement has been named as such because of the nearness of its occurrence, as though it were to happen within a single hour.‎[3]

The question then arises: which of these two events is meant here by the hour?

Apparently, the hour here refers to the end of the world – as that is the day that will overtake people suddenly and without their awareness. As God says, They do not await but a single cry that would seize them as they wrangle. Then they will not be able to make any will, nor will they return to their folks (36:49-50).‎[4]

Being unaware means being heedless of the Day of Judgement due to being preoccupied with worldly affairs.‎[5]

EXPOSITION

The previous verses dealt with the polytheists and idol worshippers. Tangentially, the discourse shifted to the stories of Prophet Moses (a) and Prophet Jesus (a). Since the purpose of recounting their stories was fulfilled, this verse returns to the main theme of the surah, namely addressing those who deny the resurrection and its occurrence, i.e. the polytheists of Mecca.‎[6] Some exegetes, however, opine that this verse could be referring to the wrongdoers mentioned in the previous verse, i.e. those factions who differed over Prophet Jesus (a).‎[7]

As the previous verse ended with a mention of a painful day, the reader might wonder when is this painful day supposed to come. In response, this verse mentions how that day will suddenly appear.‎[8]

The precise timing of the Day of Judgement is known only to God, as affirmed in several verses (7:187, 31:34, and verse 85). While people frequently question the Holy Prophet about its occurrence – sometimes out of denial or mockery (51:12, 79:42) – the Quran emphasises that it will arrive unexpectedly, in the twinkling of an eye or even faster (16:77). On that day it will appear to humanity as though worldly life had lasted only part of an evening or a morning (79:42-46).‎[9]

The verse mentions two qualities of the hour: its being sudden and people being unaware of its arrival. These two are not synonymous. It is possible for something to arrive suddenly but because of our prior knowledge of it, we are prepared for it. In this case, however, the verse describes the ill fortune of these people such that not only will they be surprised by the transition to the Day of Judgement, but because of their heedlessness, they would not have prepared for it in any way.‎[10] This image has been captured in a narration attributed to the Holy Prophet: ‘The hour shall arise while two men are milking an ewe, and [while] two men are folding a garment.’ Then the Prophet recited this verse.‎[11]

A similar threat was issued in 12:107, Do they feel secure from being overtaken by a blanket punishment from Allah, or being overtaken by the hour, suddenly, while they are unaware? and in 47:18, Do they await anything except that the hour should overtake them suddenly? Certainly, its portents have come. Of what avail to them will their admonition be when it overtakes them? See also 26:202, 29:53, and 39:55.

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

It has been said that the verse does not mean that the disbelievers were consciously waiting for the hour, since they did not truly believe in it or expect it. Rather, the meaning is: Is anything left for them except that the hour should come upon them? On this reading, ‘waiting’ is attributed to them figuratively: they are not awaiting the hour in faith or expectation, but their condition is such that nothing remains ahead of them except its sudden arrival.‎[12]

Some exegetes hold that the hour mentioned in this verse refers to the moment of death. In other words, while people remain absorbed in their wrongdoing and idolatry, death will suddenly overtake them. The Quran repeatedly warns humanity to remain vigilant regarding the state of their faith at the time of death. Prophet Jacob (a) exhorts his children not to die except in submission to God (2:132).

Some exegetes suggest that perhaps the reason why the Day of Judgement is called ‘the hour’ is because its events will occur with such swiftness as though they take place within a single hour.‎[13] However, this seems to go against those verses that emphasise the long duration of the Day of Judgement, such as, The angels and the spirit ascend to Him in a day whose span is fifty thousand years (70:4).

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

  1. For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare; So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.‎[14]
  2. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.‎[15]
  3. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.‎[16]
  4. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.‎[17]
  5. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.‎[18]
  6. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.‎[19] 
[1] Munyah, 25/241; Hadi, 3/253.
[2] Amthal, 16/89; Hadi, 3/253.
[3] Tibyan, 9/213.
[4] Hadi, 3/254.
[5] Mizan, 18/120.
[6] Daqaiq, 12/93; Alusi, 13/96; Jalalayn, 1/497; Munyah, 25/241; Hadi, 3/253.
[7] Tabari, 20/639; Mubin, p. 654.
[8] Ibn Ashur, 25/285.
[9] Atyab, 12/52.
[10] Amthal, 16/89.
[11] Suyuti, 6/21; Bursawi, 25/89.
[12] Tibyan, 9/213.
[13] Mehr, 18/373; Amthal, 16/89.
[14] Ecclesiastes 9:12.
[15] Matthew 24:42-44.
[16] Mark 13:32-33.
[17] Luke 12:40.
[18] Luke 21:34-35.
[19] 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4.