Sūrah An-NabaʾThe Great News · Makkah · 40 āyāt · 4 themes

The tafsīr in brief

About what are they asking one another? About the great news, over which they are in disagreement. No! They are going to know. Then, no! They are going to know.

• Give the resurrection serious attention rather than treating it as just another topic of debate. Its consequences outweigh ordinary worldly concerns.
• Do not mistake disagreement among people for evidence that the Day of Judgement will not happen. The warning answers disagreement with certainty.
• Pause over repeated warnings rather than passing over familiar words. Here, repetition calls for greater seriousness, not less attention.

The tafsīr in brief

Have We not made the earth a resting place, and the mountains as stakes? And We created you in pairs, and made your sleep for rest, and made the night as a covering, and the day for livelihood. And We built above you seven strong [heavens], and placed therein a burning lamp, and sent down from the rain-clouds pouring water, that We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation, and gardens of thick foliage.

• Notice what makes human life possible: a place to live and the creation of human pairs. Let these familiar realities prompt recognition of Allah's creative power.
• Do not let routine make you inattentive. Rest, night and the opportunity to earn a living can become daily reminders of the signs you depend upon.
• When considering resurrection, remember the scale of creation. The heavens and sun direct your attention to Allah's power rather than the limits of human ability.
• When you see rain or growing plants, connect the provision to its Giver. What sustains life also provides evidence of Allah's ability to resurrect.

The tafsīr in brief

Indeed, the Day of Decision is an appointed time — the Day the trumpet is blown and you come forth in multitudes, and the sky is opened and becomes gateways, and the mountains are moved and become a mirage. Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait — a home for the transgressors, remaining therein for ages, tasting therein neither coolness nor drink except boiling water and pus, a fitting repayment, for indeed they did not expect an account, and denied Our signs, denying totally, while We have enumerated everything in a record.

• Prepare for the appointed meeting rather than treating the familiar world as permanent. The crowds, opened sky, and vanished mountains show how completely present conditions will change.
• Take Allah’s limits seriously. This warning presents lasting punishment without relief as a fitting consequence, not a random misfortune.
• Examine the attitudes behind your choices: living without regard for accountability and dismissing Allah’s signs are central dangers named here.
• Do not confuse something being forgotten by people with it being erased from Allah’s record, or assume consequences will simply fade. Let this warning prompt honest self-examination now.

The tafsīr in brief

Indeed, for the righteous is attainment — gardens and grapevines, and full-breasted companions of equal age, and a full cup, wherein they will hear no vain talk or lying — a reward from your Lord, a gift sufficient, from the Lord of the heavens and earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful; none will have power of speech before Him except one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct. That is the True Day; so whoever wills may take a return to his Lord. Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment, the Day when a man will see what his hands have sent forth, and the disbeliever will say: oh, I wish I were dust!

• Let the promised abundance strengthen your desire to live righteously. The passage directs hope toward lasting success with Allah.
• Value peace in speech as well as material comfort. Practice leaving falsehood and worthless talk, while remembering that Paradise's blessings are gifts of Allah's mercy.
• Approach Allah with humility: His mercy does not mean anyone can claim independent authority before Him, not even the angels.
• Let certainty about the coming Day shape today's choices. Review what your actions are sending ahead and choose a way back to your Lord before regret arrives.