10. Yunus

And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do! (41)And among them are some who listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear – even though they apprehend not (42)And among them are some who look at you, but can you guide the blind – even though they see not (43)Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves (44)

The Command to be Free and Clear from the Idolators

Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ: 'If these idolators belie you, then be clear from them and their deeds.'

فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ

(Say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds!") Similarly, Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ - لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

(Say: "O you disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship.")[109:1-2] to the end of the Surah. Ibrahim Al-Khalil (the Friend) and his followers said to the idolators among their people:

إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah)[60:4] Allah then said:

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who listen to you,)

They listen to your beautiful talk and to the Glorious Qur'an. They listen to your truthful, eloquent and authentic Hadiths that are useful to the hearts, the bodies and their faith. This is indeed a great benefit and is sufficient. But guiding the people to the truth is not up to you or to them. You cannot make the deaf hear. Therefore you cannot guide these people except if Allah wishes.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who look at you,)

They look at you and at what Allah has given you in terms of dignity, noble personality and great conduct. There is in all of this clear evidence of your prophethood to those who have reason and insight. Other people also look but they do not receive guidance like them. Believers look at you with respect and dignity while disbelievers regard you with contempt.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا

(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery.)[25:41]

Then Allah announces that He is never unjust with anyone. He guides whomever He wills and opens the eyes of the blind, makes the deaf hear and removes neglect from the hearts. At the same time He lets others go astray, moving away from faith. He does all of that yet He is always Just, for He is the Ruler and has full authority over His kingdom. He does whatever He wills without any restrictions. No one can question Him as to what He does while he will question everyone else. He is Omniscient, All-Wise, and All-Just. So Allah said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

(Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves.)

In the Hadith narrated by Abu Dharr, he states that the Prophet ﷺ related that His Lord, Exalted and High is He, said:

يَا عِبَادِي! إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا

(O My servant! I have prohibited oppression for Myself and made it prohibited for you, so do not …

And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do! (41)And among them are some who listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear – even though they apprehend not (42)And among them are some who look at you, but can you guide the blind – even though they see not (43)Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves (44)

The Command to be Free and Clear from the Idolators

Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ: 'If these idolators belie you, then be clear from them and their deeds.'

فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ

(Say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds!") Similarly, Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ - لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

(Say: "O you disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship.")[109:1-2] to the end of the Surah. Ibrahim Al-Khalil (the Friend) and his followers said to the idolators among their people:

إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah)[60:4] Allah then said:

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who listen to you,)

They listen to your beautiful talk and to the Glorious Qur'an. They listen to your truthful, eloquent and authentic Hadiths that are useful to the hearts, the bodies and their faith. This is indeed a great benefit and is sufficient. But guiding the people to the truth is not up to you or to them. You cannot make the deaf hear. Therefore you cannot guide these people except if Allah wishes.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who look at you,)

They look at you and at what Allah has given you in terms of dignity, noble personality and great conduct. There is in all of this clear evidence of your prophethood to those who have reason and insight. Other people also look but they do not receive guidance like them. Believers look at you with respect and dignity while disbelievers regard you with contempt.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا

(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery.)[25:41]

Then Allah announces that He is never unjust with anyone. He guides whomever He wills and opens the eyes of the blind, makes the deaf hear and removes neglect from the hearts. At the same time He lets others go astray, moving away from faith. He does all of that yet He is always Just, for He is the Ruler and has full authority over His kingdom. He does whatever He wills without any restrictions. No one can question Him as to what He does while he will question everyone else. He is Omniscient, All-Wise, and All-Just. So Allah said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

(Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves.)

In the Hadith narrated by Abu Dharr, he states that the Prophet ﷺ related that His Lord, Exalted and High is He, said:

يَا عِبَادِي! إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا

(O My servant! I have prohibited oppression for Myself and made it prohibited for you, so do not …

And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do! (41)And among them are some who listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear – even though they apprehend not (42)And among them are some who look at you, but can you guide the blind – even though they see not (43)Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves (44)

The Command to be Free and Clear from the Idolators

Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ: 'If these idolators belie you, then be clear from them and their deeds.'

فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ

(Say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds!") Similarly, Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ - لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

(Say: "O you disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship.")[109:1-2] to the end of the Surah. Ibrahim Al-Khalil (the Friend) and his followers said to the idolators among their people:

إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah)[60:4] Allah then said:

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who listen to you,)

They listen to your beautiful talk and to the Glorious Qur'an. They listen to your truthful, eloquent and authentic Hadiths that are useful to the hearts, the bodies and their faith. This is indeed a great benefit and is sufficient. But guiding the people to the truth is not up to you or to them. You cannot make the deaf hear. Therefore you cannot guide these people except if Allah wishes.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who look at you,)

They look at you and at what Allah has given you in terms of dignity, noble personality and great conduct. There is in all of this clear evidence of your prophethood to those who have reason and insight. Other people also look but they do not receive guidance like them. Believers look at you with respect and dignity while disbelievers regard you with contempt.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا

(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery.)[25:41]

Then Allah announces that He is never unjust with anyone. He guides whomever He wills and opens the eyes of the blind, makes the deaf hear and removes neglect from the hearts. At the same time He lets others go astray, moving away from faith. He does all of that yet He is always Just, for He is the Ruler and has full authority over His kingdom. He does whatever He wills without any restrictions. No one can question Him as to what He does while he will question everyone else. He is Omniscient, All-Wise, and All-Just. So Allah said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

(Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves.)

In the Hadith narrated by Abu Dharr, he states that the Prophet ﷺ related that His Lord, Exalted and High is He, said:

يَا عِبَادِي! إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا

(O My servant! I have prohibited oppression for Myself and made it prohibited for you, so do not …

And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do! (41)And among them are some who listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear – even though they apprehend not (42)And among them are some who look at you, but can you guide the blind – even though they see not (43)Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves (44)

The Command to be Free and Clear from the Idolators

Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ: 'If these idolators belie you, then be clear from them and their deeds.'

فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ

(Say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds!") Similarly, Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ - لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

(Say: "O you disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship.")[109:1-2] to the end of the Surah. Ibrahim Al-Khalil (the Friend) and his followers said to the idolators among their people:

إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah)[60:4] Allah then said:

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who listen to you,)

They listen to your beautiful talk and to the Glorious Qur'an. They listen to your truthful, eloquent and authentic Hadiths that are useful to the hearts, the bodies and their faith. This is indeed a great benefit and is sufficient. But guiding the people to the truth is not up to you or to them. You cannot make the deaf hear. Therefore you cannot guide these people except if Allah wishes.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ

(And among them are some who look at you,)

They look at you and at what Allah has given you in terms of dignity, noble personality and great conduct. There is in all of this clear evidence of your prophethood to those who have reason and insight. Other people also look but they do not receive guidance like them. Believers look at you with respect and dignity while disbelievers regard you with contempt.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا

(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery.)[25:41]

Then Allah announces that He is never unjust with anyone. He guides whomever He wills and opens the eyes of the blind, makes the deaf hear and removes neglect from the hearts. At the same time He lets others go astray, moving away from faith. He does all of that yet He is always Just, for He is the Ruler and has full authority over His kingdom. He does whatever He wills without any restrictions. No one can question Him as to what He does while he will question everyone else. He is Omniscient, All-Wise, and All-Just. So Allah said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

(Truly, Allah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves.)

In the Hadith narrated by Abu Dharr, he states that the Prophet ﷺ related that His Lord, Exalted and High is He, said:

يَا عِبَادِي! إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا

(O My servant! I have prohibited oppression for Myself and made it prohibited for you, so do not …

And on the Day when He shall gather them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed (in the life of this world and graves) but an hour of a day. They will recognize each other. Ruined indeed will be those who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided (45)

The Feeling of Brevity toward the Worldly Life at the Gathering on the Day of Resurrection

To remind people of the establishment of the Hour and their resurrection from their graves to the gathering for the Day of Judgment, Allah says:

وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ

(And on the Day when He shall gather (resurrect) them.) Similarly Allah said:

كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّن نَّهَارٍ

(On the Day when they will see that (torment) with which they are promised (threatened, it will be) as if they had not stayed more than an hour in a single day.)[46:35]

Allah also said:

كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَهَا لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا عَشِيَّةً أَوْ ضُحَاهَا

(The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning.)[79:46]

يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ ۚ وَنَحْشُرُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ زُرْقًا - يَتَخَافَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا - نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذْ يَقُولُ أَمْثَلُهُمْ طَرِيقَةً إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا يَوْمًا

(The Day when the Trumpet will be blown (the second blowing): that Day, We shall gather the criminals, blue eyed. They will speak in a very low voice to each other (saying): "You stayed not longer than ten (days)." We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: "You stayed no longer than a day!")[20:102-104] and,

وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ يُقْسِمُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ مَا لَبِثُوا غَيْرَ سَاعَةٍ

(And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the criminals will swear that they stayed not but an hour.)[30:55]

These all are evidence of the brevity of the worldly life compared to the Hereafter. Allah said:

قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ - قَالُوا لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ فَاسْأَلِ الْعَادِّينَ - قَالَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ لَّوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

(He (Allah) will say: "What number of years did you stay on earth?" They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account." He (Allah) will say: "You stayed not but a little, if you had only known!")[23:112-114]

Allah then said:

يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ

(They will recognize each other)

The children will know their parents and relatives will recognize one another. They will know them just like they used to know them during the life in this world. However, on that Day everyone will be busy with himself. Allah then said:

فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَلَا أَنسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ

(Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them.)[23:101] Allah also said:

وَلَا يَسْأَلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًا

(And no friend will ask a friend (about his condition).)[70:10]

Allah then said:

قَدْ خَسِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِلِقَاءِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ

(Ruined indeed will be those who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided.)

This is similar to …

Whether We show you some of what We promise them (the torment), or We cause you to die – still unto Us is their return, and moreover Allah is Witness over what they used to do (46)And for every Ummah there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged (47)

The Criminals will certainly be avenged – whether in This World or in the Hereafter

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ:

وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ

(Whether We show you some of what We promise them (the torment),) We shall avenge them in your lifetime so your eye will be delighted.

أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ

(Or We cause you to die – still unto Us is their return,) Allah will then be the Witness watching over their actions for you. Allah then said,

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ رَسُولُهُمْ

(And for every Ummah there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes,) Mujahid said: "This will be on the Day of Resurrection.

قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ

(the matter will be judged between them with justice,) is similar to the Ayah:

وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا

(And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord (Allah),)[39:69] So every nation will be presented before Allah in the presence of its Messenger and the Book of its deeds. All good and evil deeds will be witnessed upon them. Their guardian angels will be witnesses too. The nations will be brought forth, one by one.

Our noble Ummah, while it is the last of the nations, is the first one on the Day of Resurrection to be questioned and judged. This was stated by Allah's Messenger in a Hadith recorded by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:

نَحْنُ الْآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، الْمَقْضِيُّ لَهُمْ قَبْلَ الْخَلَائِقِ

(We are the last, the first on the Day of Resurrection. We will be judged before the rest of the creatures.) His Ummah attains the honor of precedence only by the honor of its Messenger , may Allah's peace and blesings be upon him forever, until the Day of Judgement.

Whether We show you some of what We promise them (the torment), or We cause you to die – still unto Us is their return, and moreover Allah is Witness over what they used to do (46)And for every Ummah there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged (47)

The Criminals will certainly be avenged – whether in This World or in the Hereafter

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ:

وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ

(Whether We show you some of what We promise them (the torment),) We shall avenge them in your lifetime so your eye will be delighted.

أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ

(Or We cause you to die – still unto Us is their return,) Allah will then be the Witness watching over their actions for you. Allah then said,

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ رَسُولُهُمْ

(And for every Ummah there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes,) Mujahid said: "This will be on the Day of Resurrection.

قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ

(the matter will be judged between them with justice,) is similar to the Ayah:

وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا

(And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord (Allah),)[39:69] So every nation will be presented before Allah in the presence of its Messenger and the Book of its deeds. All good and evil deeds will be witnessed upon them. Their guardian angels will be witnesses too. The nations will be brought forth, one by one.

Our noble Ummah, while it is the last of the nations, is the first one on the Day of Resurrection to be questioned and judged. This was stated by Allah's Messenger in a Hadith recorded by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:

نَحْنُ الْآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، الْمَقْضِيُّ لَهُمْ قَبْلَ الْخَلَائِقِ

(We are the last, the first on the Day of Resurrection. We will be judged before the rest of the creatures.) His Ummah attains the honor of precedence only by the honor of its Messenger , may Allah's peace and blesings be upon him forever, until the Day of Judgement.

And they say: "When will be this promise (the torment or the Day of Resurrection), if you speak the truth? (48)Say: "I have no power over any harm or profit for myself except what Allah may will. For every Ummah, there is a term appointed; when their term comes, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment). (49)Say: "Tell me, if His torment should come to you by night or by day, which portion thereof would the criminals hasten on? (50)Is it then that when it has actually befallen, you will believe in it? What! Now (you believe) And you used (aforetime) to hasten it on! (51)Then it will be said to them who wronged themselves: "Taste you the everlasting torment! Are you recompensed (aught) save what you used to earn? (52)

The Deniers of the Day of Resurrection wish to hasten its Coming and their Response

Allah told us about the idolators who reject faith through their demand that the punishment be hastened, inquiring about the time of punishment. The response to such question is not inherently beneficial, yet they inquired anyway. Allah said:

يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth.)[42:18] They know that it is the truth for it is definitely going to happen. It is going to take place even if they have no idea when it will occur. This is why Allah instructed His Messenger to answer them saying:

قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا

(Say: "I have no power over any harm or profit to myself.")[10:49, 7:188] I will not say except what He has taught me. I also have no authority over anything that Allah has not shown to me. I am Allah's servant and His Messenger to you. I was told that the Hour is going to come, but He has not told me when it will occur. But,

لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ

(For every Ummah, there is a term appointed;) meaning that for every generation or community there is a set term appointed for them. When the end of that term approaches,

فَلَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ

(neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).) This is similar to what Allah said in another Ayah:

وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا

(And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes.)[63:11] Allah instructed His Messenger ﷺ to tell the people that His punishment would come suddenly. He said:

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَتَاكُمْ عَذَابُهُ بَيَاتًا أَوْ نَهَارًا مَّاذَا يَسْتَعْجِلُ مِنْهُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ - أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ آمَنتُم بِهِ ۚ آلْآنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ

(Say: "Tell me, if His torment should come to you by night or by day, which portion thereof would the criminals hasten on Is it then that when it has actually befallen, you will believe in it What! Now (you believe) And you used (aforetime) to hasten it on!") When the punishment befalls them, they will say:

رَبَّنَا أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا

("Our Lord! We have now seen and heard.")(32:12) Allah also said:

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا …

And they say: "When will be this promise (the torment or the Day of Resurrection), if you speak the truth? (48)Say: "I have no power over any harm or profit for myself except what Allah may will. For every Ummah, there is a term appointed; when their term comes, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment). (49)Say: "Tell me, if His torment should come to you by night or by day, which portion thereof would the criminals hasten on? (50)Is it then that when it has actually befallen, you will believe in it? What! Now (you believe) And you used (aforetime) to hasten it on! (51)Then it will be said to them who wronged themselves: "Taste you the everlasting torment! Are you recompensed (aught) save what you used to earn? (52)

The Deniers of the Day of Resurrection wish to hasten its Coming and their Response

Allah told us about the idolators who reject faith through their demand that the punishment be hastened, inquiring about the time of punishment. The response to such question is not inherently beneficial, yet they inquired anyway. Allah said:

يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth.)[42:18] They know that it is the truth for it is definitely going to happen. It is going to take place even if they have no idea when it will occur. This is why Allah instructed His Messenger to answer them saying:

قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا

(Say: "I have no power over any harm or profit to myself.")[10:49, 7:188] I will not say except what He has taught me. I also have no authority over anything that Allah has not shown to me. I am Allah's servant and His Messenger to you. I was told that the Hour is going to come, but He has not told me when it will occur. But,

لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ

(For every Ummah, there is a term appointed;) meaning that for every generation or community there is a set term appointed for them. When the end of that term approaches,

فَلَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ

(neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).) This is similar to what Allah said in another Ayah:

وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا

(And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes.)[63:11] Allah instructed His Messenger ﷺ to tell the people that His punishment would come suddenly. He said:

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَتَاكُمْ عَذَابُهُ بَيَاتًا أَوْ نَهَارًا مَّاذَا يَسْتَعْجِلُ مِنْهُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ - أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ آمَنتُم بِهِ ۚ آلْآنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ

(Say: "Tell me, if His torment should come to you by night or by day, which portion thereof would the criminals hasten on Is it then that when it has actually befallen, you will believe in it What! Now (you believe) And you used (aforetime) to hasten it on!") When the punishment befalls them, they will say:

رَبَّنَا أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا

("Our Lord! We have now seen and heard.")(32:12) Allah also said:

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا …