Ruh al-Ma'ani on An-Naml 27:71

Surah An-Naml 27:71



ﲣ ﲤ ﲥ ﲦ ﲧ ﲨ ﲩ

And they say, "When is [the fulfillment of] this promise, if you should be truthful?"

And they say, "When is this promise?"

(Meaning: the imminent punishment that has been promised.) It is as if they understood the promise of punishment from the command to travel [through the earth] and observe the fate of those like them who denied [the truth]. From this, one can discern the reason for the expression "they say" and the deviation from the pattern of the preceding verses—namely, "And those who disbelieved said."

Their inquiry regarding the time of this punishment’s arrival is by way of mockery and denial; hence they said:

"If you should be truthful."

(Meaning: If you are truthful in your reporting of its arrival, then specify its time for us.) The use of the plural [in "truthful"] is in consideration of the participation of the believers in that report.

Tafsir of An-Naml 27:71

Ruh al-Ma'ani

And they say, "When is this promise?"

"If you should be truthful."