Tafsir of Ad-Dhariyat 51:12

Adh-Dhariyat (The Scatterers): Verse 12

They ask, "When is the Day [of Judgment]?"

If it is asked: The term for time (zamān) is typically used as an adverbial modifier for actions (af'āl), and it is not possible for one time-modifier to be the adverbial modifier for another. Here, however, Ayyān (When) is made the adverbial modifier for the noun Yawm (Day), as in: {Ayyān Yawmu ad-Dīn} (When is the Day of Recompense?).

We say, "When will Zayd arrive?" and the answer is, "On Friday" (Yawm al-Jumu'ah). We do not say, "When is Friday?" (Matā Yawm al-Jumu'ah).

The Answer: The implied structure is: "When will the Day of Recompense be?" (Ayyān yakūnu Yawmu ad-Dīn).

The word {Ayyān} is a compound formed from Ayy (which is used for inquiry) and Ān (which signifies time), or perhaps from Ayy and Awān (time/period). Thus, it is as if they are asking, "At what time?"

This question is a response to the statement: {And indeed, the religion [i.e., recompense] is surely coming} (referring to a preceding verse). It is as if they are mockingly asking, "When will it happen?"

The omission of the preposition "from whom" in {They ask} (Yas'alūn) indicates that their objective is not to receive an answer, but rather they are asking out of mockery and derision.

{The Day they will be tried over the Fire.} (7:12)