Tafsir of Al-Qamar 54:26

Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon): Verse 26

سيعلمون غدا من . . . . . (They will know tomorrow who...)

If someone asks: The word sa-ya'lamūna (سيعلمون - they will know) refers to the future. At the time the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), they had already known [the truth] because matters become clear after death, and they had witnessed what they witnessed. So, what is the explanation for this?

We say: There are two interpretations:

1. The statement is hypothetical, referring to the time they made the accusation: It is as if God is saying, at the moment they said, "He is but a lying, insolent one" (referring to the Prophet), God responded, "They will know tomorrow."
2. The threat refers to the painful punishment, not the mere acquisition of knowledge: This threat pertains to the punishment of Hellfire, not the punishment of the grave. They will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, which is in the future. God's statement, "tomorrow" (ghadan), refers to the near proximity of that time in possibility and perception.

Furthermore, if we maintain that this refers to the threat of punishment and not the refutation of their lie, then there is no need to interpret it as a clarification of the truth. Rather, it becomes a repetition of their statement without intending its literal meaning (i.e., they will know they were wrong).

However, if we hold that it is a rebuttal and a promise that the matter will become clear, then God's statement "They will know tomorrow" means: Tomorrow they will know that they were the liars who fabricated falsehood, not out of necessity or compulsion, but out of arrogance and insolence due to their self-sufficiency.

The word "tomorrow" (ghadan) can mean:

• The Day of Resurrection.
• The Day of Punishment (which aligns with the first interpretation mentioned above).

ثم قال تعالى : { إنا مرسلوا الناقة فتنة لهم فارتقبهم واصطبر }

Then the Almighty said: "Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as a trial for them, so await [their fate] and be patient."