Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection): (5) Nay, but man desires...

Translation and Exegesis

Know that His saying: {Nay, but man desires} is a conjunction connected to A yahsabu (Does he think) [from the previous verse].

Therefore, two interpretations are possible for this phrase:

1. It can be interrogative, as if the speaker first asked about one thing and then asked about another.
2. It can be affirmative, as if the speaker first asked a question and then followed it up with this statement/declaration.

Regarding His saying: {to continue to be wicked before him} (or liyafujura amāmahu), there are two opinions:

1. First Opinion: It means he desires to persist in his wickedness in the time ahead of him, never abandoning it. Sa'id ibn Jubayr narrated that this means he commits sins now and postpones repentance, saying, "I will repent later," until death comes upon him while he is in the worst of states and worst of deeds.
2. Second Opinion: {to continue to be wicked before him} means he desires to deny what lies ahead of him—the Resurrection and the Reckoning. This is because whoever denies the truth is both a liar and a wicked person (fājir).

The evidence for this second opinion is His subsequent saying: {He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"} (Al-Qiyamah: 6).

Thus, the meaning is: Man desires to be wicked before him, meaning he denies the Day of Resurrection which is before him (imminent). Therefore, he asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?"—asking about its timing as an act of denial.

Then, the Almighty said:

! 7 < { He asks, "When is the Day of Resurrection?" } . > 7 !

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