Tafsir of An-Nazi'at 79:42

Surah An-Nazi'at (79): Verse 42

{يسألونك عن الساعة أيان مرساها} (They ask you about the Hour, "When is its arrival?")

Tafsir Points:

1. Context: After Allah established the possibility of the Resurrection through rational proof, mentioned its occurrence, described its general states, and detailed the states of the wretched and the fortunate therein, He then stated: {They ask you about the Hour, "When is its arrival?"}

2. The Disbelievers' Inquiry: The polytheists heard the affirmation of the Resurrection and its terrifying descriptions (such as Tammah, Sakhkhah, Qari'ah). They asked, {When is its arrival?} out of mockery.
   • This might be a pretense to their followers that the Resurrection has no basis.
   • Alternatively, they were genuinely hastening the Prophet (PBUH) regarding the time of the Hour, similar to the verse: “Those who do not believe in it are eager for it to happen quickly” (Ash-Shura: 18).

3. Meaning of Marsaha (Arrival/Setting Anchor): There are two interpretations for the word Marsaha (its setting anchor/arrival):
   • First Meaning: When will it be established (Irsā’uhā)? Meaning, when will Allah establish it, bring it into existence, and actualize it?
   • Second Meaning: Ayyān (When) refers to its ultimate destination or resting place, just as the anchor point (Marsā) of a ship is where it finally comes to rest.

Allah's Response:

{فيم أنت من ذكراها} (In what concern are you of mentioning it?)

There are two interpretations for this response:

1. Interpretation 1 (Focus on the Prophet's Concern): The meaning is: "In what matter are you regarding reminding them of its time and clarifying that specific moment for them?" This is like saying to someone who asks about something inappropriate for them: "What concern do you have with this, and what is your role in it?"
   • It is narrated from Aisha (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept mentioning and being asked about the Hour until this verse was revealed.
   • Under this view, the verse expresses astonishment at the Prophet's frequent mention of it, as if to say: "In what preoccupation and concern are you regarding mentioning it and being questioned about it?" The implication is: They ask you about it, and due to your eagerness to answer them, you constantly mention it and inquire about it.

2. Interpretation 2 (Focus on the Knowledge):
   • {إلى ربك منتهاها} (To your Lord is its final limit/end): The ultimate knowledge of its time has not been given to anyone among His creation.
   • Alternative meaning for {فيم أنت من ذكراها}: Some scholars suggest that Fīm (In what concern) is a rebuke of their questioning itself: "Why this question?"
   • Then, {أنت من ذكراها} means: "You were sent as the Seal of the Prophets and the last Messenger to mention its signs and one category of its portents. That is sufficient proof for them that it is near and necessitates preparation; there is no benefit in their questioning about its specific time."

{إنما أنت منذر من يخشاها} (You are only a warner to those who fear it.)