Intermediate
The Hereafter
Surah: An-Naba (17)
Indeed the Day of Judgement Is an Appointed Time — The Precision of Divine Timing on Judgment Day
إِنَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَصۡلِ كَانَ مِيقَٰتٗا
— النبأ الآية 17
Verse: "Indeed the Day of Decision is an appointed time — the day the Horn is blown and you come in crowds." (78:17-18) — "Miqat" = a set appointment that is neither delayed nor advanced. Allah announces Judgment Day as an "appointment" — it does not happen by chance or uncalculated suddenness. Then "you come in crowds" — each with their likes. Surah An-Naba opens with the disbelievers' question: "What are they asking about? The great news" — then delays the answer like suspense. The great news = Judgment Day = the cosmic appointment. Lesson: disbelievers hastened the Hour in mockery — had they known what it contains they would have feared and not hastened.
Source: Ibn Kathir (8/296); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What is the "great news" the disbelievers are asking about in Surah An-Naba?
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