Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And they say: "When will be this promise (the torment or the Day of Resurrection), if you speak the truth?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَيَقُولُونَwayaqūlūnaAnd they say
مَتَىٰmatāWhen
هَـٰذَاhādhā(will) this
ٱلْوَعْدُl-waʿduthe promise (be fulfilled)
إِنinif
كُنتُمْkuntumyou are
صَـٰدِقِينَṣādiqīnatruthful
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 48) {وَيَقُوْلُوْنَمَتٰىهٰذَاالْوَعْدُ …:} When the disbelievers have no argument left against the resurrection of creation and their reckoning, their last resort is to say: Bring that Day of Judgment, why does that punishment not come, when will this promise you make be fulfilled? The answer to this is clear: when it is certain that an examination will take place, then if a person does not prepare for it or denies it merely because he is not told the date or the date sheet, what doubt can there be in such a person's lack of sense? But due to their insistence, Allah commanded His Messenger (peace be upon him) to give the answer that is in the next verse.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
48. And they say, "When will this threat [65] be fulfilled, if you are truthful?"
[65] The Mockery of the Disbelievers Regarding the Promise of Punishment and Its Response:
The disbelievers were warned that if they denied the signs of Allah, they would be met with humiliation and disgrace, and ultimately Islam would prevail. However, the disbelievers could not comprehend how this handful of oppressed and destitute Muslims could ever gain dominance over them. Therefore, they mockingly asked the Muslims, "Well, if you are truthful in your claim, when will this promise be fulfilled?" Allah has answered their mockery in two ways. First, Allah commanded His Messenger ﷺ to say to them that he does not possess any power over his own benefit or harm except as Allah wills; so how could he inflict punishment upon them? Inflicting punishment is Allah's prerogative, not his, nor has he ever claimed that he could subject them to punishment or that punishment would come at a specific time. However, when Allah wills, such punishment will certainly befall them. The second answer is that even regarding punishment, Allah has a law: He does not immediately seize someone for their sins and destroy them with punishment, but rather grants them respite to reform. Then, when after repeated warnings they still do not follow the right path, punishment befalls them at that time. When that time is, only Allah knows. And when the time for punishment arrives, there can be absolutely no advancement or delay in it. To specify the exact time of punishment is against Allah's practice, just as specifying the time of someone's death or the Day of Judgment is also against His practice, because in that case, this world would no longer remain a place of trial. Whereas Allah's will is that this world remains a place of trial and a place of action for mankind.