Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 77
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ {وَ مَاۤ اَمْرُ السَّاعَةِ اِلَّا كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ … : ’’ السَّاعَةِ ‘‘} the smallest part of time, refers to the Hour (Day of Judgment), because it will suddenly be established in such a short time. In {’’ اَوْ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ ‘‘}, {’’ اَوْ ‘‘} means {’’ بَلْ ‘‘}, as it is said about Yunus (peace be upon him): «{ وَ اَرْسَلْنٰهُ اِلٰى مِائَةِ اَلْفٍ اَوْ يَزِيْدُوْنَ }» [ الصافات : ۱۴۷ ] "And We sent him to a hundred thousand, rather, they were more." Elsewhere, regarding Our command (KUN), it is said: «{ وَ مَاۤ اَمْرُنَاۤ اِلَّا وَاحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِالْبَصَرِ }» [ القمر : ۵۰ ] "And Our command is but one, like the twinkling of an eye." And here {’’ اَوْ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ ‘‘} is mentioned, because even the blinking of an eye takes some time, but the Hour will be established in even less time than that. This is not difficult for Allah Almighty, because He has complete power over everything.
Some scholars have also explained its meaning as: you consider the Hour to be very far, whereas it is, in the sight of Allah Almighty, even closer than the blinking of an eye, as He said: «{ اِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهٗ بَعِيْدًا (6) وَ نَرٰىهُ قَرِيْبًا }» [ المعارج : ۶، ۷ ] "Indeed, they see it as distant, but We see it as near."
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.
77. 2. That is, it is a proof of His perfect power that the vast and expansive universe will be destroyed and ruined at His command in the blink of an eye, or even less than that. This is not an exaggeration, but an actual fact, because His power is infinite, which we cannot comprehend. Everything happens by His single word "Kun" (Be), whatever He wills. So this Qiyamah will also be established by His saying "Kun" (Be).
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.
[78]
The Sudden Occurrence of the Day of Judgment:
Here, without mentioning the question of the polytheists in between, its answer is being given. They often keep asking this question: when will the Day of Judgment come, that is, after how many years, and on which date of which month will it occur? And its answer has already been mentioned from several aspects. The aspect mentioned here is that all the things of this universe, and those events and incidents that have occurred in the past, are happening now, or will happen in the future, are hidden from your sight and knowledge. For Allah, all these matters are just as if they are present and before Him. In the same way, He has complete knowledge of the Day of Judgment and knows when to bring it about. You should just understand one thing: the Day of Judgment will not come in such a way that you will see it coming from afar, so you can prepare yourself and repent. Rather, when the Day of Judgment comes, it will not even take as long as the blink of an eye before it occurs. Thus, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Two men will be spreading out a cloth and making a deal, and before they finish that deal and folding up the cloth, the Day of Judgment will come. A man will be carrying the milk of a she-camel, and before he can drink it, the Day of Judgment will come. A man will be plastering his pond, but before it is filled with water or drunk from, the Day of Judgment will come. And a man will raise a morsel of food to his mouth, and before he puts it in his mouth, the Day of Judgment will come." [بخاری، کتاب الرقاق۔ باب بلاعنوان۔ نیز کتاب الفتن۔ باب بلاعنوان]
