Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 78:1–17
The Tidings (Al-Naba’)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(1) What are they asking each other about? (2) About the awesome tidings [of resurrection] (3) concerning which they are in disagreement! (4) But they will soon come to know. (5) Surely, they will soon find out the truth! (6) Have We not spread the earth like a bed, (7) and raised the mountains like supporting poles? (8) We created you in pairs, (9) and gave you repose in sleep, (10) and the night as a cover, (11) and made the day for earning a livelihood. (12) We have built above you seven mighty heavens, (13) and We have set therein a glowing lamp. (14) From the rain clouds We send waters pouring down in abundance, (15) so that We may bring forth thereby grain and a variety of plants, (16) and gardens dense with foliage. (17) Surely, the Day of Judgement has an appointed time.
Commentary
(a) The Arab people were not disbelievers in the Hereafter. But they did not believe in a Hereafter of such a nature as is mentioned in the Quran. In other words, they doubted that by rejecting Muhammad, they would face degradation and humiliation in the world of the Hereafter.
(b) The physical events of the present world are indicative of the nature of the Hereafter. The ‘present’ of our world implies that it should have a ‘future’ consistent with it. Considered from this point of view, it must be accepted that there is going to be a great end to match a great beginning. This world is not going to finish without a befitting end.