Surah Muhammad 47:18
سُورَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ · Medinan · Verse 18 of 38
فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةًۭ ۖ فَقَدْ جَآءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا ۚ فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَىٰهُمْ
Translation
What are the disbelievers waiting for, other than the Hour which will come upon them unawares? Its signs are already here, but once the Hour has actually arrived, what use will it be then to take heed?
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a profound rhetorical question directed at those who deny the truth and heedlessly follow their desires. It asks: What are they waiting for except the Hour, the Day of Judgment, to come upon them suddenly? This isn't a true question seeking an answer, but a powerful statement meaning "they are waiting for nothing but the Hour."
The Waiting Game
The verse begins, `فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ` (Fa hal yanzurūna illā as-sā'ah), meaning "Do they await anything but the Hour?" The word `yanzurūn` here refers to waiting or anticipating. As Ibn Ashur explains, this is an interrogative of denial mixed with a sarcastic tone, conveying that these disbelievers are not truly preparing for anything meaningful. Their only real, inevitable appointment is the Hour itself. The verse then specifies `أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً` (an ta'tiyahum baghtah), meaning "that it should come upon them suddenly." The word `baghtah` vividly paints a picture of being caught off guard, unprepared. The emphasis here is not just on the arrival of the Hour, but on its abrupt, unforeseen nature, leaving no time for preparation or repentance.
Signs Already Here
The Quran continues, `فَقَدْ جَآءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا` (fa qad jā'a ashrātuhā), which translates to "for its signs have already appeared." The word `ashrāt` means clear signs or indications. The letter `fa` (for) here implies a hidden thought, as if to say, "If you wonder how close the Hour is, know that its signs have already manifested." Al-Razi highlights this as proof of their extreme stubbornness; the signs are evident, yet they remain heedless. Scholars mention that the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is itself a major sign, as he is the last of the prophets, signifying the approaching end of times. Other signs include celestial events and societal changes, as detailed by various commentators like al-Razi and al-Jalalayn. This statement serves as a stark reminder that the signs are not abstract prophecies for a distant future, but unfolding realities that should prompt reflection.
No Time for Regret
The verse concludes with another potent rhetorical question: `فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَىٰهُمْ` (fa annā lahum idhā jā'at-hum dhikrāhum), meaning "Then how can there be a reminder for them when it comes to them?" The word `annā` here means "how" in a way that implies impossibility or futility. It conveys that once the Hour arrives, any form of remembrance, admonition, or regret will be utterly useless. Al-Razi explains that repentance will not be accepted, and faith will not be counted. This is a moment of ultimate despair, where the memory of their past heedlessness serves only as a source of agony, not a path to salvation. The verse thus powerfully warns against delaying reflection and repentance until it is irrevocably too late.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Muhammad 47:18 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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