Surah Qaf 50:22
سُورَةُ قٓ · Meccan · Verse 22 of 45
لَّقَدْ كُنتَ فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ هَٰذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَآءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌۭ
Translation
‘You paid no attention to this [Day]; but today We have removed your veil and your sight is sharp.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse addresses humanity on a profound and solemn day: the Day of Judgment. It contrasts our state in the worldly life with the startling reality that will unfold before us then.
The Veil of Heedlessness
The verse begins with "لَّقَدْ كُنتَ فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ هَٰذَا" (Indeed, you were in heedlessness of this). The choice of "in غفلة" (in *ghaflah*, meaning heedlessness) rather than simply "heedless" is significant. As Ibn Ashur points out, it implies a deeper, more pervasive state, as if the person was entirely enveloped within this heedlessness. Al-Razi describes *ghaflah* as the heart being completely veiled from something. This refers to the realities of the Hereafter, the resurrection, and accountability, which many disbelieved or simply chose to ignore during their lives.
The Covering is Removed
Then comes the transformative statement: "فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَآءَكَ" (Then We removed from you your covering). The "ف" (fa, 'then' or 'so') indicates an immediate consequence. The "غطاء" (ghitaa', covering) is a metaphor for the state of *ghaflah* itself, the spiritual blindness or denial that obscured the truth. Allah, using the majestic "We," asserts that He is the one who removes this veil. Ibn Ashur explains this is not a literal physical cover, but a powerful image representing the attainment of undeniable certainty and clear evidence of what was once rejected. The phrase "your covering" (غطاءك) personalizes this, emphasizing that the veil was specific to each individual's state of denial or disregard.
A Sharp, Unavoidable Sight
The verse concludes with "فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌۭ" (So your sight today is sharp). Again, the "ف" immediately links this to the removal of the covering. The word "اليوم" (al-yawm, 'today') is crucial, highlighted by Ibn Ashur as directly contrasting this new state with their previous condition in the world. What was once dismissed, doubted, or ignored is now seen with absolute clarity. The word "حديد" (hadeed), meaning 'iron', is used here to convey sharpness and strength. It means one's perception, both physical and spiritual, becomes intensely keen and penetrating, fully comprehending the realities of judgment and consequence. The dullness of *ghaflah* is gone, replaced by an inescapable, piercing vision of the truth.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Qaf 50:22 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Qaf 50:22 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.