Surah An-Naba 78:5
سُورَةُ النَّبَإِ · Meccan · Verse 5 of 40
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ
Translation
In the end they will find out.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In the previous verse, Allah delivers a stern warning: "No, they will soon know." Now, in Surah An-Naba, ayah 5, this warning is echoed with even greater intensity. This verse, "ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ" (Then, no, they will soon know), is a powerful continuation, directed at those polytheists who denied the truth of Resurrection and the Prophet's message, ridiculing it as if it were a trivial matter. Allah's speech here is a direct, emphatic threat and a clear warning, meant to shake them from their heedlessness.
Deepening the Warning
The word "ثُمَّ" (thumma) here is key. It means "then" or "after," but in this context, as scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari explain, it's not just about a sequence in time. Instead, it signifies an *escalation* in the severity of the warning. Imagine a warning delivered, and then a pause, followed by an even more impactful, profound warning. Al-Jalalayn highlights that this "thumma" suggests the second threat is "more severe" than the first. Ibn Ashur elaborates that it raises the status or rank of the warning, implying that what is to come – the consequence of their denial – is far greater than they could ever imagine or previously understand.
The Power of Repetition
The phrase "كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ" (kalla sa'ya'lamoon) is repeated, and this repetition itself is a profound linguistic choice. "كَلَّا" (kalla) is a strong word of rebuke and deterrence, essentially meaning "No, absolutely not!" or "By no means!" It firmly rejects their false assertions. Following it, "سَيَعْلَمُونَ" (sa'ya'lamoon) means "they will soon know." The letter 'س' (sa) before 'يعلمون' indicates that this knowledge will come to them in the near future. This isn't a vague threat; it's a certainty.
Al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi emphasize that the repetition of this powerful phrase, coupled with "thumma," serves to intensify and confirm the warning. It is an affirmation that what they mock as untrue – the Resurrection and accountability – is an undeniable reality. They will face its consequences. Some scholars, like al-Razi, even ponder the possibility that the first warning refers to their realization of accountability in general, while the second, intensified warning refers to their direct experience of punishment.
Ultimately, this verse is a potent reminder that Allah's warnings are not to be taken lightly. The specific, emphatic wording, especially the use of "thumma" and the repetition, creates a profound sense of certainty and an escalating threat for those who reject the truth. For us, it serves as a powerful call to reflect on the seriousness of our own relationship with Allah's words and the inevitable accountability that awaits all.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
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