Surah An-Nazi'at 79:44
سُورَةُ النَّازِعَاتِ · Meccan · Verse 44 of 46
إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ مُنتَهَىٰهَآ
Translation
Its time is known only to your Lord;
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse, "إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ مُنتَهَىٰهَآ" (Ilā Rabbika Muntahāhā), comes as a profound response to those who mockingly questioned the Prophet, peace be upon him, about the exact time of the Day of Judgment (the Hour). Allah is speaking directly to the Prophet, asserting an absolute truth about the limits of knowledge.
The Ultimate End
The word "مُنتَهَىٰهَآ" (muntahāhā) translates to "its ultimate end" or "its destination." Scholars like Ibn Ashur explain that while it originally refers to the place where a journey concludes, it is used here to signify the *knowledge* of the Hour's appointed time. It implies that the ultimate point to which the Hour's reality, including its timing, traces back is with Allah alone. This means there is no further point of reference beyond Him for this knowledge. The "hā" at the end, "its," clearly refers back to the Hour that the disbelievers were inquiring about.
Only With Your Lord
The specific word order in the verse is deeply significant. Notice "إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ" (Ilā Rabbika, "to your Lord") comes before "مُنتَهَىٰهَآ" (muntahāhā, "its ultimate end"). This grammatical structure is a rhetorical device that conveys exclusivity, known as *qasr* in Arabic. As Ibn Ashur highlights, it means the knowledge of the Hour's end is restricted *only* to Allah, and not to anyone else. It firmly negates the idea that anyone in creation, even the Prophet himself, possesses this secret.
A Personal Truth
The address "رَبِّكَ" (Rabbika, "your Lord") is particularly poignant. The use of "your" makes this truth personal to the Prophet, peace be upon him. Even he, the most beloved and honored of creation, is not privy to this knowledge. This emphasizes that Allah reserves certain knowledge exclusively for Himself, underscoring His unique sovereignty and omnipotence. For us, it reinforces humility, reminding us that there are divine realities beyond our grasp, and our focus should be on preparing for the inevitable Hour, not on speculating about its timing.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nazi'at 79:44 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nazi'at 79:44 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.