Surah An-Nahl — Verse 70

Word Meanings:

• يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ: He takes your souls at the appointed time of death.
• أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ: The most degraded stage of life, which is extreme old age (senility).
• لِكَيْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْئًا: So that after having known, he no longer knows anything—meaning he forgets what he once knew.

Tafsir (Explanation):

Allah, the Exalted, is the One who brought you into existence from nothing—He created you, shaped you, and gave you life. Then, when your appointed time arrives, He takes your soul in death. This is a reminder that life is a journey with a definite end, and that the One who gave life is also the One who takes it away.

Among you, there are those whom Allah grants a long life until they reach the most feeble and degraded stage of old age—a state where the mind weakens, memory fades, and a person becomes like a child again, knowing nothing of what they once knew. This is not a random occurrence; it is a deliberate sign from Allah, demonstrating His complete power over His creation. The One who can return a knowledgeable, strong person to a state of ignorance and weakness is certainly capable of death, resurrection, and the final account.

Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing—nothing escapes His knowledge, not even the smallest detail of your existence, your deeds, or your intentions. And He is All-Powerful—nothing is beyond His ability, whether it is creating you, taking your life, returning you to the weakest state, or raising you again for judgment.

A Call to Reflection:

O servant of Allah! Contemplate this verse deeply. Your life is a trust from Allah, and your body—no matter how strong or healthy it may seem today—will inevitably weaken and decline. This reality should not fill you with despair, but rather with humility and gratitude. Use your youth, your strength, and your knowledge while you have them, for they are blessings that can be taken away at any moment. The same Allah who created you and knows every stage of your life is the One who will hold you accountable. So turn to Him sincerely, worship Him with devotion, and prepare for the meeting with Him before the time comes when you can no longer prepare. Indeed, in this verse lies a profound lesson: the wise person is the one who remembers death, prepares for the afterlife, and seizes the opportunity of good deeds before the arrival of weakness, illness, or old age. May Allah grant us all the ability to benefit from our time and to die upon faith and righteousness.