Surah An-Naml Verse 72 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : Say, "Perhaps it is close behind you

An-Naml · 72/93

Translation Transliteration — An-Naml

قُلْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونَ رَدِفَ لَكُم بَعْضُ الَّذِي تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ ۝٧٢

🔤 Transliteration

Qul `asaaa any-yakoona radifa lakum ba`dul lazee tasta`jiloon

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

Say, "Perhaps it is close behind you - some of that for which you are impatient.

🌐 Additional reference in Français

📖 Ayah 📜 Tafsir 📚 Al-Waseet 🔤 Ayah (I'rab)

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📜

Translation — Tafsir

Word Meanings:

رَدِفَ (Radifa): Literally means "to follow closely" or "to come right behind." In this context, it signifies that something has drawn near and is about to overtake.
تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ (Tasta'jilun): "That which you seek to hasten" — referring to the punishment or torment that the disbelievers mockingly challenged the Prophet ﷺ to bring upon them.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O Prophet, say to those who mock and demand with arrogance, "When will this punishment you warn us about come?" — "Perhaps that which you seek to hasten is already drawing near, right behind you."

The verse carries a profound and gentle warning: what they ridiculed and challenged Allah to send down was not far off at all. In fact, it was so close that it was almost upon them — like a rider following closely behind a traveler, ready to catch up at any moment. The word *radifa* paints this vivid image of something that has already begun its approach, step by step, until it overtakes.

Indeed, history bears witness to the truth of this divine promise. The very punishment they mocked — the defeat and humiliation at the Battle of Badr — descended upon them shortly after this verse was revealed. Many of those who had arrogantly demanded its arrival tasted it with their own eyes, and their leaders met their end on that fateful day.

A Call to Reflection:

This verse teaches us a timeless lesson about the reality of Allah's promises. When the disbelievers of Makkah challenged the Prophet ﷺ with sarcasm, asking when the punishment would come, Allah did not respond with anger or haste. Instead, He responded with wisdom and mercy — telling them it was nearer than they thought.

For us today, this carries a beautiful reminder: never underestimate the nearness of Allah's help, nor the swiftness of His justice. The believer who is patient in the face of mockery and hardship should know that relief is closer than the horizon. And the one who persists in wrongdoing should know that accountability is not far behind — even if it seems delayed, it never fails to arrive.

So let us hasten to repentance before the punishment hastens to us, and let us hold firm to patience, for the promise of Allah is true, and His timing is perfect.

📜 Verse 70-74 — An-Naml

70وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُن فِي ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ

And grieve not over them or be in distress from what they conspire.

71وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

And they say, "When is [the fulfillment of] this promise, if you should be truthful?"

72قُلْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونَ رَدِفَ لَكُم بَعْضُ الَّذِي تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ

Say, "Perhaps it is close behind you - some of that for which you are impatient.

73وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ

And indeed, your Lord is full of bounty for the people, but most of them do not show gratitude."

74وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ

And indeed, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare.

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An-NamlQuran Index

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MeccanRevelation

72Verse

Translation — An-Naml 72

Surah An-Naml Verse 72 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : Say, "Perhaps it is close behind you - some of…

Surah Verse 72/93 — An-Naml النمل (Meccan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: An-Naml Listen, An-Naml Translation, An-Naml mp3, An-Naml pdf. Verse 70–74. English Meaning: Français.

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