Surah Al-Ma'arij — Verse 7

Word Meanings:

• Narāhu (وَنَرَاهُ): "And We see it" — meaning, We, Allah, perceive and know it with absolute certainty.
• Qarīban (قَرِيبًا): "Near" — meaning, imminent and certain to occur, not far off.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this noble verse, Allah — the Exalted — declares that while the disbelievers, in their arrogance and denial, deem the promised punishment to be distant, impossible, or even a mere myth, Allah Himself sees it as near and inevitable. The verse is a direct response to their mockery and their hasty demand for the punishment to be hastened, as mentioned in the preceding verses. Allah affirms that what is destined to come is, in His eternal knowledge and decree, already close at hand — for everything that is certain to occur is, in reality, near, regardless of how distant it may appear to human perception.

The "nearness" here is not a measure of time as humans calculate it, but rather a declaration of certainty. When Allah decrees a matter, it is as good as accomplished. The Day of Judgment, the torment, and the recompense — all of these are firmly established in Allah's plan, and nothing can delay or prevent them. The disbelievers' denial does not change the reality; it only seals their own fate.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, ponder this profound truth: the Hereafter is not a distant fantasy or a vague promise — it is a certainty that draws closer with every passing moment. Each breath you take brings you nearer to that Day. The One who informs you of this is none other than your Creator, who knows the unseen and whose word is absolute truth. So why delay? Why live as though that Day will never come? Turn to your Lord in sincerity, embrace His guidance, and let the awareness of His nearness transform your heart. For those who believe and do righteous deeds, that nearness is a source of hope and comfort — a promise of mercy and eternal bliss. But for those who deny, it is a warning that should awaken them before it is too late. Allah's promise is true, and His decree is near. Will you not prepare for that meeting?