Surah An-Naba — Verse 27

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• "Lā Yarjūna" (لَا يَرْجُونَ): In this context, it means "they did not fear" or "they did not expect." The root meaning of *rajā’* is hope or expectation, but here it carries the sense of dreading the reckoning, as they did not believe in it.
• "Ḥisāban" (حِسَابًا): The Reckoning or the Account — the Day when Allah will call every soul to account for its deeds.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse describes the state of the disbelievers in the worldly life: they did not fear the Day of Reckoning, nor did they expect to be held accountable for their actions. Because they rejected the belief in the Resurrection, they lived carelessly, without any sense of responsibility toward their Creator or their own souls. They did not prepare for that inevitable Day — they neither believed in the messages brought by the prophets nor worked righteous deeds. Their hearts were sealed against the truth, and they treated the promise of accountability as a mere myth.

Had they truly feared the reckoning, they would have believed in Allah, followed His guidance, and performed good deeds. But their denial of the Hereafter led them to a life of heedlessness and disobedience. This verse serves as a stern reminder that the absence of fear for the Day of Judgment is a dangerous spiritual disease — it strips a person of moral purpose and leads to ruin.

A Da‘wah Reflection:

O beloved reader, imagine standing before your Lord on a Day when every secret thought and every hidden deed is brought to light. The one who denies this reckoning lives as if he will never die, as if he will never be questioned. But the wise believer knows that this life is a fleeting moment, a test, and the true life is yet to come. Let this verse awaken your heart: do not be among those who "do not expect a reckoning," for that expectation is the very seed of faith. It is what turns a soul toward repentance, gratitude, and sincere worship. Embrace the beauty of accountability — it is not a burden, but a mercy that guides you to eternal success. The Qur’an calls you to a life of awareness, where every action is weighed with wisdom and every step is taken with the hope of Allah’s pleasure. So, let your heart tremble with hope and reverence, and let your deeds speak of a faith that is alive.