Al-Ma'aarij (The Ascending Stairways)

5. So be patient with a good patience.

6. They behold that Day from afar.

7. And We see it near.

Addressed to the Noble Prophet (S), the blessed Verse 5 asks him to be patient with a good patience against their denial and harassment. The Arabic phrase sabran jamilan literally denotes becoming patience which calls for according attention to the same. Such patience entails steadfastness and constant forbearance unadulterated by despair, desolation, restlessness, and remonstrance.

The blessed Verse 6 is saying that they regard that Day as far remote, though, according to the following blessed Verse, God Almighty regards it to be close by. They actually do not believe in the existence of such Day wherein the records of deeds of all people as well as the least of their words and deeds shall be accounted.

That Day shall last fifty thousand years according to this worldly time measurement. However, they do not believe in God Almighty and they entertain doubts as to His Omnipotence, saying that it will be impossible for rotten bones and scattered dust to assemble once again in bodily form. Such unfounded doubts are to be met elsewhere in the Holy Qur’an.

They also raise questions about the duration of fifty thousand years for one single day. It would be of interest to note that according to modern science, time measurements are different on different celestial bodies, since they follow the time of their rotations on their axes.

Thus, one day on the moon equals two weeks on the earth. It is even suggested that through the passage time, the earth may reduce the velocity of its rotation on its axis, as a consequence of which one day may turn into one month, one year, or hundreds of years.

It is said that the Day of Resurrection will be at that time, but it is said that one day which equals fifty thousand years is not incredible as per our worldly measurements and analogies. At any rate, the present order of the earth and the heaven shall undergo alterations prior to the Day of Resurrection. The disbelievers regarded Resurrection as a remote possibility that may not stand to reason, though it is certain and close by according to the blessed Qur’anic Verse.