Ash-Shura (Consultation)

17. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance. And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

The Holy Qur’an has a very exalted Truth that aims at our happiness.

“The Hour”

is one of the attributes of Resurrection, since it shall arrive unexpectedly. The blessed Verse in question makes God Almighty known through His Book, the Holy Qur’an. It is Allah Who has revealed the Holy Qur’an in truth and has made its laws and injunctions according to the Balance.

Two attributes of the Holy Qur’an are also treated in this blessed Verse: the Truth of the Holy Qur’an and the fact that the Holy Qur’an is the Balance for assaying through which a distinction may be drawn between Truth and Falsehood.

Divine Names, Bounties, and Attributes are revealed through the Holy Qur’an and Qur’anic Verses indicate that it is revealed by Absolute Truth. In short, God Almighty gives further details about the Holy Qur’an since He reveals its inimitable Verses which are revealed by the Omniscient and All-Wise Lord.

On the other hand, the Holy Qur’an gives details about God Almighty, since it is known by Divine Beauteous Names and Attributes which are blessings through which we may have a name for truth and invoke and glorify Him by that Name.

“And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?”

The sentence is apparently a resumptive one reminding the Noble Prophet (S) that although he is the Messenger of Allah (S) and aware of the mysteries of creation, but the Hour of Resurrection is solely known by God Almighty.

In reply to disbelievers inquiring about the Hour of Resurrection, he is asked to say unto them that God Alone is aware of it and it may be close at hand.