Luqman (Luqman)

34. “Verily Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and He sends down the rain, and He knows what is in the wombs; and no one knows what he shall earn tomorrow, and no one knows in what land he shall die. Verily Allah is Knowing, Aware.”

Only Allah knows the time of the death and the occurrence of Hereafter. If human beings knew that the time of their death were far and the Hereafter were not be held so soon, they would be proud and would commit more sins; and if they are told that the Hereafter will be held very soon, they terrify and leave their job and activity.

So we mortals, who do not know the exact time of our death and Hereafter, must always be prepared.

However, in relation to the discussion about Resurrection mentioned in the previous verse, this verse, which is the last verse of this Surah, speaks of those information which are specific to Allah.

It says:

“Verily Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour…” “…and He sends down the rain…” “…and He knows what is in the wombs…” “…and no one knows what he shall earn tomorrow…” “…and no one knows in what land he shall die…” “…Verily Allah is Knowing, Aware.”

It seems this entire verse is an answer to the question in regard to Hereafter, the same question that the pagans of Quraysh repeatedly asked from the Prophet (S) and said:

“…When will it be?…”

In answer to them, the Qur’an implicitly says no one knows the moment of the occurrence of Hereafter save Allah; and according to some other verses of the Qur’an, Allah has made this knowledge concealed for all humankind so that pride and negligence would never encompass people; He says:

“Verily the Hour (of Doom) is coming, but I will to keep it hidden…”

Then the Qur’an implies that not only the Hereafter is concealed for you, but there are also many things in your daily living and among the nearest affairs of your death and life that you are not aware of.

The time of the descent of the life-giving drops of rain, to which depend the lives of all living beings is not manifest to any one of you, and you discuss about it only by guesses, estimations, and conjectures.

Also no one is aware of the time of your appearance in the mother’s womb and the specifications of the embryo.

And, again, the near future, that is, the events of your tomorrow and also the place wherein you shall die are hidden to all.

You, who are not aware of these affairs which are close to your living, do not surprise that you are not informed of the moment of the occurrence of Hereafter.

It is cited in Durr-ul-Manthur that once a man by the name of ‘Warrath’, from Banymazin Tribe, came to the Prophet (S) and said:

“O Muhammad! When will the Hereafter be held? Moreover, our cities have met drought; when there will affluence come? And also when I set out to come here my wife was pregnant; when will she be confined? And also I know what I have done today, but what will I do tomorrow? And, finally, I know where I have been born, but tell me to know in which land will I die?”

The above verse was sent down and announced that the knowledge of all these things is with Allah.