The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

Others version:

12: 107

Transliteration Afa'aminu_ an ta'tiyahum ga_syiyatum min 'aza_billa_hi au ta'tiyahumus sa_'atu bagtataw wa hum la_ yasy'uru_n(a).

Yusuf Ali Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the wrath of Allah or of the coming against them of the (final) Hour all of a sudden while they perceive not?

Pickthall Deem they themselves secure from the coming on them of a pall of Allah's punishment, or the coming of the Hour suddenly while they are unaware?

16.Sura al-Nahl

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلِلّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ...   

16: 77.  To Allah belongeth the mystery of the heavens and the earth.

C2110. The key to all things-not only those which we see and understand, but those which we do not see or of which we have no idea-is with Allah, Whose knowledge and power are supreme.

... وَمَا أَمْرُ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ... 

And the decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker:

C2111. Lures of this world and its fleeting pleasures often make man forget that the life hereafter is an imminent reality.

Many of those who claim to believe in the life to come act and behave as if it belonged to a distant future, and had no relevance to their present activities and mode of living. The Quran repeatedly reminds man that the Hour of Reckoning is not a distant possibility, but very close to man, and could come to pass any moment.

The wisest course for man, therefore, is to be always alert and watchful and steer clear of all forms of sin and impiety, for when the Promised Hour comes it will come all of a sudden and without any prior notice.

See also 10:45; 30:55, 45:35. [Eds]

... إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٧٧﴾

for Allah hath power over all things.

Others version:

16: 77

Asad And God’s is the knowledge of the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth. And so, the advent of the Last Hour will but manifest itself [in a single moment,] lie the twinkling of an eye, or closer still: for, behold, God has the power to will anything.

Yusuf Ali To Allah belongeth the mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things.

Pickthall And unto Allah belongeth the Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and the matter of the Hour (of Doom) is but as a winkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Wa lilla_hi gaibus sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), wa ma_ amrus sa_'ati illa_ ka lamhil basari au huwa aqrab(u), innalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

[Ruby’s note: The sequence of mentioning of the mystery of the Universe and the destruction, seems to imply that there is a hidden formula written in the design of the Universe so that when time comes it would explode or tremendous process of destruction would start. May be it is predetermined and the shelf life of the Universe is already set in the reality. ]

[Asad note 90: As may be inferred from the sequence, the term ‘GHAYB” – rendered here as the “hidden reality” – alludes in this context to the coming of the Last Hour, the time whereof is known to God alone [Zamakhshari]. Parallel with this, it may also relate to God’s Own existence, which cannot be directly established by the testimony of our senses [Baydawi] but, as the Quran consistently points out, may be inferred from the observable effects of His cretiveness.]

[ Ruby’s note: This term ‘GHAYB’ also mentioned in 2:3 to indicate God Himself: the Ultimate Reality, (or the TRUTH = bil Huqqi ), therefore this translation of ‘belong ‘ may be little shorter than what is meant here ]