Al-A'raaf 7:185 · The Heights · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"Have they not contemplated the realm of the heavens and earth and all that God created, and that the end of their time might be near? What [other revelation] will they believe in if they do not believe in this?"

Pickthall (classic)+

"Have they not considered the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what things Allah hath created, and that it may be that their own term draweth nigh? In what fact after this will they believe?"

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the earth and all that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they then believe?"

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ

(In what message after this will they then believe) Allah says, what more warnings, and discouragements should compel them to believe, if the warnings and threats that Muhammad ﷺ brought them from Allah in His Book do not compel them to do so Allah said next,

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Если люди внимательно посмотрят на небо, то увидят множество знамений, свидетельствующих о единстве Господа и Его совершенных качествах. То же самое произойдет, если они посмотрят на любое другое творение Аллаха, поскольку вся вселенная повествует о Нем и свидетельствует о Его могуществе и мудрости, безграничном милосердии и добродетели, несокрушимой воле и других величественных качествах. А вместе эти качества указывают на то, что Аллах - Единственный Творец и Правитель Вселенной. Поэтому творения обязаны поклоняться Ему одному, славословить Ему, восхвалять и любить Его. Пусть же люди задумаются над своей судьбой до того, как для них пробьет смертный час, ведь смерть может настигнуть их внезапно, когда они не будут даже подозревать о ее приближении, и тогда они не сумеют восполнить упущенное. И если они не веруют в это Славное Писание, то в какое другое повествование они хотят верить?!! Неужели они хотят верить в то, что приводит к заблуждению? Или же они хотят верить измышлениям лжецов? Но что бы ни делали заблудшие грешники, они никогда не смогут встать на прямой путь. Поэтому Всевышний сказал:

Maʿārif al-Qur'ān

Mufti Shafi Usmani, English

The verse 185 has invited mankind to practice two important things. Firstly, to make thoughtful observation of the creation of Allah, the heavens, the earth and the things existing between them. Secondly, to be mindful of the period of life given to an individual. It does not require to be a genius to perceive the signs of Allah's power and wisdom in everything around us. A little amount of serious thought is enough to make one see that everything, rather every particle of this world, is singing the praise of it's Creator and is, in itself, a strong proof of Allah's power and wisdom. Any one applying his intellect in conscious observation of things cannot avoid natural demand of faith in Allah, the One.

Being mindful of uncertain period of one's life makes him more active in attaining his objectives, because he is not sure how much time of life he has at his disposal. It would be noticed that all crimes and evil deeds are activated by disregard to one's death. Those who are conscious of their indefinite period of life mostly avoid involving themselves in unwanted activities. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

اَکثرُوا ذکرَھَا ذِم اللَّذَّاتِ المؤت

"Frequently remember the thing which eliminates the pleasures - the death."

The verse 185, has therefore said:

"Have they not looked into the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth, and into things Allah has created, and into the fact that their time may possibly have drawn near."

The Arabic word مَلَکُوت (Malakut) signifies kingdom indicating a superlative degree, that is, the great Kingdom. The verse implies that the disbelievers have not used their common intellect in seeking the Truth which is evident in everything created by Allah, nor are they mindful of the uncertainty of life which may come to an end any moment, depriving them of all the chances of accepting the truth and repenting to Allah for their evil deeds. The last sentence of the verse warned them saying:

"In what other word, then, shall they believe after it?" That is Allah has provided them with transparent signs, both internal and external, of the right path and of the True Faith. Those who are neglectful of such clear signs, there is nothing in the world to guide them to the right path.