Question:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
In several places in the Glorious Qur’an, we see that past tense is used even when the events being described are yet to occur. Why is this linguistic choice made?
For example, Allah says:
“وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا”
“And their Lord will give them a pure drink.”
[Sūrah Al-Dahr, 76:21]
And elsewhere:
“وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا قَالُوا أَنطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ”
“And they will say to their skins, ‘Why did you testify against us?’ They will reply, ‘Allah has made us speak – the One who gives speech to all things.'” [Sūrah Fuṣṣilat, 41:21]
These verses refer to events that will take place in the Hereafter. So why are they expressed in the past tense?
Answer:
The use of past tense in these contexts serves a powerful rhetorical and linguistic purpose in the Qur’an. When Allah speaks of future events in the past tense, it emphasizes the absolute certainty of their occurrence. It is as though they have already happened—there is no doubt that they will come to pass.
Sometimes, using the past tense can express optimism or convey a good omen. For example, someone might say to an ill person,
“إِنْ شَفَاكَ اللهُ تَذْهَبْ مَعِيْ” “If Allah has healed you today, you will accompany me tomorrow,”
using past tense to express hope and positivity.
ومنها (أنواع إخراج الكلام على خلاف مقتضى الظاهر) وضع الماضي موضع المضارع لغرض التشبيه كالتنبيه على تحقق الحصول نحو: (أَتى أَمْرُ اللهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوْهُ) [النحل:١] أو التفاؤل نحو: (إن شفاك الله اليوم تذهب معي غدا) (دروس البلاغة ٨٦)
Allah knows best.
Abbas Afzal
09 Muharram / 5 July 2025
