What does « When » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word When (متى) in the Quran, with 9 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

متى

When

Root: م - ت

Creed (aqida) 9 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of When

Matā is an interrogative adverb of time.

The Almighty says: 'When is the help of Allah?' (Al-Baqarah 214).

Matā expresses questioning about time.

The Almighty says: 'When is the Day of Resurrection?' (Al-Qiyamah 6).

When in the Quran (9)

Meccan: 8 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Baqara 1

Yunus 1

Al-Isra 1

Al-Anbiya 1

An-Naml 1

As-Sajda 1

Saba 1

Ya-Sin 1

Al-Mulk 1

Surah Al-Baqara : 214 Medinan

﴿أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ﴾

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.

Surah Yunus : 48 Meccan

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾

And they say, "When is [the fulfillment of] this promise, if you should be truthful?"

Surah Al-Isra : 51 Meccan

﴿أَوْ خَلْقًۭا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًۭا﴾

Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -

Surah Al-Anbiya : 38 Meccan

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾

And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"

Surah An-Naml : 71 Meccan

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾

And they say, "When is [the fulfillment of] this promise, if you should be truthful?"

Surah As-Sajda : 28 Meccan

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾

And they say, "When will be this conquest, if you should be truthful?"

Surah Saba : 29 Meccan

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾

And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"