اون

Core meaning

The present instant, "now": a moment that breaks with what preceded it, whether it brings an acknowledgement, a new permission, or comes too late.

Uses

1. ٱلْـَٰٔنَ, فَٱلْـَٰٔنَ → "now" : the present that follows a different earlier state.

   • «ٱلْـَٰٔنَ خَفَّفَ ٱللَّهُ عَنكُمْ» — "Now, God has lightened" (8:66)
   • «ٱلْـَٰٔنَ حَصْحَصَ ٱلْحَقُّ» — "Now the truth breaks out" (12:51)

2. ءَآلْـَٰٔنَ → "Now?!" : the question of reproach: the present comes too late.

   • «ءَآلْـَٰٔنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ قَبْلُ» — "Now?! When you disobeyed before" (10:91)
   • «ءَآلْـَٰٔنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ» — "Now?! When you used to seek to hasten it!" (10:51)

Evidence from the text

Each use sets the present against what preceded it. The Sons of Israel acknowledge the truth after multiplying questions about the cow (2:71); permitted union follows a restriction (2:187); the lightening follows a heavier demand, a hundred against two hundred instead of twenty against two hundred (8:65-66); the wife of the Powerful One confesses when the truth breaks out (12:51); the Occulted, who once listened, now find a projectile lying in wait (72:9).

The present can also come too late. The one who repents only as death approaches, saying "I indeed turn back now" (4:18), is not received; to Fir'awn, who believes as he drowns, the answer comes: "Now?! When you disobeyed before" (10:91).

Distinctions

• يوم — "today": the present day, whereas ٱلْـَٰٔنَ is the instant itself
• حين — the moment in general, or a delimited time