“Indeed, the Hour is coming”—that is, it will inevitably occur. “I almost conceal it”—that is, even from Myself, as stated in some variant readings. This is like His words, Exalted is He: “People ask you about the Hour. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah,’” and: “With Him alone is knowledge of the Hour.” He has concealed its time from all creation; neither an angel brought near nor a prophet sent forth knows it. The wisdom behind the coming of the Hour is “so that every soul may be recompensed for what it strives to do,” whether good or evil. It is the gateway to the abode of recompense: “that He may repay those who did evil according to their deeds and reward those who did good with the finest reward.”