Surah at-Tur (The Mount) 52 : 7

Explanatory Note

God states an oath by these great creatures to confirm a great event. This opening makes us ready to receive it, fully aware that it is momentous: "Your Lord's punishment will indeed come to pass. Nothing can stop it."(Verses 7-8) It is certain to happen. No one can stop it from happening. By their very sound, these two verses give the feeling that there is absolutely no question about its taking place. Furthermore, it overwhelms people: none can evade it. When a person receives this decisive note directly, without impediment, he feels its effect penetrate deep inside him. A report mentions that (Umar went out one night to learn about people's conditions. As he passed by one house, he overheard someone reading this surah in prayer.

When he read these two verses, he said: 'By God, the Lord of the Ka 'bah, this is indeed a true oath." He dismounted, leaned against a wall listening for a while. He then went home, feeling unwell. For a month, people continued to visit him, enquiring about his health, but no one knew his ailment. Umar knew this surah, having listened to it and read it many times before. Indeed, he listened to it as the Prophet used to read it in prayer. Umar was a learned person who was quick to appreciate such lessons. This time, however, his heart and feelings were ready recipients. Therefore, the message, powerful and focused as it is, was readily received by him, having a profound effect. It is as if climax received these verses directly from their original source, just like the Prophet's heart did, but whereas the Prophet's heart was specially prepared to receive what God revealed to him, others do not have such abilities. Hence, when anyone experiences such a moment and receives some verses in this way, that person is bound to feel as Umar did.