Overview (Verses 103 - 108)

In this there is surely a sign for those who fear the suffering in the lift to come. That is a day when all mankind shall be gathered together, and that is a day which will be witnessed [by all]. We shall not delay it beyond an appointed term. When that day comes, not a soul will speak except by His leave. Some among them will be wretched, and some happy. Those who will have brought wretchedness upon themselves, they will be in the fire where, moaning and sobbing, they will abide as long as the heavens and the earth endure, unless your Lord wills it otherwise. Your Lord always does whatever He wills. And those who are blessed with happiness will be in Paradise, abiding there as long as the heavens and the earth endure, unless your Lord wills it otherwise: an unceasing gift. (Verses 103-108)

“In this there is surely a sign for those who fear the suffering in the lift to come.” (Verse 103) The severe punishment meted out in this world bears some similarity to the suffering of the hereafter. Hence, it serves as a reminder of that future suffering. Such reminders, however, are appreciated only by those who fear the punishment in the hereafter. Their fear of God awakens their hearts and opens their eyes. On the other hand, those who are heedless of the hereafter do not respond to any sign. They are blind. They do not appreciate the purpose of creation and re-creation. They only see their immediate situation in this life. Indeed, they do not learn from the lessons presented in this life.

The sūrah then proceeds to describe the Day of Judgement: “that is a day when all mankind shall be gathered together, and that is a day which will be witnessed [by all].” (Verse 103) We have here a scene of all mankind being gathered together, leaving them no choice in the matter. They are led to the gathering place. All come forward, and everyone awaits the outcome.

“When that day comes, not a soul will speak except by His leave.” (Verse 105) A deadly silence continues without interruption. It is a scene full of awe, which overwhelms all. No one dares ask permission to speak. Permission, however, is given by God to whomever He chooses. At this point people are divided into two groups: “Some among them will be wretched, and some happy.” (Verse 105)

As we read on we visualize the wretched in their misery in the fire, where they moan, sigh and sob. The air there is too hot, too suffocating. We also see “those who are blessed with happiness” in Paradise, where they receive their reward which continues uninterrupted. Both groups remain in their respective abodes ‘as long as the heavens and the earth endure.” This is an expression which imparts a feeling of permanence, which is indeed the intended connotation here.

That continuity is qualified in both cases by God’s choice. Indeed, every situation and every law is subject to God’s will. It is His will which determines the law but is yet not subject to it. His is a free-will which can change any law whenever He chooses: “your Lord always does whatever He wills.” (Verse 107)

In the case of the happy group, however, the sūrah reassures them that it is God’s will that their reward will not cease, even if it is ever assumed that they would change abode and leave Paradise to go somewhere else. Such an eventuality is only supposed here to emphasize that God’s will is completely free.