Overview (Verses 11 - 21)

The Prophet is then instructed to question them about whether they considered their own creation to be more difficult or the creation of the heavens, earth and all creation in the universe? If they agree that man’s creation is less difficult, why should they then disbelieve in resurrection, meeting it with derision and considering it impossible, when it is nothing compared to creating the universe?
 
Now ask those [unbelievers]: Are they more difficult to create, or the other beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay. Whereas you marvel, they scoff and when they are reminded of the truth, they pay no heed; and when they see a sign, they resort to ridicule; and say: ‘This is nothing but plain sorcery. What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we be raised back to life? And perhaps our forefathers?’ (Verses 11-17)
 
The other created beings in this respect include the angels, heavens, the earth and all between them, the jinn, stars, planets and piercing flames. They acknowledge that these are created by God. No answer, however, is expected to the question. This is simply a rhetorical device inviting amazement at their lack of understanding of what is around them. It derides the way they look at things. Leaving the question unanswered, the sūrah shows them the substance from which they were created in the first place: it is soft, sticky clay made of material from this earth, which is itself one of God’s creatures: “Them have We created out of a sticky clay.” (Verse 11) It is abundantly clear then that they are not the more difficult to create. Hence, their making fun of God’s signs and His promise to bring them back to life is nothing less than absurd.
 
Their attitude makes the Prophet wonder: “Whereas you marvel, they scoff and when they are reminded of the truth, they pay no heed; and when they see a sign, they resort to ridicule.” (Verses 12-14) It is only right that the Prophet should wonder at them. A believer who recognizes God with all his faculties as Muĥammad (peace be upon him) did, and who sees in full clarity the numerous signs in the universe pointing to Him, is bound to wonder and marvel at how people can remain oblivious to them. In short, how can they adopt such an attitude?
 
As the Prophet looked at them with amazement, they continued ridiculing the truth he presented to them, speaking of God’s oneness and their own resurrection. They preferred to remain blind, with their hearts sealed. Hence they scoffed at God’s revelations and signs, wondered at the Prophet who presented these to them and made that the material for further ridicule. Part of this was how they described the Qur’ān: “This is nothing but plain sorcery. What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we be raised back to life? And perhaps our forefathers?” (Verses 15-17) They are oblivious to everything around them that reminds them of God’s power and ability, claiming that He would not return them to life after they and their forefathers had died and perished. Yet such return is nothing to marvel at, if we would only look at the universe around us and see what God has created.
 
Since they would not reflect quietly and calmly on what they saw, they are strongly jolted such that they see their own agitated state in the life to come: “Say: Yes, indeed! And you shall be utterly humbled.” (Verse 18) Yes, indeed, you and your forefathers will be resurrected and utterly humiliated, unable to put up any opposition. It is not merely that God emphatically confirms their resurrection, but He shows them how it is done. This is depicted in a long scene describing resurrection in different ways, presenting lively images and successive movements. The whole account employs the narrative style first, then changes to dialogue, and in between they see events and actions and hear comments on these. Thus, the whole scene comes alive.
 
“There will be just one single cry, and they will all begin to see.” (Verse 19) It is all just a glimpse, taking no more than a single cry, which is described in Arabic as zajrah, to indicate that it is exceedingly strong and coming from a superior source. This single cry is made “and they will all begin to see,” suddenly, without any preparation. Surprised so violently, they cry out: “Woe betide us! This is the Day of Judgement!” (Verse 20) In the midst of their shock, a voice will unexpectedly make it clear that whatever happens to them is through their own making: “This is indeed the Day of Decision which you used to call a lie” (Verse 21) Here we see how the sūrah changes its style from the narrative to directly address those who used to deny that there would ever be such a day when all mankind would be resurrected and their fate determined.