Overview (Verses 27 - 37)

The Record of All Deeds

They are now presented with a scene from the day that they doubt will ever come:

When the Last Hour strikes, those who follow falsehood will on that Day lose all. You will see every community on its knees. Every community will be summoned to its record. `Today you shall be requited for all that you did. This Our record speaks of you in all truth; for We have been recording everything you do.' (Verses 27-29)

In the first of these verses they are told of the fate of those who follow falsehood. They are the ones who end up in utter loss. Then we are given a panoramic view, with all the generations that have dwelled on the surface of this planet throughout the ages gathered together. They all sit on their knees, each community distinguished from the next, but all awaiting their dreaded accountability. The atmosphere is one of awe and fear. How can it be otherwise, when the assembly brings together everyone from all generations, and they are all on their knees? Greater fear is inspired by what lies ahead of people having to account for their deeds. What generates most fear, however, is that they have to face God Almighty, the Most Gracious, whose blessings were not met with gratitude, on earth, by most of those gathered before Him.

All those waiting on their knees look anxiously, breathless and with dry mouths. They are told: "Today you shall be requited for all that you did. This Our record speaks of you in all truth; for We have been recording everything you do." (Verses 28-29) All of them, belonging to different communities, races and generations, are split into two groups — believers and unbelievers — for there is no other banner to raise on that occasion. One is God's party and the other is Satan's.

"Those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted by their Lord into His grace. That will be the manifest triumph." (Verse 30) They are the ones who are given comfort to dispel all worry and anxiety. The outcome of their situation is given straightaway, easily and without delay, so as to spread over them a pleasant air. But what do we find as we stretch our eyes through the words of the text to look at the other party? We hear a long and shameful rebuke one that reminds them of their worst sayings and deeds:

And as for the unbelievers, [they will be asked]: When My revelations were recited to you, did you not glen), in your arrogance and persist in your wicked ways? For when it was said, `God's promise will certainly come true, and there can be no doubt about the Last Hour,' you would answer, 'We know nothing of the Last Hour. We think it is all conjecture, and we are by no means convinced." (Verses 31-32)

How do you view your situation now? Are you convinced? Then the surah turns away for a moment to give us a glimpse of what happens to them: The evil of their deeds will become clear to them, and they will be overwhelmed by the very thing they used to deride." (Verse 33) Further reproach is heaped upon their heads, and they are told that their lot will be nothing other than total disregard, humiliation as well as painful doom:

It will be said to them: 'Today We shall be oblivious of you as you were oblivious of the coming of this your Day! The fire will be your abode, and you will have no one to help you. Thus it is, because you received God's revelations with ridicule and allowed the life of this world to beguile you.' (Verses 34-35)

As their ultimate fate is announced, the curtains are drawn leaving them in hell from which they cannot hope to leave and where they are not asked for excuses or justification: "Therefore, they will not be brought out of the Fire on that Day, nor will they be given a chance to make amends." (Verse 35) As we listen, we almost hear the doors of  hell as they are finally closed. The scene is completed; nothing of it will change.
The surah concludes with voices praising and glorifying God:

All praise is due to God, the Lord of the heavens, the Lord of the earth and the Lord of all the worlds. His alone is all supremacy in the heavens and the earth. He alone is the Almighty, the Wise. (Verses 36-37)

The praising voice declares God's Lordship over the universe: earth and heaven, mankind and jinn, birds and beasts, as well as everyone and everything. They are all under the care of one Lord who is totally in control. Praised is He for the care He takes of them all. The glorifying voice declares that all supremacy in the universe belongs to God alone. To Him bows every exalted tyrant, and to His power submits every rebellious nature. Furthermore, to Him belongs the supreme power and absolute wisdom. Praise and glory to God, the Lord of all the worlds.