In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful
They also ask: When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true? All they are waiting for is a single blast that will overtake them while they are still disputing. No time will they have to make bequests, nor will they return to their own people. The Trumpet will be sounded, and out of their graves they will rise and hasten to their Lord. They will say: ‘Woe betide us! Who has roused us from our resting place? This is what the Lord of Grace had promised. The messengers told the truth.’ It takes nothing but one single blast, and they will all have been brought before Us. Today, no one shall be wronged in the least: you will be requited for nothing other than that which you did in life.
Those who are destined for paradise are today happily occupied. Together with their spouses, they will be in shady groves seated on soft couches. There they have fruit and whatever they ask for: peace and fulfillment through the word of the Lord of mercy. (Ya Seen: 36: 48-58)
THE first verse in this passage mentions the unbelievers’ doubt about the Day of Resurrection. They actually doubt God’s promise and ridicule the warnings given to them by God and His messenger: “They also ask: When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true?” God’s promise is not brought forward or delayed because of people’s pleas. With God everything has its definite measure; everything takes place at its appointed time and place, in accordance with His infinite wisdom. It is He who conducts the universe and all that happens in it according to a perfect system. The answer to this rude question is given in the form of a scene from the Day of Judgment, showing them what happens then, but not its timing.
We then see the answer to the question about the time of resurrection: It comes in the form of a quick image, a single blast that ends all life. “All they are waiting for is a single blast that will overtake them while they are still disputing. No time will they have to make bequests, nor will they return to their own people.” It takes them suddenly, in a moment, as they argue and dispute going about their day-to-day lives, expecting nothing of the sort. Then it is all over. All drop in the situation and the condition they are in. They have no chance to make a will or to arrange something for loved ones who may stay behind. No one can return to his family to say a word to them. In fact every single person faces the same end, with all life finished. The Trumpet is then sounded and they all rise from their graves, moving hurriedly, shocked, in fear. The question on everyone’s lips is: “Who has roused us from our resting place?” As the shock begins to wear off, it is replaced by a growing realization: “This is what the Lord of Grace had promised. The messengers told the truth.” (Verse 52) Then comes the final blast and all those bewildered individuals, moving hurriedly and aimlessly, take their positions: “It takes nothing but one single blast, and they will all have been brought before Us.” Only a short moment and all are stationed in place, ranged in rows as if they were in a parade. The supreme decree explaining the nature of the moment as well as the forthcoming reckoning and reward is announced to all: “Today, no one shall be wronged in the least: you will be requited for nothing other than that which you did in life.” The quick succession of these three images forms a complete and coherent answer to those who have been voicing doubts about the Day of Resurrection.
The surah does not dwell on how the believers face the reckoning. Instead, it moves quickly on to show their happy end: “Those who are destined for paradise are today happily occupied. Together with their spouses, they will be in shady groves seated on soft couches. There they have fruit and whatever they ask for: peace and fulfillment through the word of the Lord of mercy.”
They are occupied with the comforts available to them, happy, relaxed, enjoying the fruits served to them and the shady groves providing a cool breeze. They are joined by their spouses in perfect enjoyment. Whatever they need is immediately made available to them. Above all this, they are honored with a greeting of peace from none other than their merciful Lord.
By contrast the surah dwells on the scene of reckoning faced by the others. It is shown with all that it involves of reproach and blame: “But stand aside today, you guilty ones! Children of Adam! Did I not enjoin on you that you should not worship Satan, as he is your open foe, and that you should worship Me alone? This is the straight path. He had already led astray a great many of you. Could you not, then, use your reason? This, then, is the hell that you were repeatedly warned against: endure it today for your persistent rejection (of the truth).”
Contempt marks the treatment they receive. They are first told to stand aside, away from the believers. They are then addressed as ‘Children of Adam,’ which is an address implying reproach: “Children of Adam! Did I not enjoin on you that you should not worship Satan, as he is your open foe.” (Verse 60) It was Satan who caused the expulsion of their father, Adam, from heaven. He has declared his permanent hostility to them, yet they continue to worship him.