In the Name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful

On that day, they all will share in the common suffering. Thus shall We deal with all the guilty ones. Whenever they were told, “there is no deity other than God,” they would turn away in arrogance, and would say: “Are we to forsake our deities for the sake of a mad poet?” For certain, he has brought the truth, and confirmed the earlier messengers.

You will indeed taste grievous suffering, being requited only for what you used to do.

Not so God’s true servants. Theirs shall be a predetermined sustenance: fruits; and they will be honored in gardens of bliss, seated on soft couches, facing one another. A cup will be passed round among them with a drink from a flowing spring: clear, delicious to those who drink it, causing no headiness or intoxication.

With them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye, as if they were hidden eggs. And they will turn to one another with questions.

One of them will say: I had a close companion on earth who used to ask me: ‘Do you really believe that after we have died and become mere dust and bones we shall be brought for judgment?’ He adds: ‘Would you like to look down?’ Then he looks and sees him in the midst of the fire. (Ranged in Rank, Al-Saffat: 37: 33-55)

At this point, another comment is made, but this time it sounds like a sentence announced before all, making its grounds clear and revealing what they did in this world to bring about their condemnation in the next: “On that day, they all will share in the common suffering. Thus shall We deal with all the guilty ones. Whenever they were told, ‘there is no deity other than God,’ they would turn away in arrogance, and would say: ‘Are we to forsake our deities for the sake of a mad poet’?” A further comment carries clear censure of those who say such monstrous words: “For certain, he has brought the truth, and confirmed the earlier messengers. You will indeed taste grievous suffering, being requited only for what you used to do. Not so God’s true servants.”

Since God’s true servants are mentioned here, making it clear that they will not suffer, their condition on the Day of Judgment is also shown. Once more this comes in narrative style, describing the happiness and bliss they will enjoy to the full and contrasting it with the suffering the other party endures: “Theirs shall be a predetermined sustenance: fruits; and they will be honored in gardens of bliss, seated on soft couches, facing one another. A cup will be passed round among them with a drink from a flowing spring: clear, delicious to those who drink it, causing no headiness or intoxication. With them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye, as if they were hidden eggs.”

This is happiness pure and perfect, combining all that is enjoyable, physically and spiritually. Everyone finds in it whatever they want of happiness. To start with, the people enjoying this happiness are God’s true servants, a description that signifies they are held in high regard. They are also “honored” among those on high, and this is the highest honor. They have “fruit” and they sit “on soft couches facing one another.” They will be served so that they need not exert any effort for anything. What they drink is also described in detail: “A cup will be passed round among them with a drink from a flowing spring: clear, delicious to those who drink it, causing no headiness or intoxication.” These are the best qualities in any drink, giving the pleasure without negative consequences.

Thus they do not fear that it will be used up, and it gives them no unpleasant side effects. They have companions who are described as follows: “With them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye.” Their modesty means that they do not look up to anyone other than their mates, despite being very pretty. They are chaste and gentle, “as if they were hidden eggs,” untouched by anyone.

As the story unfolds we see these true servants of God engaged in pleasant conversation, recalling things from their past lives and looking at what they now enjoy. This image contrasts with the contentious arguments the others have in their place of suffering. One of the believers then relates to his brethren something that he recalls from his first life: “One of them will say: I had a close companion on earth who used to ask me: ‘Do you really believe that after we have died and become mere dust and bones we shall be brought for judgment’?” His friend did not believe in the Day of Judgment, and he asked him in amazement whether he truly believed in resurrection after death. As he is speaking about his friend, this believer wishes to know what happened to him. He looks for him and calls on his brothers to look as well: “He adds: ‘Would you like to look down?’ Then he looks and sees him in the midst of the fire.”

Such is the end of the one who could not accept that death is not the ultimate end of all, or that resurrection will follow when everyone will be held to account for their deeds. The scene is not over. We will have reason to visit it next week, God willing.