We now have a scene of the Day of Judgment that begins with the first blowing of the trumpet and ends when the judgment is passed and people are being led to their respective places, either heaven or hell. God Almighty stands in His greatness while the entire universe repeats His glorification and praise. It is a unique scene which is, as it starts, full of life and movement, but one which then slows down until every movement ceases and all stand still. Thus, complete stillness covers the place where all are brought for judgment, standing humbly before God Almighty.
The first blow on the trumpet is made, and all creatures who until that moment remained alive on earth and in the heavens fall senseless, except those God spares. We do not know how much time elapses before the second blow is sounded on the trumpet: “The trumpet will be sounded, and all creatures that are in the heavens and the earth will fall down senseless, except those God wills to be spared. It will then be sounded a second time, and they will rise and look around them.” The third blow of gathering them all is not mentioned here. Nor is there mention of the bustling and the crowding, because the scene here is a quiet one, where all move very gradually.
“The earth will shine bright with the light of its Lord.” This is the earth where all action will take place. Needless to say, there is no light other than the light of its Lord Almighty. “The Record of Deeds will be laid open.” It is the book in which all deeds by all creatures are entered. “All the prophets and the witnesses will be brought in.” They will testify stating the truth they know. No argument or dispute is mentioned here so as to maintain the atmosphere of majesty and humility before God that permeates the entire scene. “Judgment will be passed on them all in justice, and they will not be wronged; for every human being will be repaid in full for whatever they have done. He is fully aware of all that they do.” There is no need for a word to be said or a voice to be raised. The whole picture of reckoning, questions asked and answers given, is folded without mention because it does not fit with the ambience of majesty expressed.
“The unbelievers will be led to hell in throngs. When they reach it, its gates will be opened.” The angels keeping guard will receive them there with a statement that they deserve their lot, reminding them of the reasons why they have ended up there: “its keepers will ask them: ‘Did there not come to you messengers from among yourselves, who recited to you your Lord’s revelations and forewarned you of this day? They will answer: ‘Yes, indeed.’ But the sentence of suffering will have already been passed against the unbelievers.” The position is one of submission, without any argument or dispute. They accept their lot and submit to their fate: “They will be told: ‘Enter the gates of hell; there you will abide.’ How vile an abode for the arrogant!”
Such is the fate of the arrogant party, destined for hell. How about the other party, the God-fearing who are destined for heaven?
“And the believers will be led to paradise in throngs. When they reach it, they shall find its gates wide open; and its keepers will say to them: Peace be to you! Well have you done. Come in: you are here to stay.” It is a warm welcome, coupled with pleasant praise of the recipients and an outline of the reasons for which they deserved their reward: “Well have you done.” You purified yourselves of sin, lived a pure life and came here with such purity. None but the pure enter heaven. Therefore, you are to remain here forever.
At this point, the voices of the people of heaven are raised high in glorifying and praising God: “They will say: All praise is due to God who has made His promise to us come true and given us this land as our own.” This is the land worth inheriting. They live in it wherever they wish, taking from it whatever they want. “How excellent is the reward of those who worked hard.”
The scene is given a finale that fills our hearts with awe and majesty. It too is in complete harmony with the ambience of the whole surah devoted to the theme of God’s oneness. The entire universe is in complete submission to God Almighty, and praises of God are uttered by every living soul and all existence: “You will see the angels surrounding the Throne, extolling their Lord’s glory and praise. Judgment will have been passed on all in justice, and it will be said: All praise is due to God, the Lord of all the worlds.”
