God says
When the sky is split asunder, obeying its Sustainer, as in truth it must; and when the earth is leveled, and casts forth whatever is in it, and becomes utterly void, obeying its Sustainer, as in truth it must --: [then,] O man – thou [that] hast, verily, been toiling towards thy Sustainer in painful toil* -- then shalt thou meet Him! –
Q. 84:1-6
*An allusion to the fact that in man’s earthly life – irrespective of whether one is consciously aware of it or not – sorrow, pain, drudgery and worry by far outweigh the rare moments of true happiness and satisfaction. Thus, the human condition is described as “painful toiling towards the Sustainer” – i.e., towards the moment when one meets Him on resurrection.
And as for him whose record shall be placed in his right hand, he will in time be called to account with an easy accounting, and will [be able to] turn joyfully to those of his own kind.* But as for him whose record shall be given to him behind his back, he will in time pray for utter destruction: but he will enter the blazing fire. Behold, [in his earthly life] he lived joyfully among people of his own kind** -- for, behold, he never thought that he would have to return [to God]. -- Q.84:7-14
*Lit., “his people” – i.e., those who, like him, were righteous in life.
**Lit., “his people” – i.e., people of the same sinful inclination.
For, distant from it [the raging fire,] shall remain he who is truly conscious of God: he that spends his possessions [on others] so that he might grow in purity – not as payment for favours received, but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Lord, the All-Highest: and such, indeed, in time will be well-pleased. -- Q.92:17-21
Prophet said
“Whoever is desirous to visualize the Resurrection Day, let him read Chapters: Q.81- “When the sun is shrouded in darkness…..” and Q.82- “When the sky is cleft asunder…..”, and Q.84 - “When the sky is split asunder…..” --- H: Ahmed and Tirmizi. N: Ibn Omar.
The Chapters recommended in the above Tradition are in fact quite brief, and powerful reminders of the Last Day.
“Actions are (judged) only according to the conscious intentions (which prompted them); and unto everyone will be accounted what he consciously intended”* – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Omar bin Khattab.
*I.e., while doing whatever he did. This basic, extremely well authenticated Tradition is quoted by Bukhari in seven places, as well as by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da’ud, Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal, and several other compilations. In this connection it is to be noted that in the ethics of the Qur’an, the term “action”(‘amal) comprises also a deliberate “omission” of actions, whether good or bad, as well as a deliberate voicing of beliefs, both righteous and sinful: in short, everything that man consciously aims at and expresses by word or deed. (Asad)
“Whoever is desirous to visualize the Resurrection Day, let him read Chapters: Q.81- “When the sun is shrouded in darkness…..” and Q.82- “When the sky is cleft asunder…..”, and Q.84 - “When the sky is split asunder…..” --- H: Ahmed and Tirmizi. N: Ibn Omar.
The Chapters recommended in the above Tradition are in fact quite brief, and powerful reminders of the Last Day.
“Actions are (judged) only according to the conscious intentions (which prompted them); and unto everyone will be accounted what he consciously intended”* – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Omar bin Khattab.
*I.e., while doing whatever he did. This basic, extremely well authenticated Tradition is quoted by Bukhari in seven places, as well as by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da’ud, Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal, and several other compilations. In this connection it is to be noted that in the ethics of the Qur’an, the term “action”(‘amal) comprises also a deliberate “omission” of actions, whether good or bad, as well as a deliberate voicing of beliefs, both righteous and sinful: in short, everything that man consciously aims at and expresses by word or deed. (Asad)
