Page 62 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

Then they will acknowledge their wrong actions. Away
with the Companions of the Blaze! (Surat al-Mulk, 7-11)
While they were in this world, the disbelievers failed to
consider in advance that they would meet that day, and
wasted their lives being heedless of the reminders given them,
out of arrogance and pride. Once they meet the punishment,
on the other hand, they will plead to return to the world, to en-
gage in good deeds, to obey what they were called to, that is, to
follow the good word. Allah will respond to their plea as fol-
lows:
They will shout out in it, "Our Lord! Take us out! We
will act rightly, differently from the way we used to act!"
Did We not let you live long enough for anyone who
was going to pay heed to pay heed? And did not the
warner come to you? Taste it then! There is no helper for
the wrongdoers. (Surah Fatir, 37)
The Qur'an also reveals that this insufferable punishment
will not even abate for an instant. The punishment of the Fire
will be so severe that the disbelievers will pray for the allevia-
tion of it for even a single day:
Those in the Fire will say to the custodians of Hell, "Call
on your Lord to make the punishment less for us for just
one day." They will ask, "Did your Messengers not
bring you the Clear Signs?" They will answer, "Yes."
They will say, "Then you call!" But the calling of the dis-
believers only goes astray. (Surah Ghafir, 49-50)
However, the mourning, calling out and pleading of the
disbelievers will be to no avail, for, as the verse informs, each
person is granted sufficient time in the life of this world to take
notice.

60 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD