Page 34 - The Day of Judgment

32 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

On that Day, the Subduer's command will have everything
under its control, living or nonliving. A great fear will dominate
every scene. People who panic at the slightest tremor, and who,
fearing for their lives, cannot return to their homes for hours
afterwards, will be in an unbearable situation when they see the
mountains shaken from their places, the ground spitting out
everything that it had concealed, graves being turned inside out,
disaster chasing disaster, and all people being gathered together.
There will be no one left to trust, and no safe refuge. The event's
terror will pass far beyond their limits of endurance. There will be
nothing that they can do, no starting over, and no place left to go.
The new beginning is in the Hereafter, which is endless and full of
suffering and remorse for those who did not seek Allah's good
pleasure while they were alive. All of their worldly pleasures,
ambitions, and life are finished. The terror they encounter will
reflect Allah's infinite power.
In truth, Allah's Messengers and the believers have informed
them of these facts. But this devastating Day seemed far off, and so
they relied on temporary possessions and themselves. Allah reveals
that the unbelievers have been warned, as follows:
Warn mankind of the Day when the punishment will reach
them. Those who did wrong will say: "Our Lord, reprieve us
for a short time. We will respond to Your call and follow the
Messengers." [But it will be said] "But did you not swear to Me
before that you would never meet your downfall, even though
you inhabited the houses of those who had wronged
themselves, and it was made clear to you how We had dealt
with them, and We gave you many examples?" (Surah Ibrahim,
44-45)

Now they are all alone amidst the danger. Everybody fears for