Volume 10 Surah 12 - 15 - Enjoy Islam

Ibrahīm (Abraham) | GRACE AND GRATITUDE
dashing in confusion, with their heads lifted up, unable to turn their eyes from what they
behold, and their hearts an utter void.” (Verses 42-43)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) does not think that God may ever be unaware of
what the wrongdoers are perpetrating. It might appear so to some people who see
the wrongdoers enjoying a comfortable life in this world. Such people hear God’s
warning, but see nothing of it taking place in this life. This explains the deadline
which is fixed for their final punishment when they are given no further respite. That
takes place on the day when eyes stare fixedly in horror, unable even to wink. The
fear is so great that there is no blinking of a single eyelid.
This is followed by a picture of people rushing everywhere, unable to turn their
faces to anything. Their heads are raised upward, but this is unintentional for they
cannot move their heads. As they see the fearsome scene ahead of them, their eyes
are fixed and their hearts are void, containing nothing they remember or understand.
They are all empty.
It is to this day that God delays the wrongdoers’ punishment. Now they stand in
their position, overwhelmed by fear. In this scene they are like a small bird caught in
the claws of a predator: “Never think that God is unaware of what the wrongdoers are
doing. He only grants them respite till the Day when eyes will stare fixedly in horror, when
they will be dashing in confusion, with their heads lifted up, unable to turn their eyes from
what they behold, and their hearts an utter void.” (Verses 42-43)
The Prophet is required to warn people that when this day arrives, there can be no
excuses given and no evasion of responsibility. Another picture is then drawn of this
horrific day: “Hence, warn mankind of the Day when suffering may befall them; when those
who do wrong will say: ‘Our Lord, grant us respite for a short while, so that we may respond
to Your call and follow Your messengers.’ ‘Why? Did you not in time past swear that you
would suffer no decline? And you dwelt in the dwellings of those who wronged their own
souls before you. Yet you knew for certain how We had dealt with them, and We placed many
examples before you.’“ (Verses 44-45)
Warn them against the day when the suffering drawn earlier is bound to befall
them. At this point, the wrongdoers turn to their Lord with an urgent appeal, saying:
“Our Lord.” Now they say this while earlier they were bent on unbelief, associating
partners with Him: “Our Lord, grant us respite for a short while, so that we may respond to
Your call and follow Your messengers.” (Verse 44)
At this point the flow of the discourse is changed from the narrative form to that
of an address, as though they are now at that point, staring fixedly in horror, making
their passionate appeal. This whole world is rolled over and we seem to be already in
the hereafter, and they are being reproached from on high, reminded of the wrongs
they used to do in their first life: “Why, did you not in time past swear that you would
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