and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both said, ‘We come willingly.’” [Fussilat: 11]. Allah Most High said to the Pen, “Write.” It asked, “My Lord, what shall I write?” He said, “Write all that shall come to pass until the Day of Resurrection” (1). Allah Most High also says, “Today We shall seal their mouths; their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to what they used to earn” [Yā Sīn: 65]. Thus, whenever Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—addresses anything, even an inanimate object, it responds to Allah and speaks. For this reason, He says, “On that Day it will recount its news, because your Lord will have inspired it.” His words “On that Day” mean on the day when the earth is shaken with its earthquake.

“People will depart in scattered groups,” meaning in separate groups, each heading toward his abode. The people of Paradise—may Allah make us among them—will head toward it, while the people of Hell—Allah’s refuge is sought—will be driven toward it: “On the Day We shall gather the God-fearing before the Most Merciful as an honored delegation and drive the evildoers to Hell as a thirsty herd. None will have power to intercede except those who have taken a covenant from the Most Merciful” [Maryam: 85–87]. Thus, people will depart in groups and companies, divided into widely differing categories, as Allah Most High says, “See how We have favored some over others; yet the Hereafter is greater in degrees and greater in distinction” [al-Isrā': 21].

“So that they may be shown their deeds” means that they will depart in scattered groups and see their deeds. Allah Most High will show them their deeds, whether good or evil: if good, then good; if evil, then evil. This will take place through the reckoning and the record. A person will be given his record either in his right hand or in his left, and will then be called to account on the basis of what it contains. Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—will call him to account. As for the believer, Allah Most High will meet with him privately and make him acknowledge his sins, saying, “You did such-and-such; you did such-and-such; and you did such-and-such,” until he admits and confesses. When he thinks that he is doomed, Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—will say, “I concealed them for you in this world, and today I forgive you for them” (2). As for the disbeliever—Allah’s refuge is sought—he