“None will speak except one whom the Most Merciful permits and who speaks rightly.” That is, none will speak—neither angels nor anyone else—as Allah Most High says, “All voices will be hushed before the Most Merciful, and you will hear nothing but a whisper” [Tā-Hā: 108]. “Except one whom the Most Merciful permits” to speak; he will speak only as he has been permitted. “And who speaks rightly” means that he will utter words that are right and accord with what pleases Allah—Glorified and Exalted. This will occur through intercession: when Allah permits someone to intercede, he will intercede concerning only that for which permission has been granted and only to the extent permitted.
“That is the True Day.” That is, the Day about which We have informed you is the true and certain Day. Truth is the opposite of falsehood: it is the established Day on which truth and justice will prevail, “the Day when neither wealth nor children will avail, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” “So whoever wills, let him take a path of return to his Lord.” That is, whoever wills should perform deeds by which he may return to Allah—namely, righteous deeds that accord with what pleases Allah Most High.
His words, “So whoever wills, let him take a path of return to his Lord,” are qualified by another verse, in which Allah Most High says, “For whoever among you wills to take the straight path. Yet you cannot will unless Allah, Lord of all worlds, wills” [al-Takwīr: 28–29]. This means that we have the power to choose the course we take, and no one compels us to do anything. Nevertheless, our choice, will, and volition ultimately depend upon Allah: “You cannot will unless Allah wills.” Allah explains this in His Book so that a person will not rely upon himself or his own will, but will know that it is bound to Allah’s will. He will therefore turn to Allah and ask Him for guidance to what He loves and is pleased with. A person should not say, “I am free: I may will whatever I wish and act however I please.” We say: That is so, but you remain bound by the will of Allah—Mighty and Majestic.
“Indeed, We have warned you of a punishment near at hand.” That is, We have made you fear a punishment that is near: the Day of Resurrection. The Day of Resurrection is near, even if this world were to remain for millions of years: “On the Day they see it, it will be as though they had remained only for an evening or its morning” [al-Nāzi‘āt: 46]. Thus, the punishment of which Allah has warned us is near. Nothing stands between a person and it except death, and no one knows when he will die; he may—