and you would have been filled with terror. He goes on: “Your very self would have been seized with fright at the mere sight of them, because of the aura of majesty with which Allah had clothed them, so that no one could reach them nor could any hand touch them until the decree written for them reached its appointed term and His power and sovereignty awakened them from their slumber at the moment He willed, making them a lesson for whomsoever of His creation He pleased and a sign for those of His servants against whom He intended to establish proof, so that all would know that the promise of Allah is true and that the Hour is coming—there is no doubt about it.” End quote.

Ibn al-Jawzi, commenting on Allah’s words, “and you would have been filled with terror,” said: “That is, fear and dread; for Allah protected them by surrounding them with terror so that no one could enter upon them. It is also said that their hair and nails had grown extremely long, and therefore anyone who looked at them would have fled in alarm.” This was reported by al-Zajjaj. End quote.

Al-Zamakhshari, on the same verse, said: “Terror here means the fear that fills the breast, and that is because of the awe with which Allah invested them. It has also been said that it was on account of the length of their nails and hair and the large size of their bodies, and it has been said it was due to the desolation of their place.” End quote.

Al-Baghawi, commenting on Allah’s words, “Had you looked at them, you would have turned and fled from them,” said: “because of the awe with which Allah invested them, so that no one could reach them until the decree had run its course; then Allah Most High would awaken them from…"