“And the mountains will be set in motion and become a mirage (20). Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait (21), a place of return for the transgressors (22), where they will remain for ages (23).”

“And the mountains will be set in motion”: away from the face of the earth, “and become a mirage”—that is, scattered dust which appears to the beholder like a mirage. “Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait”: it is a road and passageway; no one can reach Paradise without passing over the Fire.

It was also said that “it has been lying in wait” means that it has been prepared for them. One says, “I have set aside [something] for him” (1), when I have prepared it for him.

It was also said that it derives from the expression, “I watch for something,” meaning that I await it. A watch-post is the place from which a watchman watches the enemy. Thus, His saying, “Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait,” means that it lies in wait for the disbelievers.

Muqsim narrated from Ibn Abbas that there are seven holding stations upon the bridge over Hell. At the first of them, the servant will be questioned concerning the testimony that there is no god but Allah. If he answers it completely (2), he will pass on to the second. There he will be questioned about the prayer; if he answers it completely (3), he will pass on to the third. There he will be questioned about the zakah; if he answers it completely (4), he will pass on to the fourth. There he will be questioned about fasting; if he has fulfilled it completely, he will pass on to the fifth. There he will be questioned about the pilgrimage; if he has fulfilled it completely, he will pass on to the sixth. There he will be questioned about the lesser pilgrimage; if he answers it completely (5), he will pass on to the seventh. There he will be questioned concerning wrongs done to others. If he is cleared of them, [he will proceed]; otherwise, it will be said: “See whether he has any voluntary deeds by which his deeds may be completed.” Once this has been settled, he will be taken to Paradise.

“For the transgressors”: that is, the disbelievers. “A place of return”: a destination to which they will return. “Remaining”: Hamzah and Yaqub recited it as “labithin,” without an alif, while the majority recited “labithin” with an alif (6). Both are valid linguistic forms. “Therein for ages”: this is the plural of a period; one period is eighty years, each year consisting of twelve months, each month thirty days, and each day a thousand years (7). This was narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him.

Mujahid said: “The ages” are forty-three periods, each period consisting of seventy autumns, each autumn comprising seven hundred years, each year three hundred and sixty days, and each day a thousand years.