(96–97) “Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose and surge down from every elevation, and the true promise draws near, behold, the eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: ‘Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this. In fact, we were wrongdoers.’”

This is a warning from Allah to people against persisting in disbelief and sin. The release of Gog and Magog has drawn near. They are two immense tribes descended from Adam. Dhul-Qarnayn confined them behind a barrier after their corruption in the land was brought to his attention. At the end of time, the barrier will be opened, and they will emerge against humanity in the state and manner described by Allah: rushing swiftly from every elevation. This indicates their overwhelming numbers and the speed with which they will spread throughout the earth, whether by their own movement or by means Allah creates for them that bring distant places near and make difficulties easy. They will overpower people and gain supremacy over them in this world, and no one will have the power to fight them.

“And the true promise draws near”—that is, the Day of Resurrection, whose coming Allah has promised; and His promise is true and certain. On that Day, you will see the disbelievers’ eyes staring fixedly because of the intense terrors, dreadful horrors, and staggering upheavals, and because they will recognize their crimes and sins. They will cry out for woe and destruction, filled with regret and anguish over what they have lost, saying: “We were indeed heedless of this” momentous Day. We remained wholly immersed in heedlessness, enjoying the diversions of this world, until death overtook us and we came to the Resurrection. If anyone could die from regret and anguish, they would surely die from them. “In fact, we were wrongdoers.” They will acknowledge their wrongdoing and Allah’s justice toward them. They and all that they used to worship will then be ordered into the Fire. Thus He says: