(12–21) “But you marvel while they mock. * When they are reminded, they take no heed. * When they see a sign, they ridicule it. * They say, ‘This is nothing but manifest magic. * When we have died and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected—* and our forefathers of old as well?’ * Say, ‘Yes—and you will be utterly humbled.’ * It will take only a single blast, and suddenly they will be looking on. * They will say, ‘Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense.’ * This is the Day of Decision that you used to deny.”
“But you marvel,” O Messenger—and O human being—at the denial of those who deny the resurrection after they have been shown mighty signs and sound proofs. Their denial truly calls for wonder and astonishment, for it is something that admits of no denial. Yet even more astonishing and outrageous than their denial is that “they mock” the one who brought them news of the resurrection. Mere denial did not satisfy them; they went so far as to ridicule the truth.
It is also astonishing that, “when they are reminded” of what they recognize through their innate dispositions and reason, are alerted to it, and have their attention directed toward it, “they take no heed.” If this is due to ignorance, it is among the clearest proofs of their profound dull-wittedness, since they have been reminded of something firmly rooted in the innate disposition, known through reason, and not open to doubt. If it is feigned ignorance and obstinacy, then it is even more astonishing and extraordinary.
It is [also] astonishing that, when proofs are established against them and they are reminded of signs before which the foremost men and keenest minds submit, they mock them and react with amazement.
It is also astonishing what they said of the truth when it came to them: “This is nothing but manifest magic.” They thus placed the truth—the highest and noblest of all things—on the level of the basest and most contemptible things.
It is also astonishing that they compared the power of the Lord of the earth and the heavens with that of the human being, who is deficient in every respect. Considering the resurrection far-fetched and denying it, they said: “When we have died and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected—and our forefathers of old as well?”
Since this was the full extent of their argument and all that they had to offer, Allah commanded His Messenger to answer them with a response intended to instill fear in them (1): “Say, ‘Yes,’” you and your forefathers of old will be resurrected, “and you will be utterly humbled”—humiliated and abased, unable to escape or resist Allah’s power.
“It will take only a single blast,” when Isrāfīl blows the Trumpet, “and suddenly they”—raised from their graves—“will be looking on.” They will be raised just as they were first created, complete in every part—barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. In that state they will display regret, disgrace, and loss, and cry out for woe and destruction.
“They will say, ‘Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense.’” They will then acknowledge what they used to ridicule in this world.
They will be told: “This is the Day of Decision”—the day judgment is passed among the servants concerning the rights owed between them and their Lord and those owed between them and the rest of creation.