(47–48) “Even if the wrongdoers possessed all that is on earth, and as much again with it, they would offer it to ransom themselves from the terrible punishment on the Day of Resurrection. And there will become apparent to them from Allah that which they had never expected.”

Having mentioned that He is the Judge between His servants, and having described the polytheists’ claim and its hideousness, it is as though souls now yearn to know what Allah will do to them on the Day of Resurrection. He therefore informs us that theirs will be “the terrible punishment”—that is, the most severe and dreadful punishment—just as theirs was the gravest and most hideous disbelief. Supposing, hypothetically, that they possessed everything on earth—its gold, silver, pearls, animals, trees, crops, every kind of vessel and furnishing—and as much again besides, and then offered it all on the Day of Resurrection to ransom themselves from the punishment and escape it, it would not be accepted from them, nor would it avail them at all against Allah’s punishment: “On the Day when neither wealth nor children will avail, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”

“And there will become apparent to them from Allah that which they had never expected”—that is, the immense wrath and profound abhorrence, though they had ⦗727⦘ judged otherwise in their own favor.