(1–12) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. When the Inevitable Event occurs, there will be no denying its occurrence. It will abase some and exalt others. When the earth is shaken violently, and the mountains are utterly crushed, becoming scattered dust, you will be divided into three groups: the Companions of the Right—what will the Companions of the Right be! And the Companions of the Left—what will the Companions of the Left be! And the foremost shall be the foremost. They are the ones brought near, in Gardens of Bliss.”
The Most High informs us of the state of the Inevitable Event, which must assuredly occur: the Resurrection, concerning which “there will be no denying its occurrence.” That is, there can be no doubt about it, for both rational and revealed proofs attest to it, and His wisdom, Most High, points to it.
“It will abase some and exalt others.” That is, it will abase some people to the lowest depths and exalt others to the highest ranks. Alternatively, it will lower its voice so that those nearby hear it and raise it so that those far away hear it.
“When the earth is shaken violently,” that is, when it is set in motion and convulsed.
“And the mountains are utterly crushed,” that is, pulverized.
“Becoming scattered dust.” The earth will then have neither mountain nor landmark upon it, but will be a level, barren plain in which you will see neither depression nor elevation.
“You will be divided”—O creation—“into three groups”; that is, you will be divided into three groups according to your good and evil deeds.
He then detailed the condition of these three groups, saying: “The Companions of the Right—what will the Companions of the Right be!” This magnifies their standing and emphasizes the greatness of their condition.
“And the Companions of the Left”—that is, those on the left—“what will the Companions of the Left be!” This emphasizes the horror of their condition.
“And the foremost shall be the foremost. They are the ones brought near.” ⦗833⦘ That is, those who hastened toward good deeds in this world will be the foremost to enter the Gardens in the Hereafter.
Those who possess this description are the ones brought near to Allah, dwelling in Gardens of Bliss, in the highest ranks and loftiest abodes, above which there is no abode.
Of those mentioned, “a multitude will be from the earlier generations”; that is, a great number from the earlier generations of this nation and from others.