(42–43) “On the Day the Shin will be bared and they will be called to prostrate, but they will be unable to do so. Their eyes will be downcast, humiliation overwhelming them, for they had once been called to prostrate while they were sound.”

That is, when the Day of Resurrection comes and convulsions [and earthquakes] and horrors beyond imagination unfold, the Creator will come to pass judgment among His servants and recompense them. He will reveal His noble Shin, to which nothing is comparable, and all creation will behold such divine majesty and greatness as cannot be expressed. They will then be called to prostrate themselves before Allah. The believers, who used to prostrate themselves willingly and by choice, will do so; but when the wicked hypocrites attempt to prostrate, they will be unable. Their backs will become as rigid as cattle horns, leaving them unable to bend.

This recompense corresponds to the nature of their deeds: in this world, they were called to prostrate themselves before Allah, affirm His oneness, and worship Him while they were sound and free of any ailment, yet they arrogantly refused. Do not even ask about their condition that Day or their dreadful fate. Allah will be wrathful with them, the decree of punishment will have become inevitable for them, and every means of escape will have been severed. Neither regret nor excuses will avail them on the Day of Resurrection.

This contains enough to wrench hearts away from persisting in sin and [necessitates] making amends while the opportunity remains. Hence Allah Most High says: