(40–44) “So I swear by the Lord of all points of sunrise and sunset that We are surely able * to replace them with better ones, and We cannot be outdone. * So leave them to indulge in vain discourse and play until they meet the Day they have been promised, * the Day they will emerge swiftly from their graves as though racing toward a landmark, * their eyes downcast and humiliation overwhelming them. That is the Day they were promised.”

This is Allah Most High’s oath by the rising and setting points of the sun, moon, and stars, for they contain dazzling signs of the resurrection and of His power to re-create their forms while they remain the very same individuals. As He Most High says, “and bring you into being in forms you do not know.”

“And We cannot be outdone”—that is, no one can outrun Us, escape Us, or thwart Us when We wish to bring him back. Thus, once resurrection and recompense have been established, while they persist in denying them and refusing to submit to Allah’s signs:

“So leave them to indulge in vain discourse and play”—that is, to indulge in false statements and corrupt beliefs, make a game of their religion, eat, drink, and enjoy themselves—“until they meet the Day they have been promised.” On that Day, Allah has prepared for them punishment and ruin as the consequence of their vain indulgence and play.

He then describes the state of creation when they meet their promised Day (1), saying: “the Day they will emerge from their graves”—that is, their tombs—“swiftly,” answering the caller’s summons and hastening toward it; “as though racing toward a landmark”—that is, [as though heading toward a marker], making for it and hastening (2). They will be unable to resist the caller or turn away from the herald’s summons. Rather, they will come abased and subdued to stand before the Lord of all worlds.

“Their eyes downcast and humiliation overwhelming them.” This is because humiliation and anxiety will have taken possession of their hearts and overwhelmed their innermost beings. Their eyes will thus be lowered, their movements stilled, and their voices silenced.

Such will be their state and final end on their Day, “the Day they were promised.” Allah’s promise must inevitably be fulfilled. [Completed, and praise be to Allah.]

Commentary on Surah Noah

﵇ It is Meccan