“He will say, ‘If only I had sent ahead for my life!’ * Then on that Day none will punish as He punishes, * and none will bind as He binds. * O tranquil soul! * Return to your Lord, well pleased and pleasing to Him. * Enter among My servants, * and enter My Paradise.”

“He will say, ‘If only I had taken a path with the Messenger! Woe to me! If only I had not taken so-and-so as an intimate friend!’”

This verse indicates that the life whose foundation and perfection should be pursued (1), and whose pleasures should be brought to completion, is the life in the everlasting abode, for it is the abode of eternity and permanence.

“Then on that Day none will punish as He punishes”—the one who neglected that Day and forgot to work for it.

“And none will bind as He binds.” They will be shackled together with chains of fire and dragged upon their faces through scalding water; then they will be burned in the Fire. Such is the recompense of the wicked. As for one whose heart is at peace with Allah, who believes in Him and affirms the truthfulness of His messengers, it will be said to him: “O tranquil soul!”—tranquil in the remembrance of Allah, resting in His love, and finding its delight in Allah.

“Return to your Lord,” who nurtured you through His blessings and bestowed such kindness upon you that you became one of His devoted servants and beloved ones, “well pleased and pleasing to Him.” That is, pleased with Allah and with the reward by which He has honored it, while Allah is pleased with it.

“Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise.” The soul will be addressed with these words on the Day of Resurrection, and it is also addressed with them at the time of death (2). [All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds.]

Commentary on Sūrat Lā Uqsimu bi-Hādhā al-Balad
A Meccan Surah (3)