The wonders of the Quran never cease. Allah, glorified be He, has made His intent clear with perfect precision. Confusion arises, however, for those who are not firmly grounded in understanding the evidence and what it indicates. This surah, like others, contains inexhaustible wonders. Among them is that His statement,

“Who, then, can deny your account of the Recompense after this?”

mentions both the Messenger who is denied and the Recompense that is denied. The surah encompasses both matters. It includes an oath by the places associated with the messengers, which testify to their greatness and to the signs they brought—signs that establish their truthfulness and require belief. They foretold the Resurrection mentioned in this surah. Allah has sworn to its occurrence, just as He does elsewhere, and just as He commanded His Prophet to swear to it in such statements as:

“Those who disbelieve claim that they will never be resurrected. Say, ‘Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected.’”

And:

“Those who disbelieve say, ‘The Hour will never come upon us.’ Say, ‘Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come upon you.’”

Since the surah encompasses both matters, He mentions both kinds of denial, saying:

“Who, then, can deny your account of the Recompense after this?”

And Allah, glorified be He, knows best.

Moreover, he bears no sin for that, whereas the Quran intends to make clear that this return is a recompense for his sins. Hence He says, “Except those who believe and do