—a single, level surface: if someone at one end speaks, those at the other end will hear him; vision will encompass them, so the onlooker will see them all. That is unlike this world, where the earth is curved and spherical; in the Hereafter it will be one flat expanse, just as He—glorified is He—said: “When the earth is stretched out and casts out whatever is within it, emptying itself” (84:3-4). It will be stretched the way a hide is stretched.

On that tremendous Day all people will stand before Allah-Most High for reckoning and requital. The length of that Day will be fifty thousand years. The sun will hover above them at a distance of only one mile. There will be no tree to shade them, no building, nothing at all—except for those whom Allah shelters beneath His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His. I ask Allah to make me and you among them.

On that awesome Day these short-measurers will meet their punishment. No child, father, mother, spouse—no one—will be able to help; each person that Day will have enough to preoccupy him. So let such short-measurers beware, fear Allah, and render people’s rights in full. If they add something extra, that is better for them. Likewise, they are entitled to take their own rights in full, yet if they show lenience, that is even better. Allah is the One who grants success.

1367 – Abu Hurayrah (d. 59 AH) reported that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ demanding repayment of a debt and spoke to him harshly. The Companions were about to deal with him, but the Messenger of Allah said, “Leave him alone, for the creditor has the right to speak.” He then said, “Give him a camel of the same age as the one he is owed.” They said, “Messenger of Allah, we have only a better camel.” He replied, “Give it to him, for the best of you are those who repay their debts in the finest manner.” Agreed upon.