Surah al-Anbiya' (The Prophets ) 21 : 99

Overview (Verses 96 - 104)

One Destiny for Idol and Worshipper
 
We are then presented with a scene of the Day of Resurrection, starting with a sign that signals its approach. This sign is the opening of the gates for Gog and Magog:
 
When Gog and Magog are let loose and swarm down from every corner, when the true promise draws close [to its fulfilment], staring in horror shall be the eyes of the unbelievers, [and they will exclaim:] ‘Oh, woe to us! Of this we were indeed heedless. We have assuredly done wrong.’ (Verses 96-97)
 
When we discussed the account given in Sūrah 18, The Cave, of Dhu’l-Qarnayn and its reference to Gog and Magog, we said that the true promise of the hereafter may have already drawn close to its fulfilment when the Tartars swarmed eastwards to destroy states and empires. Indeed at the time of the Prophet himself, the Qur’ān states clearly: “The Last Hour has drawn close.” (54: 1) Nevertheless, its drawing close does not specify a particular time when it will actually take place. To God, time is totally different from our own calculation of days, months and years.
 
What is intended here is to describe what happens on that day when it actually arrives, and to introduce it with a miniature scene of what is familiar to human beings. This is the scene of Gog and Magog being let loose, and their swarming down from every corner in a fast moving image. The Qur’ān often uses notions that are familiar to man and elevates these to draw scenes of the hereafter.
 
The scene portrayed here stresses the element of surprise that takes the onlookers: Thus, “staring in horror shall be the eyes of the unbelievers.” (Verse 97) They shall not wink because of the great horror that has taken them by surprise. The text uses inversion here to bring forward the actual stirring in order to provide added emphasis.
 
The sūrah does not go on to describe their condition further. Instead, it shows them speaking to give more life to the scene: “Oh, woe to us! Of this we were indeed heedless. We have assuredly done wrong.” (Verse 97) This is the cry of one in utter distress. He is at a total loss, his eyes are stirring and he invokes a curse upon himself, acknowledging his past errors, and repents when repentance is no longer of any use.
 
When this confession is made in such shock, the final verdict is announced. It cannot be changed: “You and all that you were wont to worship instead of God are but the fuel of hell: that is what you are destined for.” (Verse 98)
 
The style employed here shows them as if they are now facing the ultimate reckoning, being taken to hell together with their worshipped idols. They are practically thrown in it mercilessly, as though they are small pebbles and hell is being stoned with them. At this moment, they are shown the falsity of their claims that these were deities. The proof is seen in that very scene: “If those [objects of your worship] had truly been divine, they would not have been destined for it.” (Verse 99) This is logical proof taken from a scene showing them, while they are still in this life, something that takes place in the hereafter. The sūrah then goes on to show them actually in hell, describing their abode and conditions in it. They are in a state that deprives them of their receptive faculties: “But there all shall abide. There they will be groaning with anguish, and bereft of hearing.” (Verses 99-100)
 
Believers, on the other hand, are spared all this hardship, because they have been promised a goodly life in the hereafter: “But those for whom [the decree of] ultimate good has already gone forth from Us will be kept far away from that hell, hearing none of its hissing sound. They will abide in all that their souls have ever desired.” (Verses 101-102)
 
The phrase, ‘its hissing sound’, or its one word equivalent in Arabic used here, hasīsahā, belongs to a number of Qur’ānic terms with sounds that impart meaning. It describes the sound of the fire as it rages and burns. It is an extremely frightening sound. Hence, those given the promise of a good destiny are spared that sound, let alone suffering it. They are saved from the terror that leaves the unbelievers in a state of utter loss. Instead they enjoy whatever they desire, in complete security and bliss. They are warmly received by the angels, who give them comforting company, when the general atmosphere is one of horror: “The Supreme Terror will cause them no grief since the angels will receive them with the greeting, ‘This is your day which you were promised.’” (Verse 103)
 
The scene is now drawn to its close, showing the ultimate state of the universe, which contributes to the great terror that overwhelms all on that day: “On that day We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll of parchment.” (Verse 104) Thus, the heavens are folded up since all matters have been settled, the reckoning is over, and the universe known to man has no further function to perform. A new world is born in a new universe: “As We brought into being the first creation, so We shall bring it forth anew. That is a promise We willed upon Ourselves. We are indeed able to do all things.” (Verse 104)