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Explanatory Note
The statement was meant to remind them of that glory and privilege in order to encourage them to seize the fresh opportunity presented to them by Islam to rejoin the community of believers and renew their covenant with God. But they are also being warned about “a day when no soul shall avail another in any way,” and no individual can save another.
This is one of the most important Islamic principles. Responsibility and accountability are personal and not collective, and are directly related to an individual’s will and freedom of choice. They are also based on divine justice. It is a principle that upholds the dignity and integrity of man and cultivates and strengthens his conscience. It raises his standards of morality and behaviour and enriches his wealth of values with which Islam has honoured him.
The verse further stresses that on that day, no intercession “shall be accepted..., nor ransom taken” from, or on behalf of, anyone. Unless a person has a record of faith and good deeds, nothing can save him or absolve his misdemeanours or intransigence towards God. Furthermore, he shall receive no support of any kind from anyone else.