And the Great Judgment...

And the Great Judgment, where all human beings, from the beginning to the end, are gathered, needs such a large and level place. Some commentators have said that on That Day Allah spreads the present earth, much larger than it is now, in order to make room enough for all of His creatures.

"And casts forth what is within it and becomes empty." The consensus of scholars say that the meaning of the verse is that the Earth will suddenly cast forth what it has within its soil, of dead bodies, who will then have a re-birth for the eternal life. This is the same idea set forth in Surah Zilzal, No. 99, verse 2: "And the Earth throws up her burdens (from within)." And, it is also similar to what is said in Surah Nazi’at, No.

79, verses 13-14: "But it shall be only a single blast,” "When, behold, they shall be in the awakened state." Some commentators have said that besides human beings, mines and treasures, hidden within the soil, will erupt. It is also probable that the verse refers to the idea that molten lava, within the earth, will be carried out by violent and terrible earthquakes which then covers the surface of the earth and makes it level. Thereafter, the interior of the earth will be empty and quiet.

All of the above three commentaries, combined, are also possible. "And obeys its Lord, and it must." These events, which correlate with the submission of all creatures, indicate the destruction of the universe: the earth, the sky, treasures which, all-in-all, come to an end and give way to a new stage of life; the Eternal life. Moreover, as signs, they make it clear that Allah domain is over everything, especially the Resurrection.

Verily, man will be faced with the result of his actions; good or evil, when these events occur. Then, addressing mankind, it tells them of the fate on their path: “O man! Surely you are ever toiling on towards your Lord; painfully toiling, until you meet Him.” The term /kadh/ means ' toil ' and 'labour', or 'striving hard’. In the commentaries of 'Kashshaf ' and 'Fakhr-i-Razi' and also 'Ruh-al-Amin' the term has been meant as 'a scratch on the skin of the body'.

That is why it is used for the struggles which affect man's spirit. This verse points to a great principle throughout everyone's life. It says that this life is perpetually saturated with pain and labour, when it is for obtaining the articles of this world, and even more so for the eternal happiness and for gaining Allah’s favour. This is the nature of this world.