And ere that suffering comes upon you of a sudden...
And ere that suffering comes upon you of a sudden, without your being aware (of its approach), follow the most goodly (teaching) that has been revealed unto you by your Sustainer, أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَى علَى مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ ’An taquula nafsuy-yaa has-rataa ‘alaa maa far-rat-tu fii jambil-laahi wa ’in-kuntu laminas-saakhiriin! 56.
lest any human being should say (on Judgement Day), “Alas for me for having been remiss in what is due to God, and for having been indeed one of those who scoffed (at the truth)!” This verse invites the sinners to turn to the Lord before their case comes up to Him for His final decision.
Pardon could reasonably be had before being caught by the execution or the application of the law and before being held by justice to deal with the offence, and once the degree is passed there remains no room for any excuse for the one who never repented and went on committing the offence until caught and brought to account.
Thus a disbeliever and a sinner who throughout his life mocked at every admonition, would retrieve his position and all kinds of regrets would assail the individual with sighs of no avail. Anecdote from Allah (swt) for a blissful life in this World and the Hereafter Surah As – Saff, 61:10-13 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى تِجَارَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ Yaaa-’ay-yuhal-laziina ’aa-manuu hal ’adul-lukum ‘alaa tijaaratin-tunjii-kum-min ‘Azaabin ’aliim? 10.
O you who have attained to faith! Shall I point out to you a bargain that will save you from grievous suffering (in this world and in the life to come)? تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ Tu’-minuuna bil-laahi wa Rasuu-lihii wa tujaa-hiduuna fii Sabiilil-laahi bi-’amwaa-likum wa ’anfusi-kum ’in-kuntum ta‘-lamuun! 11.
You are to believe in God and His Apostle, and to strive hard in God’s cause with your possessions and your lives: this is for your own good - if you but knew it! يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ Yaghfir lakum zunuu-bakum wa yud-khil-kum Han-naatin tajrii min tah-tihal-’anhaaru wa masaa-kina tay-yibatan fii Jan-naati ‘Adn: zaalikal-Fawzul-‘aziim. 12.
✦ ✦ ✦