Translation
Those who believe and who do good (it is all within your ability) as We do not put a burden on any soul beyond what it can bear—these are the companions of Paradise where they will reside. We will cleanse them of any ill feelings in their hearts, and water will flow beneath their feet. They will say: Thanks to God Who guided us to this (outcome)! We could not have found guidance if God had not guided us. (We knew that) the Messengers of God came with the truth from our Sustainer God. And it will be declared to them: “This is the Garden (Paradise) you have inherited by what you did (in your life on the earth).” The residents of Paradise will call out to the residents of Hellfire: “We have found the promise of our Sustainer to be true. Have you found the same to be true?” They (from Hellfire) will say: “Yes.” At this point an announcer will pronounce: “The displeasure of God is on those who are evil, who take people away from God’s path and distort the truth; they were truly in denial of the life after death.” (God will place) a veil between them (separating Paradise and Hell).
There is a group of people, discerning and aware of all the markers of truth, but not permitted to enter Paradise yet, which they fervently hope for, who will call out to the residents in Paradise: “Greeting of peace to you all.” And as they glance at the residents of Hellfire, they cry out: “Our Sustainer God, may you not place us with these evil people.” Again, the people discerning and having known the markers (of those who will find themselves in Hellfire) will call out: “Your arrogance and your accumulation of wealth (and power) were of no use. Is it about these people (who are now in Paradise) that you used to swear by God that they would have no mercy (from God)?” (God will now permit them to) enter Paradise, where you will have no fear and no reason to grieve!
The residents of Hellfire will call out to the residents of Paradise: “Could you pour us some water or give any provision God had given you?” They (the residents in Paradise) will reply: “Both are denied to those who have denied faith in God—who neglected the guidance and made fun of it and were deceived by their earthly life.” Therefore, this day We (God) will forsake them, as they were oblivious of this day of meeting (with their Creator), and they denied Our messages—a book that We brought to them to clarify things with knowledge, guidance, and mercy; for those who care to believe! Are they really waiting for the its finality—on the Day when it will come (all truth will become manifest), those we were unmindful of it will say: “(We do now realize) that the Messengers of God came with truth; is there anyone who can intercede on our behalf? Is there a way for us to go back so that we could do things differently than we did before?” These are the ones who have wasted their lives, and whatever errant beliefs they resorted to have failed them. 365
Interpretation
365 These verses offer a glimpse of life as it will unfold on the Day of Judgment so that we can visualize and perhaps develop a better appreciation for our present life and what is to come next. God starts out by saying that He never puts a task on a soul that is more than it is capable of handling or achieving, meaning that the ability to understand what is good and what is evil and to develop and sustain faith with goodness is already built into us (“God breathed His spirit into every soul”). Our ability to shape our lives and our societies on a path to peace and prosperity has also been motivated and guided by revelations and a constant flow of messengers throughout the ages so that we have no excuse that we did not know what to do or how to do it.
Now comes the visualization so that we can move to the future and see the state of affairs as it unfolds. Those who struggled for honor and dignity in this world through faith and good works and building societies on principles of truth, justice, and human dignity will be rewarded with Paradise, a place that each of us aspires to and strives toward. God rewards with Paradise those who have proved beyond doubt their abiding faith in God and persistent exertion to better the world—that is, those who have struggled to create a semblance of paradise on this planet will be rewarded with the real Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Then there are those who perhaps had faith, knew all the markers of good and bad, but perhaps did not do their utmost to shape their lives and societies accordingly. God will intimate to them the consequences of Paradise and Hellfire as they unfold in front of them on the Day of Judgment. As God says in chapter 102, “They will see with their own eyes and know with certainty on a Day when they will be questioned about their lives.” (102:7-8). This is a scenario being played forward for us so that we can visualize and perceive the realities that we will come face to face with, something that we cannot avoid.
The dire condition of those who will find themselves in Hellfire is also given. Their realization of the truth and their mistakes and misdeeds will become transparent to them, but there will be no turning back.
***
REFLECTION
Without proper reflection and deeper contemplation, one cannot fully appreciate life and its purpose. The constant presence of prophets, messengers, and people of goodwill among us; the Books of Revelations that we can read; the constant yearning and reminders in our soul and inner consciousness about goodness and truth and the feeling and reasoning that God embedded in our physical makeup to discern evils—these all are tools and resources at our disposal given by God as manifestations of His mercy to mankind and a promise He made to Adam and Eve to protect and preserve them from the Devil and his mischief.
ACTION
Not paying attention to these realities, not using the tools at our disposal, and not being driven by godliness and goodness is a serious malaise that we cannot afford as individuals and as societies. As God said, “We do not change the condition of a people unless they bring change in themselves.” (13:11) This is a rule that we must fully understand and implement to prove our worth as His superior creation.