إِنْ كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ جَمِيعٌ لَدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ
It was nothing but a single blast, and suddenly they are all brought before Us
إِنْ كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ جَمِيعٌ لَدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ
It was nothing but a single blast, and suddenly they are all brought before Us
The Quran speaks once again of a single blast, but now the scene is the gathering of people after they have been raised. In مَا يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً تَأْخُذُهُمْ وَهُمْ يَخِصِّمُونَThey are waiting for nothing but a single blast that will seize them while they are arguing with one another the blast was associated with the end of the lives of those present at the threshold of the Resurrection; here, following the blast of resurrection, everyone is brought to account.
The repeated expression “a single blast” emphasises how swiftly and effortlessly God's decree is carried out. Gathering people from every era, however numerous and widely dispersed, poses no difficulty for God. No one is left outside this assembly, nor can anyone choose not to attend.
“Brought before Us” indicates their appearance before divine judgement. The Day of Resurrection is a time of final judgement, when people are called to account for their deeds and for the rights they have violated or denied to one another. Differences of wealth, power and social standing no longer exempt anyone from accountability. All must face the truth of their actions before their Lord.