وَأَنَّ سَعيَهُ سَوفَ يُرىٰ

And that he will soon be shown his endeavour.

EXPOSITION

This verse is glad tidings for the righteous believers and a warning to the evildoers, as it declares that every person will come to face what they have done. Facing one’s actions is something mentioned often: the day when every soul will find present whatever good it has done; and as to whatever evil it has done it will wish there were a far distance between it and itself (3:30); see also 99:6.

This verse also confirms much of what we have already discussed regarding the value of actions having not only immediate consequences but also further on. God declares here that what is shown to man is not simply his actions but his endeavour, which has a far wider scope.

It has been said that yurā (shown) means here that the good deeds and endeavours of the believer will be shown to the angels and the rest of creation, and that this is done to bring joy to the believer.^{‎[1]Razi, 29/277.}

However, yurā may also allude to the concept of tajassum al-aʿmāl (the manifestation of actions).^{‎[2]The concept is a matter of debate amongst scholars; some have accepted it, whilst others have rejected it. See for example Bihar, 7/229-230.} Namely, that on the Day of Judgement (or in the intermediate world of barzakh) a person will see his actions manifested in various forms. This allusion may be found in many verses of the Quran, such as: On that day, mankind will issue forth in various groups to be shown their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it (99:6-8).

The classical exegetes have also had discussions about how it is possible that actions are preserved as they disappear after they are performed. However, for the modern reader who is familiar with the digital world, it is surely easier to imagine how an action might be seen even after it has passed. Although it is entirely possible to understand the verse more figuratively, that being shown is here referring to the reward of that action,^{‎[3]Razi, 29/277.} or seeing it with the heart;^{‎[4]Tabrisi, 10/799.} in other words, understanding and seeing the consequences of that action.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. From Imam Ali (a): ‘The one who is pleased with the actions of a people is like the one who engages in it with them, and for anyone who participates in a falsehood there are two sins: the sin of acting upon it and the sin of being pleased with it.’^{‎[5]Nahj, saying 154.}

Note: This hadith illustrates what we have mentioned, namely the wide scope of endeavour. It also serves to explain the first hadith mentioned in the commentary of the previous verse, which can be understood that a person’s love for good or evil can also count for or against him.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.^{‎[6]Obadiah 1:15.}
2. Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me to give to each one according to his work.^{‎[7]Revelation 22:12.}

[1] Razi, 29/277.
[2] The concept is a matter of debate amongst scholars; some have accepted it, whilst others have rejected it. See for example Bihar, 7/229-230.
[3] Razi, 29/277.
[4] Tabrisi, 10/799.
[5] Nahj, saying 154.
[6] Obadiah 1:15.
[7] Revelation 22:12.