وَإِن كُلٌّ لَمّا جَميعٌ لَدَينا مُحضَرونَ
And all of them will indeed be presented before Us.
EXEGESIS
Muḥḍarūn is a plural passive participle from ḥaḍara, meaning he came after being absent, became present, or was present. So, ladaynā muḥḍarūn means they will be brought to our presence.
EXPOSITION
God emphasises that everyone from every nation is going to be presented before Him on the Day of Resurrection for reckoning and recompense. The day the earth is transformed into another earth and the heavens [as well], and they are presented before Allah, the one, the all-paramount. On that day, you will see the guilty bound together in chains (14:48-49); There is indeed a sign in that for him who fears the punishment of the hereafter. That is a day on which all humankind will be gathered, and it is a day witnessed [by all creatures] (11:103).
This verse emphasises that death is not an end but a gateway, which moves a person to the next stage of life in the next world, where everyone will be resurrected to enjoy their virtues or suffer their vices. If that is the case, why do people not learn lessons from the previously destroyed nations, and avert themselves from a painful end?!
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
Those destroyed will be presented in the hereafter after the resurrection, which means more punishment is expected for them. The conclusive meaning from all the various exegetical opinions is that every individual will be present with other individuals collectively in one congregation.
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself, I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
[1] Lane, p. 589.
[2] Tabrisi, 8/661.
[3] Mizan, 17/81.
[4] Amthal, 14/176-177.
[5] Razi, 26/64.
[6] John 5:28-30.