Al-Muddaththir (The Cloaked One)

35. It [the frightful incidents on the Day of Resurrection] is but one of the greatest issues.

36. A warning to all mankind,

37. To any of you that chooses to go forward or to lag behind [namely proceed or not to proceed toward Guidance].

The blessed Verses in question treat of the objects of the oaths and frightening incidents on the Day of Resurrection, Hell, and the angels of torment indubitably constitute significant issues. The Arabic adjectival form kubar denotes “great, significant.”

The antecedent of the pronoun in innaha is either

saqar (“Hell”)

or

junud (“Lord’s Host”),

or all the incidents to occur on the Day of Resurrection; the greatness of each and every of them is crystal clear.

The blessed Verse 36 proceeds to say that the goal behind the creation of Hell is not seeking revenge, but it serves as a warning to mankind against the frightening torment in store for the disbelievers, the sinners, and the enemies of Truth.

The blessed Verse 37 lay further emphasis on the point, saying that the warning is not particular to a specific group but it addresses all mankind, to anyone who opts for taking precedence by proceeding toward doing good righteous deeds and obedience to Allah, and to those who intend to lag behind. Good for those who takes precedence and woe unto those who intend to lag behind.

Some Qur’an exegetes also maintain that precedence and lagging behind herein reflects proceeding or not proceeding toward Hellfire. Some also hold that taking precedence indicates human self and its development and growth or its decadence and lagging behind.