Az-Zumar (The Groups)

47. And those who did wrong, if they had all that is on earth and therewith as much again, they verily, would offer it to ransom themselves therewith on the Day of Resurrection from the Divine excruciating torment [though it shall be of no avail], and there will become apparent to them from Allah what they had not been reckoning.

There shall be no ransom for wrong doers on the Day of Judgment, as a consequence of which the blessed Verse in question says:

“If wrong doers had all that is on earth and therewith as much again, they verily, would offer it to ransom themselves therewith on the Day of Resurrection from the Divine excruciating torment [though it shall be of no avail].”

Wrong doing (shirk) ad hoc bears a wide range of meaning which includes polytheism and other wrong doings as well.

The blessed Verse proceeds further to add:

“there will become apparent to them from Allah what they had not been reckoning.”

They may not imagine the torments to be inflicted upon them. Besides, they falsely imagine that Divine Mercy will be granted to them but they were unaware of His Wrath. They do deeds which are supposed by them to be good deeds whereas some of their deeds were grave sins.

It stands against the Promise given to believers¹ :

“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.”

It is reported that on death bed, a Muslim was quite restless.

Upon inquiry, he replied:

“I recalled the Verse

‘and there will become apparent to them from Allah what they had not been reckoning’

and fear wrapped me up. I fear that there will become apparent to me from Allah what I had not been reckoning.”2