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wa-law ʾanna li-kulli nafsin ẓalamat mā fī l-ʾarḍi la-ftadat bihī wa-ʾasarrū n-nadāmata lammā raʾawu l-ʿadhāba wa-quḍiya baynahum bi-l-qisṭi wa-hum lā yuẓlamūna
Were any soul that has done wrong to possess whatever there is on the earth, it would surely offer it for ransom. They will hide their remorse when they sight the punishment; and judgement will be made between them with justice and they will not be wronged.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Yunus – Verse 54
54. “And if every soul that has done injustice had all that is on earth, he would assuredly give it in ransom, and they declare (their) remorse when they see the Penalty. But the judgment between them will be with justice, and they will not be dealt with unjustly.”
The proper magnitude of this punishment is particularly emphasized in this verse concerning the Day of Judgment, where it implies that the divine punishment is so awe-inspiring and horrible that if each of the oppressors owned the entire wealth of the world, he would have paid all of it so as to be relieved from the harsh punishment awaiting him. The verse says:
“And if every soul that has done injustice had all that is on earth, he would assuredly give it in ransom...”
In fact they are ready to offer the greatest bribes imaginable in order to relieve themselves from the divine chastisement and to diminish the slightest possible portion of His punishment. However, it will never be accepted from them. Some of these Divine punishments are particularly spiritual in nature; that is, when they behold the punishment, they would declare their regret1. The verse continues saying:
“…and they declare (their) remorse when they see the Penalty...”
Then the Qur’an stresses that despite everything, justice will prevail and will be administered fairly among them and no oppression will be inflicted upon them. The verse says:
“…But the judgment between them will be with justice, and they will not be dealt with unjustly.”
Footnotes