Qāf

لَقَدْ كُنتَ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَاءكَ فَبَصَرُكَ الْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ

وَقَالَ قَرِينُهُ هَذَا مَا لَدَيَّ عَتِيدٌ

22. [It will be said to him]: “Verily, you were [totally] heedless of this [scene]. Now We have removed from you your covering [of neglect] and sharp is your sight this Day!”

23. And his companion [angel] will say: “Here is [the Record of his deeds] ready with me!”

This world is the abode of neglect and the world to come is that of vigilance. This world cast the veil of neglect on man with its charming appearances and man in his turn makes veils of neglect for himself. The majority of Qur’anic exegets maintain that the blessed Verses in question are addressed to disbelievers. When they enter the Day of Resurrection, they are overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. It will be said unto them:

“This is the Day against which you were warned by the Prophets but you were heedless. Today, the veils are removed from your eyes and you sight is sharp. You see what you used to disbelieve and deny.”

According to Qur’anic exegets, the antecedent of the word ‘companion’ (qarina) in the blessed Verse 23 may be either of the twain aforesaid angels (raqib and ‘atid) recording man’s deeds on his right and left hand sides in this world. Thus, the ‘companion’ will say on the Day of Resurrection

“His deeds and states are recorded by me.”