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khāshiʿatan ʾabṣāruhum tarhaquhum dhillatun wa-qad kānū yudʿawna ʾilā s-sujūdi wa-hum sālimūna
With a humbled look [in their eyes], they will be overcast by abasement. Certainly, they were summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet sound.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Qalam – Verses 42-43
42. Remember the Day when the shin shall be laid bare out of fear and they shall be called to prostrate themselves, but they shall not be able to do likewise.
43. Then, their eyes will be cast down and ignominy will cover them. They used to be called to prostrate themselves, while they were healthy and good; however, they lack such power any longer.
The idiomatic expression
connotes desperation. It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that the mouths shall be sealed on that Day; one shall be totally enwrapped in fear; eyes shall stare; and souls shall reach the throats.13 The blessed Verse 42 is saying:
Some Qur’anic exegetes maintain that the expression implies fear and gravity of the matter, since it was common practice amongst the Arabs to lay their shins bare against hard tasks and make their utmost effort to remove the impediments. Everyone shall be called to prostrate themselves and show humbleness before God Almighty on the Day of Resurrection. Believers shall prostrate themselves, but sinners shall be unable to do likewise, since the vices deeply rooted in them in this world shall reveal themselves impeding them to prostrate themselves before Divine Pure Essence. In this vein, it is narrated from Imam ‘Ali (as) that Divine Light shall be unveiled on the Day of Resurrection.
Impressed by its Majesty and Glory, believers shall prostrate themselves, though hypocrites shall be unable to do likewise.14 The blessed Verse 43 is saying that then, their eyes will be cast down out of shame and regret and ignominy and disgrace will totally enwrap them. Having been tried at the Divine Tribunal, their eyes will be cast down and humility enwraps them. The blessed Verse proceeds to say that they used to be called to prostrate themselves, while they were healthy and good; however, they lack such power any longer and thus reflect their arrogance and disobedience on the Day of Resurrection.
How may they prostrate themselves on that Day? It is needless to say that people are called in this world to prostrate themselves through listening to ritual including congregation prayer calls. The Qur’anic Verses as well as the traditions narrated from the Noble Prophet (S) and the Infallible Imams (as) bear witness to such call addressed to all mankind.
Footnotes