Tafseer Ibn Kathir of YUNUS [45]

45. And on the Day when He shall gather them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed (in the life of this world and graves) but an hour of a day. They will recognize each other. Ruined indeed will be those who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided. To remind people of the establishment of the Hour and their resurrection from their graves to the gathering for the Day of Judgment, Allah says:

(And on the Day when He shall gather (resurrect) them.) Similarly Allah said:

(On the Day when they will see that (torment) with which they are promised (threatened, it will be) as if they had not stayed more than an hour in a single day.)ï´¿46:35ï´¾ Allah also said:

(The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning.) ï´¿79:46ï´¾

(The Day when the Trumpet will be blown (the second blowing): that Day, We shall gather the criminals, blue eyed. They will speak in a very low voice to each other (saying): ”You stayed not longer than ten (days).'' We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: ”You stayed no longer than a day!'') ﴿20:102-104﴾ and,

(And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the criminals will swear that they stayed not but an hour.)ï´¿30:55ï´¾ These all are evidence of the brevity of the worldly life compared to the Hereafter. Allah said:

(He (Allah) will say: ”What number of years did you stay on earth'' They will say: ”We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account.'' He (Allah) will say: ”You stayed not but a little, if you had only known!'') ﴿23:112-124﴾ Allah then said:

(They will recognize each other) The children will know their parents and relatives will recognize one another. They will know them just like they used to know them during the life in this world. However, on that Day everyone will be busy with himself. Allah then said:

(Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them.)ï´¿23:101ï´¾ Allah also said:

(And no friend will ask a friend (about his condition).)ï´¿70:10ï´¾ Allah then said:

(Ruined indeed will be those who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided.) This is similar to the Ayah:

(Woe that Day to the deniers.)ï´¿77:15ï´¾ Woe to them because they will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. That is indeed the great loss. There is no loss greater than the loss of one who will be taken away from his dear ones on the Day of Grief and Regret.