Surah Al Jathiyah Tafseer

وَتَرَى كُلَّ أُمَّةٍ جَاثِيَةً

And you will see each nation humbled to their knees (Jathiyah),

kneeling, fearful of the tremendous calamity and events.

It was said that this will occur when Hellfire will be brought forth, for she will exhale once, and everyone will fall to their knees, including Ibrahim, the Khalil. He will proclaim, "Myself, myself, myself! Today, I will not ask You (O Allah) but about myself."

And even `Isa, will proclaim, "Today, I will only argue before You on my own behalf, I will not ask You about Maryam, who gave birth to me."

Allah said next,

كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ تُدْعَى إِلَى كِتَابِهَا

each nation will be called to its Record.

meaning, Record of deeds.

Allah said in a similar Ayah,

وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَـبُ وَجِـىءَ بِالنَّبِيِّيْنَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ

And the Book will be presented; and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward, (39:69)

This is why Allah said here,

الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

This Day you shall be recompensed for what you used to do.

`you will be judged according to your deeds, good and evil.'

Allah said in similar Ayat;

يُنَبَّأُ الاِنسَـنُ يَوْمَيِذِ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ

بَلِ الاِنسَـنُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ

وَلَوْ أَلْقَى مَعَاذِيرَهُ

On that Day man will be informed of what he sent forward, and what he left behind. Nay! Man will be a witness against himself, though he may put forth his excuses. (75:13-15)

Allah said