And when the most terrifying of speech is the threat of witnessing punishment, he increased in fear by stating that it is so that what the disobedient is punished with is ready. So if the questioning necessitates punishment, it is present with no one to prevent it from being inflicted immediately. And if it were not present, it would be impossible for the one who deserves it during the time of bringing it forth. So he said, emphasizing with the tool of delay: "Then" meaning after long, great, and truly terrifying matters, "you will surely be questioned" and our honor "on that Day" meaning [when] you see the Hellfire "about the blessings" meaning that which the excessive competition has led you to, even regarding cold water in summer and hot water in winter. Was your enjoyment of it in a manner of extravagance for the desire of luxury or was it for the desire of strength for the upbringing towards good? So it did not go beyond extravagance. The obedient believer asks a question of honor, and the disobedient asks a question of reproach and disdain. And the preposition of blessings may be for the absolute kind, and to this refers the hadith of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, reported by Al-Tirmidhi and others: "The Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, hosted Abu al-Haytham ibn al-Tihan with Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, and he fed them fresh dates and ripe dates and gave them cold water to drink and spread a mat for them in the shade. The Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said: 'Indeed, this is from the blessings that you will be questioned about: a cool shade, good ripe dates, and cold water.'" And it may be for perfection, and it may be from the signs of prophethood as in the hadith of Mahmood ibn Labid, may Allah be pleased with him, reported by Ahmad from a good chain: "Indeed, they said upon its descent: What blessings! And they were only the two black things: dates and water, and our swords are on our necks and the enemy is present. He said: 'Indeed, that will be.'" It has a witness from Al-Tabarani from Ibn al-Zubair, may Allah be pleased with both of them, and also from Al-Tabarani from Al-Hasan al-Basri as a mursal narration. The end of it has merged with its beginning in a manner that is among the most gentle of speech and the most precise of paths in prohibiting what leads to punishment. For when the wise person knows that before him is a question about everything he enjoys, he realizes that this will hinder him at the time of questioning about the delights of the great and immense Paradise. So his fear of the absolute questioning prevents him from enjoying what is permissible; how about what is disliked? And how about then what is forbidden? And how if the questioning is from an angel before whom the mountains melt in awe? And how if the questioning is in the manner of reproach? And how if it leads to punishment? So reflect on the words of your Creator, how gentle are His indications and how great are His expressions, in His warnings and His glad tidings - and Allah is the Most Merciful.