The first des c r i p tion of the Great Day makes on tremble be because the Great Lord threatens the criminal disbelievers in the harshest language. In verse 16 of Surah Dukhan He says:
“The Day We shall seize them strongly, verily We shall exact retribution.”
The word “Batash” means to seize violently and the word “Kubra” is added for emphasis. “Inna muntaqimun” denotes the stress by the word “Inna” We a person studies these verses in parts he trembles in fear that the ever merciful and all-encompassing and strict God is giving this warning.
Some commentators have expressed the idea that the verse may be referring to the severe punishment the disbelievers got on the day of the Battle of Badr but the verse describes the severest and all encompassing form of punishment and this cannot be true for any day except the Day of Judgment. The previous verse too has the des c r i p tions that have nothing to do with the Battle of Badr.
In verse 47 of Surah Shura the second des c r i p tion is given in a new manner and
it says:
“A Day which cannot be averted comes from God”
There will be no scope to undo what is done; no possibility of returning to this world and no chance to regain what is lost.
Some commentators believe that this verse denotes finality because it says “A day from God which cannot be averted.”
A Day that will definitely come. According to them this sentence is close to the term “La Rayb fih” but the sentence after the verse tell us that the first explanation is more appropriate. “You shall not have any refuge on that day, nor will your denial be of any help.”
There is a possibility of a doubt that it means that no one has the power to dispel the commandment of God on that Day and this is more compatible to later part of the verse
Whichever interpretation we adopt will have the truth about the terrifying and severest punishment.