Tafseer of The Overthrowing · At-Takwir · 81:14
A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it].
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
His statement: عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَا أَحْضَرَتْ ("then a soul will know what it has brought forth") — He, exalted is His mention, says: then a soul will know at that moment what it has brought forth of good, by which it goes to Paradise (janna), or of evil, by which it goes to the Fire. He says: at that moment there becomes clear to it what was previously unknown to it, and what constituted its welfare as opposed to what did not.
And in accordance with what we have said about this, the exegetes (ahl al-taʾwīl) have spoken.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda: عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَا أَحْضَرَتْ ("then a soul will know what it has brought forth") of deeds — he said: ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said: and at this the narration concluded.
And His word: عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَا أَحْضَرَتْ ("then a soul will know what it has brought forth") is the response (the main clause) to His word: إِذَا الشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ ("When the sun is wound round") and what follows it, as one says: "when ʿAbdallāh stands up, ʿAmr sits down."
