Tafsir of Ya seen 36:50

Surah Ya-Sin (36): Verse 50

(50) So they will not be able (even) to make a bequest.

This emphasizes the severity of the situation, as even a sudden, customary shout can startle someone unaware. If a person is preoccupied with a critical matter and someone shouts at them, their heart trembles. This is even more pronounced for one who is not expecting the shout.

If the shout (of the Trumpet) is characterized by such intensity and power, and it strikes the heedless person who is preoccupied with their adversaries, the trembling will be complete, and the shock will be immense.

It is possible to interpret the phrase {يخصمون} (they dispute/contend) in the context of the Resurrection, meaning they deny its occurrence altogether, thus remaining heedless of it. This contrasts with one who believes it will happen, prepares for it, and awaits its arrival; such a person will not tremble. This is what is meant by the Almighty's saying: {And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will swoon, except whom Allah wills} (Az-Zumar: 68)—referring to those who believed in its occurrence and prepared for it.

We can draw an analogy: Consider someone who sees lightning and knows thunder will follow, versus someone who does not see it or know. The one who anticipates the thunder remains steadfast, while the heedless, distracted person will collapse.

Then, the verse clarifies the severity of the seizure, which is so swift that it does not allow them time to make a will. There are several points that illustrate this severity:

1. Inability to make a bequest: The phrase "they cannot make a bequest" implies an absolute inability, unlike simply "they do not make a bequest," which might suggest they could but choose not to.
2. The nature of the bequest (Tawṣiyah): A bequest is made through speech, and speech is quicker to manifest than action. If they cannot utter a single word, how could they perform an action that requires a long time, such as fulfilling obligations or returning usurped rights?
3. Choosing the bequest: Specifying the bequest (the most urgent utterance at the time of death) indicates an inability to utter even the most essential words.
4. Indefiniteness (Nakirah) in "a bequest": This implies they cannot make any bequest, even a simple one. Since a bequest can sometimes be made by gesture, being incapable of speech implies incapacity for anything else.
5. {Nor will they return to their families}: This clarifies the extreme need for a bequest. One who expects to return to their family might refrain from making a will due to a perceived lack of urgency. However, one who is certain they will not return must make a will. If they are unable to do so despite this pressing need, it indicates the utmost severity.

Regarding the phrase: {Nor will they return to their families}, there are two interpretations:

1. What we mentioned: They are certain they will not be granted respite long enough to reunite with their families, which necessitates making a will.
2. They will not return to their families, meaning they die and have no return to this world. A person traveling on a journey from which they know there is no return, and no reunion with family, will certainly make a will.

Then, the subsequent verse explains what follows the first blast (of the Trumpet):

{And the Trumpet will be blown, and behold, they will emerge from their graves swiftly toward their Lord.}