Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And you will see each nation humbled to their knees (kneeling): each nation will be called to its Record (of deeds). This Day you shall be recompensed for what you used to do.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَتَرَىٰwatarāAnd you will see
كُلَّkullaevery
أُمَّةٍۢummatinnation
جَاثِيَةًۭ ۚjāthiyatankneeling
كُلُّkulluEvery
أُمَّةٍۢummatinnation
تُدْعَىٰٓtud'ʿāwill be called
إِلَىٰilāto
كِتَـٰبِهَاkitābihāits record
ٱلْيَوْمَl-yawmaToday
تُجْزَوْنَtuj'zawnayou will be recompensed
مَاmā(for) what
كُنتُمْkuntumyou used to
تَعْمَلُونَtaʿmalūnado
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 28) ➊ {وَتَرٰىكُلَّاُمَّةٍجَاثِيَةً: ’’ جَاثِيَةً ‘‘ ’’جَثَايَجْثُوْجُثُوًّا‘‘} (n) or {’’جَثٰييَجْثِيْجُثِيًّا‘‘} (d) is an active participle, meaning fallen on the knees. That is, the terror and awe of the Day of Resurrection will be such that every nation, overwhelmed with intense fear, will be fallen on their knees. Whether righteous or wicked, all will be waiting in this state for the judgment, filled with fear and dread. At that time, even the greatest of the arrogant will lose all their pride and haughtiness.
➋ By { كُلُّاُمَّةٍتُدْعٰۤىاِلٰىكِتٰبِهَا: ’’كِتَابٌ‘‘} is meant the Book of Deeds, in which the entire account of their lives will be written word for word, as it is said: « وَوُضِعَالْكِتٰبُفَتَرَىالْمُجْرِمِيْنَمُشْفِقِيْنَمِمَّافِيْهِوَيَقُوْلُوْنَيٰوَيْلَتَنَامَالِهٰذَاالْكِتٰبِلَايُغَادِرُصَغِيْرَةًوَّلَاكَبِيْرَةًاِلَّاۤاَحْصٰىهَا »[ الکھف : ۴۹ ] "And the book will be placed, and you will see the criminals fearful of what is in it, and they will say, 'Woe to us! What is with this book? It leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it.'" Some have said that by this book is meant the book that was sent to every nation through their prophet, that is, every nation will be called to its book, so that it may see how much it acted upon it and be rewarded accordingly. In view of the context, the first meaning is more correct. See also Surah Bani Isra'il (13, 14).
➌ { اَلْيَوْمَتُجْزَوْنَمَاكُنْتُمْتَعْمَلُوْنَ:} Some words are omitted before this: {’’أَيْيُقَالُلَهُمْ‘‘} that is, this statement will be said to them.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
28. 1. From the apparent meaning of the verse, it is understood that every group (whether they are followers of the Prophets or their opponents) will be sitting on their knees out of fear and terror (Fath al-Qadeer) until all are called for reckoning, as is clear from the next part of the verse.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
28. And you will see every community kneeling [41]; every community will be called to its record of deeds. Today you will be recompensed for what you used to do.
[41] That is, first, separate groups will be formed for every kind of criminal. And the terror of the scenes of the Day of Judgment will be so intense that they will not be able to stand; they will be sitting on their knees, frightened, waiting to see what decision will be made regarding them. At that time, all the arrogance of the proud will vanish.