This too is a unique des c r i p tion about the horrifying events of that Great Day. In verse 42 of Surah Qalam God says:

“The Day when the shin shall be laid bare and they (criminals) will be asked to prostrate but they shall not be able to do so.”

The des c r i p tion “The sins will be laid bare” according to many commentators describes the severity and terror and in the earlier times people used to turn up their sleeves during difficult situations and tie their garments around their waists to be able to deal better with the situation. It is but natural that the shins are laid bare in such situations.

Some commentators have written a few doubts about it.

They say that “Saaq” means reality like Saaqatus Shajr by which the term Yakshif A’n Saaq which tells us that the secrets will be revealed on that day.(1)

The command to bow down before God will be given on that fearful day; the believers will prostrate and this may be the fulfillment of their heart’s desire but those who have sinned and disbelieved will not have the power to prostrate.

Imam Ali bin Musa is quoted in a Hadith:

“ The screens will be removed on that Day and all the believers will prostrate but the back bone of the hypocrites will become dry like a single vertebra and then will not have the capacity to bow or prostrate.(2)

Some say that the term means the manifestation of God’s glory.

1. Tafsir Ruhul Ma’ani Vol. 29 page 35 and Tafsir Qartabi vol.1 page 6728

2. Tafsir Nurus Saqlain vol.5 page 395 hadith 49