فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِ رُسُلَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انْتِقَامٍ ﴿۴۷﴾ يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ الْأَرْضُ غَيْرَ الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ وَبَرَزُوا لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ ﴿۴۸﴾ وَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ ﴿۴۹﴾ سَرَابِيلُهُمْ مِنْ قَطِرَانٍ وَتَغْشَى وُجُوهَهُمُ النَّارُ ﴿۵۰﴾

﴾47﴿ Falaa tahsabannal laaha mukhlifa wa'dihee Rusulah; innal laaha 'azeezun zuntiqaam
﴾48﴿ Yawma tubaddalul ardu ghairal ardi wassamaawaatu wa barazoo lillaahil Waahidil Qahhaar
﴾49﴿ Wa taral mujrimeena Yawma 'izim muqarraneena filasfaad
﴾50﴿ Saraabeeluhum min qatiraaninw wa taghshaa wujoohahumun Naar

﴾47﴿ So do not think that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His messengers. Indeed, Allah is Almighty, Possessor of Retribution
﴾48﴿ The Day when the earth will be replaced by another earth, and so will the heavens, and they will all be presented before Allah, the One, the Supreme
﴾49﴿ And you will see the criminals on that Day bound together in chains
﴾50﴿ Their garments will be of molten pitch, and the fire will cover their faces

[47] In this verse, there is consolation for the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a different manner.
The “promise” (الوعد) refers to the promise of divine help and victory, both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Since in the previous verses, the punishment of past denying nations was mentioned, this verse follows with the *particle fa’ (فَ) to indicate a continuation and additional comfort for the Prophet.
This construction strengthens the emotional impact, assuring him that just as those who rejected earlier messengers were destroyed, he too will be granted victory—and this is part of Allah’s unchanging system.
[48] This verse is a warning about the Hereafter, mentioning the Day on which Allah’s promise will be fulfilled completely.
The phrase about the transformation (tabdīl) of the heavens and the earth has been interpreted in two ways:
1. Literal/Essential (ذاتی) Transformation: This view holds that the heavens and the earth will be annihilated, and entirely new ones will be created. Since both the essence (dhāt) and the attributes (ṣifah) will change, the Qur’ān mentions both tabdīl (change) and ghayr (other than the current ones). According to a ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked: “Where will the people be on that Day when the earth is changed?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “On the Bridge (Jisr)”—referring to the bridge over Hellfire. So when this world and sky cease to exist, others will replace them.
2. Descriptive/Qualitative (وصفی) Transformation: According to this view, the essence of the heavens and the earth remains, but their form, state, and characteristics are radically altered. An analogy is given in the Qur’an for the skins of Hell’s inhabitants, which are replaced after burning, even though they are still the same individuals. Hence, the transformation is in quality, not in substance.
Both interpretations carry weight among the scholars, and both point to the awe-inspiring and total transformation of the created world on that Day.
[49] In the word (مُقَرَّنِينَ), there is an indication that a group of criminals will be bound together.
This can mean one of two things: 1. That several criminals are chained together in groups. 2. That each individual's hands and feet are tied together, restricting their movement.
Both interpretations emphasize the humiliation and severity of their punishment.
[50] In this verse, there is an indication that the punishment of Hell will surround the disbelievers from every side, just as a shirt (قميص) completely envelops the body.
However, the intended meaning of "سَرابِيل" here is its literal meaning—garments.
"قَطِرَان" refers to a type of oily substance, traditionally used to treat camels with skin disease (mange). Its mention here suggests that the inhabitants of Hell will also suffer from itching and irritation, adding another layer of torture. This substance is also highly flammable, meaning it intensifies the burning. Moreover, it is foul-smelling, contributing to the overall horror and humiliation of the punishment.
Thus, the verse paints a vivid picture of a punishment that is all-encompassing, painful, and utterly degrading.