Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-Ahqaf -> Evidence for Life after Death

Allah says, those who deny resurrection on Judgement Day, and doubt that the bodies will be raised on that Last Day -- Do they not see,

﴿أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِى خَلَقَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ﴾

(that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation,) meaning, the creation of the heavens and earth did not exhaust Him.' Rather, He commanded them: "Be,'' and they were, without any refusal or delay. They obeyed and responded to Him with submission and fear. Is He not then able to revive the dead This is similar to what Allah said elsewhere,

﴿لَخَلْقُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَكْـبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ النَّاسِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْـثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

(Verily, the creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of the people. But most people do not know.) (40:57) Allah responds to the above question by saying,

﴿بَلَى إِنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾

(Yes, He surely is Able to do all things.) Then Allah says, as a threat and a warning to whoever disbelieves in Him,

﴿وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ عَلَى النَّارِ أَلَيْسَ هَـذَا بِالْحَقِّ﴾

(And on the Day when those who disbelieve will be exposed to the Fire (it will be said to them): "Is this not the truth'' ) meaning, it will be said to them, "Isn't this the truth Is this magic, or do you not see''

﴿قَالُواْ بَلَى وَرَبِّنَا﴾

(They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!'') meaning, they will have no choice but to confess.

﴿قَالَ فَذُوقُواْ العَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ﴾

(He will say: "Then taste the torment, because you used to disbelieve!'')