Reflections on Precision, Hell, and Redemption
If you’re in any technical field—like engineering—you know about GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances). We design everything from trains to microchips to fit within micron-level precision. The difference between 5 microns and 10 microns can determine whether a machine runs smoothly or results in catastrophic failure.
It’s fascinating that our modern feats of engineering (on the 10^-6 or 10^-9 scale) still pale compared to God’s immeasurable design of the universe, which is at least 13.3 billion light years in radius. We measure that distance as 10^9 in scale, but from the divine perspective, that’s less than a fraction of a nanometer. In other words, God sees everything with perfect precision—nothing is too large or too small to escape divine awareness.
Part I: A Universe of Improbabilities
Physicists discuss improbable phenomena like the Big Bang—with some describing the fine-tuning of the universe as a probability of 10^(10^123). That number is so massive it defies human comprehension. Coupled with Quranic mathematical phenomena—such as words occurring in multiples of 19—it points to a Creator whose plan is designed beyond any probability we can fathom.
“They see it (the Day of Judgment) as far away. We see it very close.”
(Quran 70:6–7)
Even if we think in terms of billions of years or billions of light years, God says it’s actually “very close.” In engineering terms, what we consider vast might be like a 0.00001 mm tolerance to the Almighty—infinitesimal.
Part II: How Close Are We to Hell?
A. Hell—Waiting, Ready, and Near
Despite this awe-inspiring universe, the Quran warns us that Hell is near, so near it can be compared to a critical tolerance in engineering—just microns away spiritually. Below are verses quoted in full from Rashad Khalifa’s translation that underline Hell’s proximity:
2:24
“If you cannot do this—and you can never do this—then beware of the Fire whose fuel is people and rocks; it awaits the disbelievers.”
4:145
“The hypocrites will be in the lowest pit of Hell, and you will find no helper for them.”
7:179
“We have committed to Hell multitudes of jinns and humans. They have minds with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals; no, they are far worse—they are totally unaware.”
11:119
“…Your Lord has proclaimed: ‘I will fill Hell with jinns and humans, all together.’”
19:71–72
19:71 “Every single one of you must pass by it; this is an irrevocable decision of your Lord.”
19:72 “Then we rescue the righteous, and leave the transgressors in it, humiliated.”
We see that everyone will witness Hell—like being forced to see a catastrophic failure mode. Only the righteous get pulled out.
25:11–12
25:11 “In fact, they have disbelieved in the Hour; we have prepared for those who disbelieve in the Hour a flaming Hell.”
25:12 “Once it sees them from afar, they will hear its rage and fuming.”
25:65
“They say, ‘Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous.’”
26:91
“Hell will be displayed for the strayers.”
37:63–64
37:63 “We have rendered it (the tree of bitterness) a punishment for the transgressors.”
37:64 “It is a tree that grows in the heart of Hell.”
39:71–72
39:71 “Those who disbelieved will be led to Hell in throngs. When they get there, its gates will be opened, and its guards will ask them, ‘Did you not receive messengers from among you, who recited to you the revelations of your Lord, and warned you about meeting this day of yours?’ They will answer, ‘Yes indeed.’ But the word ‘retribution’ was already stamped upon the disbelievers.”
39:72 “It will be said, ‘Enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein forever. What a miserable destiny for the arrogant.’”
50:30
“The Day we say to Hell, ‘Are you full?’ it will say, ‘Give me more.’”
92:14–16
92:14 “I warn you about a raging Fire.”
92:15 “None burns therein except the wicked.”
92:16 “They disbelieved and turned away.”
B. “Whoever Barely Misses Hell…” (3:185)
The verse that might hit hardest is:
3:185 “Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever barely misses Hell, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.”
Imagine your engineering tolerance so tight that you’re literally microns from a meltdown. 3:185 tells us missing Hell by just a fraction is still a massive victory. But it also implies that we can’t rest complacently—barely means the threshold is super thin.
Part III: Redemption & Forgiveness
Even though we are near Hell, we’re not doomed if we pursue humility, repentance, and righteousness. The Quran repeatedly highlights God’s mercy.
2:222
“They ask you about menstruation: say, ‘It is harmful; you shall avoid sexual intercourse with the women during menstruation; do not approach them until they are rid of it, then once they are rid of it you may have intercourse with them in the manner designed by God. God loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean.’”
(The key takeaway for us: “God loves the repenters.”)
39:53
“Proclaim: ‘O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of God’s mercy. For God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.’”
That concept of “exceeding the limits” parallels engineering talk—our design specs might be out of tolerance, but God always leaves an open door for those who sincerely apologize and fix their ways.
4:17
“Repentance is acceptable by God from those who fall in sin out of ignorance, then repent immediately. God redeems them. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.”
3:135
“If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins—and who forgives the sins except God—and they do not persist in sins, knowingly.”
So we can’t keep repeating the same error, thinking “it’s fine”—like an engineer who knows their design is off but does nothing about it.
14:7
“Your Lord has decreed: ‘The more you thank Me, the more I give you.’ But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.”
Gratitude is not just a nicety; it’s an actual means of strengthening your connection to God and steering away from Hell.
9:99
“Some Arabs do believe in God and the Last Day, and they consider their spending to be a means towards God, and a means of supporting the messenger. Indeed, it brings them nearer; God will admit them into His mercy. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
Even those who appear stubborn or proud—like “Arabs” here—can be saved if they truly believe and support righteous causes.
5:9
“God promises those who believe and lead a righteous life forgiveness and a great recompense.”
Part IV: The “Tolerance” Warnings: Verses Ending with 9 or 99
Interestingly, certain verses ending in “9” or “99” often deal with critical thresholds or essential warnings:
- 7:99 “Have they taken anything for granted from God’s plan? None takes anything for granted from God’s plan except the losers.” This verse calls out arrogance—assuming we’re safe from a meltdown, so to speak. That’s precisely how catastrophic failures happen in engineering.
- 9:99 (quoted above) “Some Arabs do believe in God and the Last Day…”
- 39:9 “Is it not better to be one of those who meditate during the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.”
We see that consistent theme of awareness and seeking mercy.
Part V: Linking It All—A Personal Reflection
The sermon underscores a personal epiphany: sometimes you realize you’re “really going to Hell” if you remain on a certain path—like an engineer who sees a design is grossly out of spec but keeps forging ahead. Instead, God wants to expose your flaws (arrogance, deceit, anger, ingratitude) so you can correct them.
Just as no vision can encompass God, no engineer can fully encapsulate God’s design. From black holes to quantum mechanics, we observe the edges of creation, but the entirety of the Divine remains unseen and immeasurable. Yet God’s promise is certain—Hell is often mentioned in a past tense in the Quran, indicating its reality is as good as done. But so is God’s mercy for those who repent:
3:185 “Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever barely misses Hell, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.”
Focus your energy not on illusions—money, ego, fleeting gratification—but on the “infinite game” of building your soul. Whether it’s your job, your relationships, or your personal ambitions, be constantly aware that you stand on a razor’s edge. You could be a micron away from Hell or a micron away from redemption.
Conclusion: God’s Precision—Our Second Chance
Like an engineer triple-checking a critical tolerance, we should regularly measure ourselves against God’s standards of humility, righteousness, and gratitude. Our cosmic vantage point says there might be billions of years or billions of light years out there. In God’s eyes, it could be the blink of an eye—“They see it as far away; We see it very close.” The Day of Judgment can overtake us before we realize we’re out of spec.
Nevertheless, the Quran’s final reassurance is that God’s mercy extends to the truly repentant. We can calibrate ourselves daily through prayer, remembrance, charity, and an ongoing commitment to purity of intention. No matter how huge the mistakes or how small the good deeds may appear, God calculates them all with perfect precision.
So let us reflect:
- Are we exceeding the limits in any aspect of our behavior?
- Do we keep up with repentance whenever we slip?
- Are we truly mindful that Hell is real and extremely close, yet also that God’s forgiveness is always near if we humble ourselves?
With sincerity, we pray: “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous.” (25:65) And we trust God’s promise: “Whoever barely misses Hell, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph.” (3:185)
All praise be to God, Lord of the universe.
Quran Only Studies 
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