Fakayfa itha tawaffat-humu almala-ikatu yadriboona wujoohahum waadbarahum (surah Muhammad: 27)

Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

(47:27) But how will they fare when angels will take their souls at death and will carry them, striking their faces and backs? *37

Fakaifa izaa tawaffat humul malaaa`ikatu yadriboona wujoohahum wa adbaa rahum

*37) That is, "In the world they adopted this attitude so that they may safeguard their interests and may protect themselves from the dangers of the conflict between Islam and infidelity, but how will they escape Allah's wrath after death? At that time no device of theirs will prove helpful for them to remain safe from the punishment by the angels. " This verse also is one of those verses that point to the torment of barzakh (i.e. torment 'of the grave). It clearly shows that the unbelievers and hypocrites start being afflicted with the torment right from the time of death, and this torment is different from the punishment which they will get on Resurrection after their cases will have been decided by Allah. (For further explanation, see An-Nisa': 97: AI-An'am: 93-94; AI-Anfal: 50: An-Nahl: 28, 32; AI-Mu'minun: 99-100; Ya Sin: 26-27 and E.N.'s 22, 23; AI-Mu'min: 4b and E. N. 63) .