Chapter 56, 96 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. When the event befalleth -
When the Occurrence occurs,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. When the Event (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) befalls.
There is no denying that it will befall -
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Abasing (some), exalting (others);
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
Bringing low (some - those who will enter Hell) Exalting (others - those who will enter Paradise). [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
When the earth is shaken with a shock
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
And the hills are ground to powder
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
So that they become a scattered dust,
And become dust dispersing.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And ye will be three kinds:
And you become [of] three kinds:
And you (all) will be in three groups.
(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand ?
Then the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
So those on the Right Hand (i.e. those who will be given their Records in their right hands) - how (fortunate) will be those on the Right Hand! (As a respect for them, because they will enter Paradise).
And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand ?
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
And those on the Left Hand (i.e. those who will be given their Record in their left hands) - how (unfortunate) will be those on the Left Hand! (As a disgrace for them, because they will enter Hell).
And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race:
And the forerunners, the forerunners -
And those foremost [(in Islamic Faith of Monotheism and in performing righteous deeds) in the life of this world on the very first call for to embrace Islam] will be foremost (in Paradise).
Those are they who will be brought nigh
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
In gardens of delight;
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
A multitude of those of old
A [large] company of the former peoples
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
And a few of those of later time.
And a few of the later peoples,
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
On lined couches,
On thrones woven [with ornament],
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
Reclining therein face to face.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining thereon, face to face.
There wait on them immortal youths
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated -
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.
And fruit that they prefer
And fruit of what they select
And with fruit that they may choose.
And flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,
And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,
And (there will be) Hur (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for "Al-Muttaqun" - the pious - See V. 2:2),
Like unto hidden pearls,
The likenesses of pearls well - protected,
Like unto preserved pearls.
Reward for what they used to do.
As reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination
They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin -
No Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech (like backbiting).
(Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.
Only a saying: "Peace, peace."
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand ?
The companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
And those on the Right Hand - how (fortunate) will be those on the Right Hand?
Among thornless lote - trees
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
And clustered plantains,
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And spreading shade,
And shade extended
And in shade long-extended,
And water gushing,
And water poured out
And by water flowing constantly,
And fruit in plenty
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
And fruit in plenty,
Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
And raised couches;
And [upon] beds raised high.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
Lo! We have created them a (new) creation
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
And made them virgins,
And made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
Lovers, friends,
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
For those on the right hand;
For the companions of the right [who are]
For those on the Right Hand.
A multitude of those of old
A company of the former peoples
A multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam).
And a multitude of those of later time.
And a company of the later peoples.
And a multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the later generations.
And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand ?
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
And those on the Left Hand - how (unfortunate) will be those on the Left Hand?
In scorching wind and scalding water
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
And shadow of black smoke,
And a shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
Neither cool nor refreshing.
Neither cool nor beneficial.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
And used to persist in the awful sin.
And they used to persist in the great violation,
And were persisting in great sin (joining partners in worship along with Allah, committing murder and other crimes)
And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again,
And they used to say, "When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
And they used to say: "When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be resurrected?
And also our forefathers ?
And our forefathers [as well]?"
"And also our forefathers?"
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time
Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, the former and the later peoples
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times.
Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day."
"All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.
Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
And will fill your bellies therewith;
And filling with it your bellies
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
Drinking even as the camel drinketh.
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
We created you. Will ye then admit the truth ?
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
Have ye seen that which ye emit ?
Have you seen that which you emit?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Do ye create it or are We the Creator ?
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator?
We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
We have decreed death to you all, and We are not outstripped,
That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
To transfigure you and create you in (forms) that you know not.
And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect ?
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
And indeed, you have already known the first form of creation (i.e. the creation of Adam): why then do you not remember (or take heed)?
Have ye seen that which ye cultivate ?
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer ?
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower?
If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry pieces, and you would be regretful (or left in wonderment) [Tafsir Ibn Kathir].
Lo! we are laden with debt!
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
(Saying): "We are indeed Mughramun (i.e. ruined or have lost the money without any profit, or are punished by the loss of all that we spend for cultivation)! (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi)
Nay, but we are deprived!
Rather, we have been deprived."
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Have ye observed the water which ye drink ?
And have you seen the water that you drink?
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder ?
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
Is it you who cause it from the rain-clouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down?
If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks ?
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable): why then do you not give thanks (to Allah)?
Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out;
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower ?
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
Is it you who made the tree thereof to grow, or are We the Grower?
We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.
We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,
We have made it a Reminder (of the Hell-fire in the Hereafter), and an article of use for the travellers (and all the others, in this world).
Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -
And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
And verily that is indeed a great oath, if you but know.
That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
In a Book kept hidden
In a Register well - protected;
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
Which none toucheth save the purified,
None touch it except the purified.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
A Revelation (this Qur'an) from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
Is it this Statement that ye scorn,
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
And make denial thereof your livelihood ?
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
And instead (of thanking Allah) for the provision He gives you, you deny (Him by disbelief)!
Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat
Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of a dying person) reaches the throat?
And ye are at that moment looking
And you are at that time looking on -
And you at the moment are looking on,
- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -
But We (i.e. Our angels who take the soul) are nearer to him than you, but you see not, (Tafsir At-Tabari)
Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),
Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,
Then why do you not - if you are exempt from the reckoning and recompense (punishment) -
Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful ?
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Thus if he is of those brought nigh,
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,
Then, if he (the dying person) be of the Muqarrabun (those brought near to Allah),
Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.
Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.
(There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of Delights (Paradise).
And if he is of those on the right hand,
And if he was of the companions of the right,
And if he (the dying person) be of those on the Right Hand,
Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.
Then [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."
Then there is safety and peace (from the Punishment of Allah) for those on the right Hand.
But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
But if he (the dying person) be of the denying (of the Resurrection), the erring (away from the Right Path of Islamic Monotheism),
Then the welcome will be boiling water
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
And roasting at hell - fire.
And burning in Hellfire
And burning in Hell-fire.
Lo! this is certain truth.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.