Chapter 56, 96 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. When the event befalleth -
When the Event inevitable cometh to pass,
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 -
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Abasing (some), exalting (others);
(Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;
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 shall be shaken to its depths,
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
And the hills are ground to powder
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
So that they become a scattered dust,
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And ye will be three kinds:
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand ?
Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand; - What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
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 Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
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 those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
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
These will be those Nearest to Allah:
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
In gardens of delight;
In Gardens of Bliss:
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
A multitude of those of old
A number of people from those of old,
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 from those of later times.
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
On lined couches,
(They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
(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
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring
With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear - flowing fountains:
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,
No after - ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.
And fruit that they prefer
And with fruits, any that they may select:
And with fruit that they may choose.
And flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,
And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous 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,
Like unto Pearls well - guarded.
Like unto preserved pearls.
Reward for what they used to do.
A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
A reward for what they used to do.
There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination
Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill, -
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 the 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 Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
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 without thorns,
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
And clustered plantains,
Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, -
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And spreading shade,
In shade long - extended,
And in shade long-extended,
And water gushing,
By water flowing constantly,
And by water flowing constantly,
And fruit in plenty
And fruit in abundance.
And fruit in plenty,
Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,
Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
And raised couches;
And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
Lo! We have created them a (new) creation
We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
And made them virgins,
And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
And made them virgins.
Lovers, friends,
Beloved (by nature), equal in age, -
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
For those on the right hand;
For the Companions of the Right Hand.
For those on the Right Hand.
A multitude of those of old
A (goodly) number from those of old,
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 (goodly) number from those of later times.
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 ?
The Companions of the Left Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
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 the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
And shadow of black smoke,
And in the shades of Black Smoke:
And shadow of black smoke,
Neither cool nor refreshing.
Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury
For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
And used to persist in the awful sin.
And persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
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, "What! when we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again? -
And they used to say: "When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be resurrected?
And also our forefathers ?
"(We) and our fathers of old?"
"And also our forefathers?"
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time
Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,
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.
"All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well - known.
"All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.
Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,
"Then will ye truly, - O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood! -
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum
"Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
And will fill your bellies therewith;
"Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,
"And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
Drinking even as the camel drinketh.
"Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.
Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
We created you. Will ye then admit the truth ?
It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
Have ye seen that which ye emit ?
Do ye then see? - The (human Seed) that ye throw out, -
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Do ye create it or are We the Creator ?
Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators?
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 to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated
We have decreed death to you all, and We are not outstripped,
That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.
from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.
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 ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
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 ?
See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
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 ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?
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:
Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
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), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):
(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!
"Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Have ye observed the water which ye drink ?
See ye the water which ye drink?
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder ?
Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?
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 ?
Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?
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;
See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
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 ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
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 memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
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.
Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -
Furthermore I call to witness 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 that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew, -
And verily that is indeed a great oath, if you but know.
That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an
That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
In a Book kept hidden
In Book well - guarded,
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
Which none toucheth save the purified,
Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
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,
Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
And make denial thereof your livelihood ?
And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?
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 do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) 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 ye the while (sit) looking on, -
And you at the moment are looking on,
- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -
But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not, -
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 ye not, - If you are exempt from (future) account, -
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 ?
Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Thus if he is of those brought nigh,
Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest 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.
(There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.
(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 be of the Companions of the Right Hand,
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.
(For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.
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,
And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
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
For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
And roasting at hell - fire.
And burning in Hell - Fire.
And burning in Hell-fire.
Lo! this is certain truth.
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.