Chapter 56, 96 verses
When the great event comes to pass,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. When the Event (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) befalls.
When the Occurrence occurs,
There is no belying its coming to pass - -
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),
Bringing low (some - those who will enter Hell) Exalting (others - those who will enter Paradise). [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And become dust dispersing.
And you shall be three sorts.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
And you become [of] three kinds:
Then (as to) the companions of the right hand; how happy are 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).
Then the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
And (as to) the companions of the left hand; how wretched are 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 companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
And the foremost are the foremost,
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).
And the forerunners, the forerunners -
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
In the gardens of bliss.
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
A numerous company from among the first,
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
A [large] company of the former peoples
And a few from among the latter.
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
And a few of the later peoples,
On thrones decorated,
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
On thrones woven [with ornament],
Reclining on them, facing one another.
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
They shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted,
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated -
And fruits such as they choose,
And with fruit that they may choose.
And fruit of what they select
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
And pure, beautiful ones,
And (there will be) Hur (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for "Al-Muttaqun" - the pious - See V. 2:2),
And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,
The like of the hidden pearls:
Like unto preserved pearls.
The likenesses of pearls well - protected,
A reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
As reward for what they used to do.
They shall not hear therein vain or sinful discourse,
No Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech (like backbiting).
They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin -
Except the word peace, peace.
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
Only a saying: "Peace, peace."
And the companions of the right hand; how happy are the companions of the right hand!
And those on the Right Hand - how (fortunate) will be those on the Right Hand?
The companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
Amid thornless lote - trees,
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
And extended shade,
And in shade long-extended,
And shade extended
And water flowing constantly,
And by water flowing constantly,
And water poured out
And abundant fruit,
And fruit in plenty,
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
And exalted thrones.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
And [upon] beds raised high.
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
Then We have made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
And made them virgins,
Loving, equals in age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
For those on the Right Hand.
For the companions of the right [who are]
A numerous company from among the first,
A multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam).
A company of the former peoples
And a numerous company from among the last.
And a multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the later generations.
And a company of the later peoples.
And those of the left hand, how wretched are those of the left hand!
And those on the Left Hand - how (unfortunate) will be those on the Left Hand?
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
In hot wind and boiling water,
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
And the shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
And a shade of black smoke,
Neither cool nor honorable.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Neither cool nor beneficial.
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
And they persisted 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 persist in the great violation,
And they used to say: What! when we die and have become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised?
And they used to say: "When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be resurrected?
And they used to say, "When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
Or our fathers of yore?
"And also our forefathers?"
And our forefathers [as well]?"
Say: The first and the last,
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times.
Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, the former and the later peoples
Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day.
"All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day."
Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
And fill (your) bellies with it;
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
And filling with it your bellies
Then drink over it of boiling water;
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
Have you considered the seed?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Have you seen that which you emit?
Is it you that 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?
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,
We have decreed death to you all, and We are not outstripped,
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
In order that We may bring in your place the likes of you and make you grow into what you know not.
To transfigure you and create you in (forms) that you know not.
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?
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)?
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
Have you considered what you sow?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the causers of growth?
Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower?
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
If We pleased, We should have certainly made it broken down into pieces, then would you begin to lament:
Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry pieces, and you would be regretful (or left in wonderment) [Tafsir Ibn Kathir].
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
Surely we are burdened with 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)
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
Nay! we are deprived.
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Rather, we have been deprived."
Have you considered the water which you drink?
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
And have you seen the water that you drink?
Is it you that send it down from the clouds, or are We the senders?
Is it you who cause it from the rain-clouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down?
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
If We pleased, We would have made it salty; why do you not then give thanks?
If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable): why then do you not give thanks (to Allah)?
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
Have you considered the fire which you strike?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
Is it you that produce the trees for it, or are We the producers?
Is it you who made the tree thereof to grow, or are We the Grower?
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
We have made it a reminder and an advantage for the wayfarers of the desert.
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).
We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
And most surely it is a very great oath if you only knew;
And verily that is indeed a great oath, if you but know.
And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
In a book that is protected
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
In a Register well - protected;
None shall touch it save the purified ones.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
None touch it except the purified.
A revelation by the Lord of the worlds.
A Revelation (this Qur'an) from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
And to give (it) the lie you make your means of subsistence.
And instead (of thanking Allah) for the provision He gives you, you deny (Him by disbelief)!
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
Why is it not then that when it (soul) comes up to the throat,
Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of a dying person) reaches the throat?
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat
And you at that time look on - -
And you at the moment are looking on,
And you are at that time looking on -
And We are nearer to it 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)
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -
Then why is it not - - if you are not held under authority - -
Then why do you not - if you are exempt from the reckoning and recompense (punishment) -
Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
Then if he is one of those drawn nigh (to Allah),
Then, if he (the dying person) be of the Muqarrabun (those brought near to Allah),
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,
Then happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.
(There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of Delights (Paradise).
Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.
And if he is one of those on the right hand,
And if he (the dying person) be of those on the Right Hand,
And if he was of the companions of the right,
Then peace to you from those on the right hand.
Then there is safety and peace (from the Punishment of Allah) for those on the right Hand.
Then [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."
And if he is one of the rejecters, the erring ones,
But if he (the dying person) be of the denying (of the Resurrection), the erring (away from the Right Path of Islamic Monotheism),
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
And burning in hell.
And burning in Hell-fire.
And burning in Hellfire
Most surely this is a certain truth.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.