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 Event inevitable cometh to pass,
There is no belying its coming to pass - -
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),
Bringing low (some - those who will enter Hell) Exalting (others - those who will enter Paradise). [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
(Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;
When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
And you shall be three sorts.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
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 (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand; - What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
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 Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
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 those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
These will be those Nearest to Allah:
In the gardens of bliss.
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
In Gardens of Bliss:
A numerous company from among the first,
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
A number of people from those of old,
And a few from among the latter.
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
And a few from those of later times.
On thrones decorated,
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
(They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
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),
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear - flowing fountains:
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 after - ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
And fruits such as they choose,
And with fruit that they may choose.
And with fruits, any that they may select:
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the flesh of fowls, any that they may 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 (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes, -
The like of the hidden pearls:
Like unto preserved pearls.
Like unto Pearls well - guarded.
A reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
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).
Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill, -
Except the word peace, peace.
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
Only the 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 Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
Amid thornless lote - trees,
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
(They will be) among Lote - trees without thorns,
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, -
And extended shade,
And in shade long-extended,
In shade long - extended,
And water flowing constantly,
And by water flowing constantly,
By water flowing constantly,
And abundant fruit,
And fruit in plenty,
And fruit in abundance.
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
And exalted thrones.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
Then We have made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
Loving, equals in age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
Beloved (by nature), equal in age, -
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
For those on the Right Hand.
For the Companions of the Right Hand.
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 (goodly) number from those of old,
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 (goodly) number from those of later times.
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?
The Companions of the Left Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
In hot wind and boiling water,
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
(They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
And the shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
And in the shades of Black Smoke:
Neither cool nor honorable.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
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 persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
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, "What! when we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again? -
Or our fathers of yore?
"And also our forefathers?"
"(We) and our fathers of old?"
Say: The first and the last,
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times.
Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,
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.
"All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well - known.
Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
"Then will ye truly, - O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood! -
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
"Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
And fill (your) bellies with it;
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
"Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
Then drink over it of boiling water;
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
"And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
"Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?
Have you considered the seed?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Do ye then see? - The (human Seed) that ye throw out, -
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 ye who create it, or are We the Creators?
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 to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated
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.
from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.
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 ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
Have you considered what you sow?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
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 ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?
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].
Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
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), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):
Nay! we are deprived.
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
"Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
Have you considered the water which you drink?
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
See ye the water which ye 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?
Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?
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)?
Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?
Have you considered the fire which you strike?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
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 ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
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 memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
Furthermore I call to witness 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 that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew, -
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
In a book that is protected
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
In Book well - guarded,
None shall touch it save the purified ones.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
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).
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?
Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
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 have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?
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 do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat, -
And you at that time look on - -
And you at the moment are looking on,
And ye the while (sit) 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)
But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not, -
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 ye not, - If you are exempt from (future) account, -
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
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),
Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah,
Then happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.
(There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of Delights (Paradise).
(There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.
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 be of the Companions of the Right Hand,
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.
(For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.
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),
And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
And burning in hell.
And burning in Hell-fire.
And burning in Hell - Fire.
Most surely this is a certain truth.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.