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.
There is no belying its coming to pass - -
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),
Bringing low (some - those who will enter Hell) Exalting (others - those who will enter Paradise). [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And you shall be three sorts.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
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).
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 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).
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
In the gardens of bliss.
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
A numerous company from among the first,
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
And a few from among the latter.
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
On thrones decorated,
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
Reclining on them, facing one another.
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
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.
And fruits such as they choose,
And with fruit that they may choose.
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that 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),
The like of the hidden pearls:
Like unto preserved pearls.
A reward for what they used to do.
A 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).
Except the word peace, peace.
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with 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?
Amid thornless lote - trees,
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And extended shade,
And in shade long-extended,
And water flowing constantly,
And by water flowing constantly,
And abundant fruit,
And fruit in plenty,
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
And exalted thrones.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
Then We have made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
Loving, equals in age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
For those on 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).
And a numerous company from among the last.
And a multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the later generations.
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?
In hot wind and boiling water,
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
And the shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
Neither cool nor honorable.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
Verily, before that, they indulged in 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 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?
Or our fathers of yore?
"And also our forefathers?"
Say: The first and the last,
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(Yes) verily, 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.
Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
And fill (your) bellies with it;
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
Then drink over it of boiling water;
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
Have you considered the seed?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that 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?
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,
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.
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)?
Have you considered what you sow?
Then tell Me about the seed that you 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?
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].
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)
Nay! we are deprived.
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Have you considered the water which you drink?
Then tell Me about 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?
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)?
Have you considered the fire which you strike?
Then tell Me about the fire which you 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?
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).
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Then glorify with praises 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.
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.
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the 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 ).
None shall touch it save the purified ones.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
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).
Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
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)!
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?
And you at that time look on - -
And you at the moment are 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)
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) -
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are 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),
Then happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.
(There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of Delights (Paradise).
And if he is one of those on the right hand,
And if he (the dying person) be of those on 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.
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),
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
And burning in hell.
And burning in Hell-fire.
Most surely this is a certain truth.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.