Chapter 56, 96 verses
When the great event comes to pass,
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 belying its coming to pass - -
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),
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 shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
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 are broken down, crumbling
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
And become dust dispersing.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And you shall be three sorts.
And you become [of] three kinds:
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!
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 (as to) the companions of the left hand; how wretched are the companions of 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 are the foremost,
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).
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
In the gardens of bliss.
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
A numerous company from among the first,
A [large] company of the former peoples
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 the later peoples,
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
On thrones decorated,
On thrones woven [with ornament],
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
Reclining on them, facing one another.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
They shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted,
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 fruits such as they choose,
And fruit of what they select
And with fruit that they may choose.
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And pure, beautiful ones,
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),
The like of the hidden pearls:
The likenesses of pearls well - protected,
Like unto preserved pearls.
A reward for what they used to do.
As reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
They shall not hear therein vain or sinful discourse,
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).
Except the word peace, peace.
Only a saying: "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!
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?
Amid thornless lote - trees,
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And extended shade,
And shade extended
And in shade long-extended,
And water flowing constantly,
And water poured out
And by water flowing constantly,
And abundant fruit,
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
And fruit in plenty,
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
And exalted thrones.
And [upon] beds raised high.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
Then We have made them virgins,
And made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
Loving, equals in age,
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
For the companions of the right [who are]
For those on the Right Hand.
A numerous company from among the first,
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 numerous company from among the last.
And a company of the later peoples.
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 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 hot wind and boiling water,
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
And the shade of black smoke,
And a shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
Neither cool nor honorable.
Neither cool nor beneficial.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
And they persisted in the great violation.
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: 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, 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?
Or our fathers of yore?
And our forefathers [as well]?"
"And also our forefathers?"
Say: The first and the last,
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.
Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known 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 shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
And fill (your) bellies with it;
And filling with it your bellies
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
Then drink over it of boiling water;
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
Have you considered the seed?
Have you seen that which you emit?
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 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 have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,
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,
In order that We may bring in your place the likes of you and make you grow into what you 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 certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?
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 you considered what you sow?
And have you seen that [seed] which 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 who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
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:
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].
Surely we are burdened 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! we are deprived.
Rather, we have been deprived."
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Have you considered the water which you drink?
And have you seen the water that 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 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 pleased, We would have made it salty; why do you not then give 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 you considered the fire which you strike?
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
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 produced its tree, or are We the producer?
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 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).
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
And most surely it is a very great oath if you only 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.
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
In a book that is protected
In a Register well - 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.
None touch it except the purified.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
A revelation by 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).
Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
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 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 is it not then that when it (soul) comes up to the throat,
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 you at that time look on - -
And you are at that time looking on -
And you at the moment are looking on,
And We are nearer to it than you, but you do not see - -
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)
Then why is it not - - if you are not held under authority - -
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) -
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Then if he is one of those drawn nigh (to Allah),
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 happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.
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 one 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 peace to you 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.
And if he is one of the rejecters, the erring ones,
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),
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
And burning in hell.
And burning in Hellfire
And burning in Hell-fire.
Most surely this is a certain truth.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.