Chapter 56, 96 verses
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,
When the Event inevitable cometh to pass,
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
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].
(Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And become dust dispersing.
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
And you (all) will be in three groups.
And you become [of] three kinds:
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
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?
Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand; - What will be the Companions of the Right 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 Companions of the Left Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
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 -
And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
These will be those Nearest to Allah:
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
In Gardens of Bliss:
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
A [large] company of the former peoples
A number of people from those of old,
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
And a few of the later peoples,
And a few from those of later times.
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
On thrones woven [with ornament],
(They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear - flowing fountains:
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated -
No after - ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
And with fruit that they may choose.
And fruit of what they select
And with fruits, any that they may select:
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
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,
And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes, -
Like unto preserved pearls.
The likenesses of pearls well - protected,
Like unto Pearls well - guarded.
A reward for what they used to do.
As reward for what they used to do.
A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
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 -
Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill, -
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
Only a saying: "Peace, peace."
Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".
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?
The Companions of the Right Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
(They will be) among Lote - trees without thorns,
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, -
And in shade long-extended,
And shade extended
In shade long - extended,
And by water flowing constantly,
And water poured out
By water flowing constantly,
And fruit in plenty,
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
And fruit in abundance.
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
And [upon] beds raised high.
And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
And made them virgins.
And made them virgins,
And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
Beloved (by nature), equal in age, -
For those on the Right Hand.
For the companions of the right [who are]
For the Companions of the Right Hand.
A multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam).
A company of the former peoples
A (goodly) number from those of old,
And a multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the later generations.
And a company of the later peoples.
And a (goodly) number from those of later times.
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?
The Companions of the Left Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
(They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
And shadow of black smoke,
And a shade of black smoke,
And in the shades of Black Smoke:
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Neither cool nor beneficial.
Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
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 persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
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?
And they used to say, "What! when we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again? -
"And also our forefathers?"
And our forefathers [as well]?"
"(We) and our fathers of old?"
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
Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,
"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."
"All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well - known.
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
"Then will ye truly, - O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood! -
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
"Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
And filling with it your bellies
"Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
"And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
"Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
We created you: then why do you believe not?
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Have you seen that which you emit?
Do ye then see? - The (human Seed) that ye throw out, -
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?
Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators?
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
We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated
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.
from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.
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?
And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower?
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?
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,
Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
(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;
(Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
Rather, we have been deprived."
"Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
And have you seen the water that you drink?
See ye the water which ye drink?
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?
Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?
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?
Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
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?
Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
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,
We have made it a memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars, -
And verily that is indeed a great oath, if you but know.
And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew, -
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
In a Register well - protected;
In Book well - guarded,
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
None touch it except the purified.
Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
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.
A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
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]?
And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?
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
Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat, -
And you at the moment are looking on,
And you are at that time looking on -
And ye the while (sit) looking on, -
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 -
But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not, -
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,
Then why do ye not, - If you are exempt from (future) account, -
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
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,
Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah,
(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.
(There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.
And if he (the dying person) be of those on the Right Hand,
And if he was of the companions of the right,
And if he be of the Companions of 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."
(For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.
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,
And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
And burning in Hell-fire.
And burning in Hellfire
And burning in Hell - Fire.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.