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 Event inevitable cometh to pass,
When the great event comes to pass,
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
There is no belying its coming to pass - -
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;
Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,
So that they will become floating dust particles.
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
And you shall be three sorts.
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?
Then (as to) the companions of the right hand; how happy are 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 Hand, - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
And (as to) the companions of the left hand; how wretched are 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 those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
And the foremost are the foremost,
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
These will be those Nearest to Allah:
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
In Gardens of Bliss:
In the gardens of bliss.
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
A number of people from those of old,
A numerous company from among the first,
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
And a few from those of later times.
And a few from among the latter.
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
(They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
On thrones decorated,
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining on them, facing one another.
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear - flowing fountains:
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
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:
They shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted,
And with fruit that they may choose.
And with fruits, any that they may select:
And fruits such as they choose,
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
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, -
And pure, beautiful ones,
Like unto preserved pearls.
Like unto Pearls well - guarded.
The like of the hidden pearls:
A reward for what they used to do.
A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
A reward for what they used to do.
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, -
They shall not hear therein vain or sinful discourse,
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".
Except the word peace, peace.
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?
And the companions of the right hand; how happy are the companions of the right hand!
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
(They will be) among Lote - trees without thorns,
Amid thornless lote - trees,
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, -
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And in shade long-extended,
In shade long - extended,
And extended shade,
And by water flowing constantly,
By water flowing constantly,
And water flowing constantly,
And fruit in plenty,
And fruit in abundance.
And abundant fruit,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
And exalted thrones.
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
And made them virgins.
And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
Then We have made them virgins,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
Beloved (by nature), equal in age, -
Loving, equals in age,
For those on the Right Hand.
For the Companions of the Right Hand.
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
A multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam).
A (goodly) number from those of old,
A numerous company from among the first,
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 a numerous company from among the last.
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?
And those of the left hand, how wretched are those of the left hand!
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
(They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
In hot wind and boiling water,
And shadow of black smoke,
And in the shades of Black Smoke:
And the shade of black smoke,
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
Neither cool nor honorable.
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
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 persisted in the great violation.
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? -
And they used to say: What! when we die and have become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised?
"And also our forefathers?"
"(We) and our fathers of old?"
Or our fathers of yore?
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,
Say: The first and the last,
"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.
Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day.
"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! -
Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
"Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
"Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
And fill (your) bellies with it;
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
"And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
Then drink over it of boiling water;
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
"Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
We created you: then why do you believe not?
It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Do ye then see? - The (human Seed) that ye throw out, -
Have you considered the seed?
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?
Is it you that create it or are We the creators?
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
We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,
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.
In order that We may bring in your place the likes of you and make you grow into what you 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 ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
Have you considered what you sow?
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?
Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the causers of growth?
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,
If We pleased, We should have certainly made it broken down into pieces, then would you begin to lament:
(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):
Surely we are burdened with debt:
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
"Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
Nay! we are deprived.
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
See ye the water which ye drink?
Have you considered the water which you drink?
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?
Is it you that send it down from the clouds, or are We the senders?
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?
If We pleased, We would have made it salty; why do you not then give thanks?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
Have you considered the fire which you strike?
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?
Is it you that produce the trees for it, or are We the producers?
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.
We have made it a reminder and an advantage for the wayfarers of the desert.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars, -
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;
And verily that is indeed a great oath, if you but know.
And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew, -
And most surely it is a very great oath if you only knew;
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
In Book well - guarded,
In a book that is protected
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
None shall touch it save the purified ones.
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.
A revelation by the Lord of the worlds.
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?
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?
And to give (it) the lie you make your means of subsistence.
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, -
Why is it not then that when it (soul) comes up to the throat,
And you at the moment are looking on,
And ye the while (sit) looking on, -
And you at that time look on - -
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, -
And We are nearer to it than you, but you do not see - -
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, -
Then why is it not - - if you are not held under authority - -
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
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 if he is one of those drawn nigh (to Allah),
(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.
Then happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.
And if he (the dying person) be of those on the Right Hand,
And if he be of the Companions of the Right Hand,
And if he is one of 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.
Then peace to you from those on 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),
And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
And if he is one of the rejecters, the erring ones,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
And burning in Hell-fire.
And burning in Hell - Fire.
And burning in hell.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
Most surely this is a certain truth.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.