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 Occurrence occurs,
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
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;
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
So that they will become floating dust particles.
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
And become dust dispersing.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
And you become [of] three kinds:
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 the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
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 companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
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 forerunners, the forerunners -
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
These will be those Nearest to Allah:
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
In Gardens of Bliss:
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
A number of people from those of old,
A [large] company of the former peoples
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
And a few from those of later times.
And a few of the later peoples,
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
(They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
On thrones woven [with ornament],
Reclining thereon, face to face.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear - flowing fountains:
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
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:
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated -
And with fruit that they may choose.
And with fruits, any that they may select:
And fruit of what they select
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever 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 [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,
Like unto preserved pearls.
Like unto Pearls well - guarded.
The likenesses of pearls well - protected,
A reward for what they used to do.
A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
As 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 will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin -
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".
Only a saying: "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?
The companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
(They will be) among Lote - trees without thorns,
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
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 layered [with fruit]
And in shade long-extended,
In shade long - extended,
And shade extended
And by water flowing constantly,
By water flowing constantly,
And water poured out
And fruit in plenty,
And fruit in abundance.
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
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 limited [to season] nor forbidden,
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
And [upon] beds raised high.
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
And made them virgins.
And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
And made them virgins,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
Beloved (by nature), equal in age, -
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
For those on the Right Hand.
For the Companions of the Right Hand.
For the companions of the right [who are]
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 company of the former peoples
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 company of the later peoples.
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 the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
(They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
And shadow of black smoke,
And in the shades of Black Smoke:
And a shade of black smoke,
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
Neither cool nor beneficial.
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
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 persist 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, "When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
"And also our forefathers?"
"(We) and our fathers of old?"
And our forefathers [as well]?"
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, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, the former and the later peoples
"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.
Are to be gathered together for the appointment 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 indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
"Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
"Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
And filling with it your bellies
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
"And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
"Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
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, so why do you not believe?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Do ye then see? - The (human Seed) that ye throw out, -
Have you seen that which you emit?
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 who creates it, or are We the Creator?
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 decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
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 that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
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 you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
And have you seen that [seed] which 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 who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
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 willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
(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):
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
"Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
Rather, we have been deprived."
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
See ye the water which ye drink?
And have you seen the water that 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 who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
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 willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
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 who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
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 provision for the travelers,
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars, -
Then I swear by the setting of the 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 indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
In Book well - guarded,
In a Register well - 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 touch it except the purified.
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.
[It is] a revelation from 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?
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
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 make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
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, -
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat
And you at the moment are looking on,
And ye the while (sit) looking on, -
And you are at that time 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)
But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not, -
And Our angels are nearer to him 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 do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
Bring it back, if you should be 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,
And if the deceased was of those brought near 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 [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.
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 was of the companions of the right,
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 [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."
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,
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
And burning in Hell-fire.
And burning in Hell - Fire.
And burning in Hellfire
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.