Chapter 56, 96 verses
When the Occurrence occurs,
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, at its occurrence, no denial.
There is no belying its coming to pass - -
And there can be no denial of its befalling.
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
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 is shaken with convulsion
When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,
When the earth will be shaken with a terrible shake.
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,
And the mountains will be powdered to dust,
And become dust dispersing.
So that they shall be as scattered dust.
So that they will become floating dust particles.
And you become [of] three kinds:
And you shall be three sorts.
And you (all) will be in three groups.
Then the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
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 the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
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 forerunners, the forerunners -
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).
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),
These will be the nearest (to Allah).
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
In the gardens of bliss.
In the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).
A [large] company of the former peoples
A numerous company from among the first,
A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who embraced Islam).
And a few of the later peoples,
And a few from among the latter.
And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.
On thrones woven [with ornament],
On thrones decorated,
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones.
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Reclining on them, facing one another.
Reclining thereon, face to face.
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,
Immortal boys will go around them (serving),
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -
With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;
With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine,
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated -
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 fruit of what they select
And fruits such as they choose,
And with fruit that they may choose.
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.
And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.
And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,
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 likenesses of pearls well - protected,
The like of the hidden pearls:
Like unto preserved pearls.
As reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
A reward for what they used to do.
They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin -
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).
Only a saying: "Peace, peace."
Except the word peace, peace.
But only the saying of: Salam! Salam! (greetings with peace)!
The companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
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?
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
Amid thornless lote - trees,
(They will be) among thornless lote-trees,
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
And banana - trees (with fruits), one above another.
And among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another,
And shade extended
And extended shade,
And in shade long-extended,
And water poured out
And water flowing constantly,
And by water flowing constantly,
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
And abundant fruit,
And fruit in plenty,
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
Neither intercepted nor forbidden,
Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach,
And [upon] beds raised high.
And exalted thrones.
And on couches or thrones, raised high.
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
And made them virgins,
Then We have made them virgins,
And made them virgins.
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
Loving, equals in age,
Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.
For the companions of the right [who are]
For the sake of the companions of the right hand.
For those on the Right Hand.
A company of the former peoples
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 company of the later peoples.
And a numerous company from among the last.
And a multitude of those (on the Right Hand) will be from the later generations.
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
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?
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
In hot wind and boiling water,
In fierce hot wind and boiling water,
And a shade of black smoke,
And the shade of black smoke,
And shadow of black smoke,
Neither cool nor beneficial.
Neither cool nor honorable.
(That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) pleasant,
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.
Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,
And they used to persist in the great violation,
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, "When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
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?
And our forefathers [as well]?"
Or our fathers of yore?
"And also our forefathers?"
Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, the former and the later peoples
Say: The first and the last,
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times.
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day."
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 indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!
"Then moreover, verily you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)!
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,
"You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum.
And filling with it your bellies
And fill (your) bellies with it;
"Then you will fill your bellies therewith,
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
Then drink over it of boiling water;
"And drink boiling water on top of it.
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
"And you will drink (that) like thirsty camels!"
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
This is their entertainment on the day of requital.
That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
We have created you, why do you not then assent?
We created you: then why do you believe not?
Have you seen that which you emit?
Have you considered the seed?
Then tell Me (about) the (human) semen that you emit.
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
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 decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
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 that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
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 you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
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)?
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
Have you considered what you sow?
Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
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 willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
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].
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
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)
Rather, we have been deprived."
Nay! we are deprived.
"Nay, but we are deprived!"
And have you seen the water that you drink?
Have you considered the water which you drink?
Then tell Me about the water that you drink.
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
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 willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
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)?
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
Have you considered the fire which you strike?
Then tell Me about the fire which you kindle.
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
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 provision for the travelers,
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).
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;
So I swear by the setting of the stars.
And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
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.
Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an
Most surely it is an honored Quran,
That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur'an).
In a Register well - protected;
In a book that is protected
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz ).
None touch it except the purified.
None shall touch it save the purified ones.
Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels).
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
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).
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?
Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
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)!
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat
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 are at that time looking on -
And you at that time look on - -
And you at the moment are looking on,
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -
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 do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,
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) -
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
That you send it (not) back - - if you are truthful?
Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful?
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,
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 [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.
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 was of the companions of the right,
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 [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."
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.
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
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),
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,
Then for him is an entertainment with boiling water.
And burning in Hellfire
And burning in hell.
And burning in Hell-fire.
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
Most surely this is a certain truth.
Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty.
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.