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