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