English - Chapter 56 - Al-Waqiah

When the Event to happen happens

There is no denying its happening –

Abasing some and exalting others

When the earth is shaken with a violent shock

And the mountains are shattered and crumble

So they become dust scattered

You (all conscious, responsible beings) will be sorted out into three groups

Thus: the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity, who receive their Records in their right hands): how happy and prosperous are the people of the Right

And the people of the Left (the people of wretchedness, who will receive their Records in their left hands): how wretched are the people of the Left

And the foremost (in faith and good deeds, and serving God’s cause) will be the foremost (in receiving and enjoying God’s mercy)

Those are the ones near-stationed to God

In Gardens abounding in bounty and blessings

A good many of them are from among the first (to have embraced God’s Religion)

And a few from the later (generations)

(They will be seated) on lined thrones (encrusted with gold and precious stones)

Reclining upon them, facing one another

There will go round them immortal youths

With goblets, and ewers, and a cup from a clear-flowing spring

From which no aching of the head ensues, nor intoxication of the mind

And with fruits such as they choose

And with the flesh of fowls such as they desire

And (there will be) pure maidens, most beautiful of eye

Like pearls kept hidden (in their shells)

A reward for all (the good) that they used to do

They will hear there neither vain talk nor accusing speech

(They will hear) only speech (wishing) peace and security after peace and security

And the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity who will receive their Records in their right hands): how happy and prosperous are the people of the Right

Amidst cherry trees laden with fruit

And banana trees with fruit piled high

And shade long-extended

And water gushing (and flowing constantly)

And fruits (of every other kind) abounding

Never cut off, nor forbidden

And (with them will be their) spouses ennobled with beauty and spiritual perfection

We have brought them into being in a new creation

And We have made them virgins

Full of love for their husbands, and equal in age

For the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity)

A good many of them are from among the first (to have embraced God’s Religion)

And a good many are from the later (generations)

And the people of the Left (who will be given their Records in their left hands): how wretched are the people of the Left

In the midst of scorching wind and hot, boiling water

And the shadow of black smoke

(A shadow) neither cooling nor refreshing

Indeed, before that, they were lost in excess of pleasures (without moral scruples)

And would persist in committing the greatest sin (of unbelief or associating partners with God and denying the afterlife)

And would say: "What? After we have died and become dust and bones, will we indeed be raised from the dead

And also our forefathers of old

Say: "Those of old and those of later times

Will all be brought together at an appointed time on a Day well-known

Then: O you who have strayed (from the Straight Path), who deny (the afterlife)

You will surely eat of the tree of Zaqqum

And you fill up your bellies with it

Thereafter you will drink of hot, boiling water

You will drink as the camel raging with thirst drinks

This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment

It is We Who have created you. So will you not confirm as truth (what We convey to you as truth)

Have you considered the semen that you emit

Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator

It is also We Who decree death among you – and We cannot be overcome

So that We may replace you (with new generations like you), and bring you about in a new mode and form of existence you do not know

For certain you know the first creation (how you are brought into the world), then should you not reflect on (and anticipate the second creation)

Have you ever considered the seed you sow (in the ground)

Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who make it grow

We are indeed in a great loss (with our money, time, and efforts gone to waste)

Rather, we are left utterly deprived (of our livelihood)

Have you ever considered the water that you drink

Is it you who send it down from the cloud or is it We Who send it down

If We so willed, We would make it bitter and salty. Then, should you not give thanks

Have you ever considered the fire that you kindle

Is it you who bring into being the tree for it, or is it We bring it into being

We have made it something for reflection (on Our handiwork and Our grace in making the creation useful and beautiful), and a comfort (especially) for the dwellers (and wayfarers) in the desert

Therefore, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Supreme (declaring His being absolutely above having any defects and partners)

I swear by the locations of the stars (and their falling)

– It is indeed a very great oath, if you but knew. –

Most certainly it is a Qur’an (recited) most honorable

In a Book well-guarded

None except the purified ones can reach it (to obtain the knowledge it contains. And none except those cleansed of material and spiritual impurities should touch it)

It is a Book being sent down in parts from the Lord of the worlds

Is it this Discourse that you hold in low esteem

And do you make your share of it denying it

Then, how is it you do not – when the soul comes up to the throat (of a dying human)

While you are looking on –

And while We are nearer to him (the dying human) than you are, but you do not see (that) –

Then, how is it you do not – if you are not bound to Us in dependence (subject to Our will) –

(How is it that) you do not restore the soul (of that dying human), if you are truthful (in your claim)

Now, if he (that dying human) is of those near-stationed to God

Then (there is for him) comfort in eternal relief (from all kinds of hardships and pains), and abundance, and a Garden of bounty and blessing

If he is of the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity who will receive their Records in their right hands)

Then "Peace be upon you" (will be what you will always hear) from the people of the Right

But if he is one of those who denied (Our Message and Our Messengers), who strayed (from the Straight Path)

Then his entertainment is boiling water

And roasting in a Blazing Flame

Surely this (Qur’an) is certain truth

So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Supreme (affirming that He is exalted above any falsehood)