English - Chapter 56 - Al-Waqiah

When the Event befalls

none shall deny its befalling

abasing, exalting

When the earth is shaken violently

and the mountains are pulverized to powder

such that they become scattered dust

and you shall be of three kinds

the companions of the right; what of the companions of the right

And the companions of the left; what of the companions of the left

And the foremost shall be the foremost

They are the ones brought nigh

in Gardens of bliss—

many from those of old

and few from those of later times—

upon embroidered couches

reclining upon them, facing one another

Immortal youths wait upon them

with goblets, ewers, and a cup from a flowing spring

wherefrom they suffer neither headache nor stupefaction

with fruits as they choose

and the meat of birds as they desire

and [there shall be] wide-eyed maidens

the likeness of concealed pearls

as a recompense for that which they used to do

They hear no idle talk therein, nor incitement to sin

save that “Peace! Peace!” is uttered

And the companions of the right; what of the companions of the right

Among thornless lote trees

clustered plantains

and extended shade

gushing water

and abundant fruit

neither out of reach, nor forbidden

and [upon] raised beds

Truly We brought them into being as a [new] creation

then made for them virgins

amorous peers

for the companions of the right—

many from those of old

And the companions of the left; what of the companions of the left

Amidst scorching wind and boiling liquid

and the shadow of black smoke

neither cool nor refreshing

Truly before that they lived in luxury

would persist in great sin

and would say, “What! When we are dead and have become dust and bones, are we to be resurrected

What! And our fathers of old?”

Say, “Truly those of old and those of later times

are gathered for the tryst of a day appointed.”

Then indeed you—O you straying deniers—

shall eat from a tree of Zaqqum

and fill your bellies therewith

Then you shall drink from boiling liquid

drinking as do parched camels

This shall be their welcome on the Day of Judgment

We created you. Would that you affirm it

Have you considered that which you emit

Is it you who created it or are We the creators

We have decreed death among you, and none outstrips Us

in replacing [you with] your likenesses and bringing you into being again in what you know not

You have indeed known the first genesis. Why, then, do you not reflect

Have you considered what you reap

Is it you who sow it or are We the sowers

Had We willed, We would have turned it to chaff, such that you would remain bitterly jesting

[saying] “Truly we have suffered loss

Nay! We are deprived.”

Have you considered the water that you drink

Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or is it We Who send down

If We had willed, We would have made it bitter; will you not, then, give thanks

Have you considered the fire that you kindle

Is it you who brought into being the tree thereof, or is it We Who bring into being

We made it a reminder and an enjoyment for the desert dwellers

So glorify the Name of thy Lord, the Magnificent

I swear by the places where the stars descend

And truly it is a magnificent oath, if you but knew

Truly it is a Noble Quran

in a Book concealed

None touch it, save those made pure

a revelation from the Lord of the worlds

Do you then scorn this discourse

and make the denial thereof your provision

Why, then, when it reaches the throat

while you are looking on

—and We are nearer to him than you, though you see not—

why, then, if you are unconstrained

do you not return it, if you are truthful

So if one be among those brought nigh

then comfort, bounty, and a Garden of bliss

And if one be among the companions of the right

then peace unto thee from the companions of the right

But if one be among the deniers who are astray

then a welcome of boiling liquid

and burning in Hellfire

Verily, this is the truth of certainty

so glorify the Name of thy Lord, the Magnificent