56. Sūrat Al-Waqi'ah · The Inevitable

When the Inevitable Event takes place,

When the event befalleth -

WHEN THAT which must come to pass [at last] comes to pass,

When the Event inevitable shall come to pass.

When what is to occur (the Hour of Resurrection) will occur

then no one can deny it has come.

There is no denying that it will befall -

there will be nought that could give the lie to its having come to pass,

Then there shall be no room for any one to deny its happening.

There is no falsehood in its occurrence

It will debase ˹some˺ and elevate ˹others˺.

Abasing (some), exalting (others);

abasing [some], exalting [others]!

Bringing low to someone and exalting to some.

(That Hour) will lower (some) and raise (some others) high

When the earth will be violently shaken,

When the earth is shaken with a shock

When the earth is shaken with a shaking [severe],

When the earth shall tremble with severe shaking.

When the earth will tremor and then shake violently

and the mountains will be crushed to pieces,

And the hills are ground to powder

and the mountains are shattered into [countless] shards,

And the mountains shall be broken to pieces completely smashed.

And the mountains will be crumbled into bits

becoming scattered ˹particles of˺ dust,

So that they become a scattered dust,

so that they become as scat­tered dust –

And will become like thin particles of dust scattered in the sunshine of the ventilator.

Then will become dust particles spread in the air

you will ˹all˺ be ˹divided into˺ three groups:

And ye will be three kinds:

[on that Day,] then, shall you be [divided into] three kinds.

And you shall become three kinds.

And you will be divided into three classes

the people of the right, how ˹blessed˺ will they be;

(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?

Thus, there shall be such as will have attained to what is right: oh, how [happy] will be they who have attained to what is right!

Then those on the right side how are those on the right side?

So (first) those on the Right Hand; what a class the Right Hand will be

the people of the left, how ˹miserable˺ will they be;

And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand?

And there shall be such as will have lost them­selves in evil: oh, how [unhappy] will be they who have lost themselves in evil!

And those on the left side how are those on the left side

And (second) those on the Left Hand; (in what miserable plight will be) the Left Hand party

and the foremost ˹in faith˺ will be the foremost ˹in Paradise˺.

And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race:

But the foremost shall be [they who in life were] the foremost [in faith and good works]:

And those who took the lead they have already taken the lead.

And (third) the Excellent; (they) are the Foremost

They are the ones nearest ˹to Allah˺,

Those are they who will be brought nigh

they who were [always] drawn close unto God!

They are the favorite trusted persons.

It is they who will be the ones drawn near (to Allah)

in the Gardens of Bliss.

In gardens of delight;

In gardens of bliss [will they dwell] -

In the gardens of comfort.

(They will live) in the Gardens of Bliss

˹They will be˺ a multitude from earlier generations

A multitude of those of old

a good many of those of olden times,

A group from among the former ones.

A large group (of those drawn near) will be from the earlier people

and a few from later generations.

And a few of those of later time.

but [only] a few of later times.

And a few from among the later ones.

And a small number (amongst them) will be from the later generations

˹All will be˺ on jewelled thrones,

On lined couches,

[They will be seated] on gold-encrusted thrones of happiness,

They shall be on thrones studded with diamonds and pearls.

(Those drawn near) will be on the thrones ornamented with gold

reclining face to face.

Reclining therein face to face.

reclining upon them, facing one another [in love].

Reclining on them facing each other.

Reclining there on cushions, face to face

They will be waited on by eternal youths

There wait on them immortal youths

Immortal youths will wait upon them

Abiding youths shall go round them carrying.

The serving youths, rapt always in the same state of being, will go round them

with cups, pitchers, and a drink ˹of pure wine˺ from a flowing stream,

With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring

with goblets, and ewers, and cups filled with water from unsullied springs

Goblets and ewers and cups with flowing drink before sight.

(They will be attending) carrying bowls, ewers and cups filled with (transparent) drink of (nearness) from the free-flowing springs

that will cause them neither headache nor intoxication.

Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,

by which their minds will not be clouded and which will not make them drunk;

Where from they will have neither headache nor any unconsciousness.

By (drinking) this, they will have neither headache nor derangement of senses (and stupefaction)

˹They will also be served˺ any fruit they choose

And fruit that they prefer

and with fruit of any kind that they may choose,

And fruits that they like

And (the servants of Paradise) will be (roaming about) with fruits which (the ones drawn near) will like

and meat from any bird they desire.

And flesh of fowls that they desire.

and with the flesh of any fowl that they may desire.

And the flesh of birds as they desire.

And (there will be) bird-meat as well which they (the ones drawn near) will desire

And ˹they will have˺ maidens with gorgeous eyes,

And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,

And [with them will be their] companions pure, most beautiful of eye,

And fair maidens with wide eyes.

And also (in their companionship will be) maidens with wide lovely eyes

like pristine pearls,

Like unto hidden pearls,

like unto pearls [still] hidden in their shells.

Like preserved, hidden pearls.

Like pearls kept hidden, well-guarded

˹all˺ as a reward for what they used to do.

Reward for what they used to do.

[And this will be] a reward for what they did [in life].

The recompense for their doings.

(That) will be the reward of the (pious) works which they used to do

There they will never hear any idle or sinful talk—

There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination

No empty talk will they hear there, nor any call to sin,

They shall not hear therein any vain or any sinful talk.

There they will hear nothing absurd nor any word of sin

only good and virtuous speech.

(Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.

but only the tiding of inner soundness and peace.

Yes, this will be their saying peace, peace.

But (these people of peace will hear) only one thing (from all sides:) ‘Peace, Peace.

And the people of the right—how ˹blessed˺ will they be!

And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?

NOW AS FOR those who have attained to righteous­ness - what of those who have attained to righteous­ness?

And those on the right side, how are those on the right side?

And those of the Right Hand; what a class the Right Hand are

˹They will be˺ amid thornless lote trees,

Among thornless lote-trees

[They, too, will find themselves] amidst fruit- laden lote-trees,

In the midst of thorn-less berry trees.

Amid thornless lote-trees

clusters of bananas,

And clustered plantains,

and acacias flower-clad,

And clusters of bananas.

And layers of banana fruit

extended shade,

And spreading shade,

and shade extended,

And abiding shade

And long-stretching, (wide-spreading) shades

flowing water,

And water gushing,

and waters gushing,

And ever flowing water.

And flowing, gushing waters

abundant fruit—

And fruit in plenty

and fruit abounding,

And fruits abundants.

And (they will be rejoicing) in abundance of fruits

never out of season nor forbidden—

Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,

never-failing and never out of reach.

Neither ending, nor for bidden.

They will be neither exhausted nor restricted (to eat)

and elevated furnishings.

And raised couches;

And [with them will be their] spouses, raised high:

And raised couches.

And (they) will be (staying) on raised (splendid) floors

Indeed, We will have perfectly created their mates,

Lo! We have created them a (new) creation

for, behold, We shall have brought them into being in a life renewed,

Undoubtedly, We made those women grow with good growth.

Surely, We have created these (maidens) as a special creation (reflecting beauty and refinement)

making them virgins,

And made them virgins,

having resurrected them as virgins,

And made them virgins.

Then We have made them virgins

loving and of equal age,

Lovers, friends,

full of love, well-matched

Loving to their husbands, attracting them, of equal age.

The ardently loving (wives) of the same age

for the people of the right,

For those on the right hand;

with those who have attained to righteousness:

For those on the right side.

These (maidens and other bounties) are for those on the Right Hand

˹who will be˺ a multitude from earlier generations

A multitude of those of old

a good many of olden times,

A group from amongst the former ones.

A large group of them will be from the earlier people

and a multitude from later generations.

And a multitude of those of later time.

and a good many of later times.

And a group from amongst the later ones

And from later generations will (also) be a large group (amongst them)

And the people of the left—how ˹miserable˺ will they be!

And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand?

BUT AS FOR those who have persevered in evil - what of those who have persevered in evil?

And those on the left side,

And those of the Left Hand; what (an evil people) on the Left Hand are

˹They will be˺ in scorching heat and boiling water,

In scorching wind and scalding water

[They will find themselves] in the midst of scorching winds, and burning despair,

How are those on the left side?

They will be amid fierce, hot wind of Hell and simmering water

in the shade of black smoke,

And shadow of black smoke,

and the shadows of black smoke -

In the midst of scorching winds and boiling waters.

And under the shadow of black smoke

neither cool nor refreshing.

Neither cool nor refreshing.

[shadows] neither cooling nor soothing.

And the shadow of burning smokes.

That will neither (ever) cool nor be pleasing

Indeed, before this ˹torment˺ they were spoiled by luxury,

Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury

For, behold, in times gone by they were wont to abandon themselves wholly to the pursuit of pleasures,

Which is neither cool nor Honourable.

No doubt, these (inmates of Hell) lived luxuriously before this (in the world)

and persisted in the worst of sin.

And used to persist in the awful sin.

and would persist in heinous sinning,

Verily before this, they were at ease.

And obstinately persisted in great sin (of denying Allah and setting up partners with Him)

They used to ask ˹mockingly˺, “When we are dead and reduced to dust and bones, will we really be resurrected?

And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again,

and would say, “What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we, forsooth, be raised from the dead? -

And used to say, what! When we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we necessarily be raised up?

And they used to say: ‘When we are dead and become (a heap of) dust and (decomposed bones), shall we then be raised up (alive again)

And our forefathers as well?”

And also our forefathers?

and perhaps, too, our forebears of old?”

And what! Our former fathers too?

And shall our ancestors too (be given life)?

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Most certainly, earlier and later generations

Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time

Say: “Verily, those of olden times and those of later times

Say. 'Surely, all former ones and later ones.

Say: ‘Indeed, the earlier and the later

will surely be gathered ˹together˺ for the appointed Day.

Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.

will indeed be gathered together at an appointed time on a Day known [only to God]:

Shall necessarily be gathered to the appointed time of a known Day

(All of them) will be gathered together on a fixed Hour of an appointed Day

Then you, O misguided deniers,

Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,

and then, verily, O you who have gone astray and called the truth a lie,

Then, verily, O you the misguided ones, the beliers.

Then surely, O strayed people, deniers

will certainly eat from ˹the fruit of˺ the trees of Zaqqûm,

Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum

you will indeed have to taste of the tree of deadly fruit,

Shall surely eat of the tree of Zaqqum (Cactus).

You will certainly eat of thorny (cactus) tree

filling up ˹your˺ bellies with it.

And will fill your bellies therewith;

and will have to fill your bellies therewith,

And fill your belies there will,

And will fill your stomachs with it

Then on top of that you will drink boiling water—

And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,

and will thereupon have to drink [many a draught] of burning despair -

And again you will drink thereon of boiling water.

And (you) will drink boiling water over it

and you will drink ˹it˺ like thirsty camels do.”

Drinking even as the camel drinketh.

drink it as the most insatiably thirsty camels drink!”

Then you will drink as thirsty camel's drink.

Drinking as a thirst-stricken camel drinks.

This will be their accommodation on the Day of Judgment.

This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.

Such will be their welcome on Judgment Day!

This is their entertainment on the Day of judgement.

This will be their feast on the Day of Resurrection

It is We Who created you. Will you not then believe ˹in resurrection˺?

We created you. Will ye then admit the truth?

WE who have created you, [O men:] why, then, do you not accept the truth?

We have created you, why then, you do not accept the truth?

It is We Who created you. Then why do you not confirm (resurrection)

Have you considered what you ejaculate?

Have ye seen that which ye emit?

Have you ever considered that [seed] which you emit?

So look you, the sperm drop that you emit.

Well, give your view: the semen (sperm drop) that you ejaculate (into the womb)

Is it you who create ˹a child out of˺ it, or is it We Who do so?

Do ye create it or are We the Creator?

Is it you who create it - or are We the source of its creation?

Do you make human being of it or We are the Maker?

Is it you who create (a human being) from it, or are We the Creator

We have ordained death for ˹all of˺ you, and We cannot be prevented

We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,

We have [indeed] decreed that death shall be [ever-present] among you: but there is nothing to prevent Us

We have fixed death among you; and We are not to be outstripped by this

It is We Who have decreed death amongst you, and We are not helpless either (to bring you back to life after this)

from transforming and recreating you in forms unknown to you.

That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.

from changing the nature of your existence and bringing you into being [anew] in a manner [as yet] unknown to you.

That We may exchange the likes of you, and may fashion your faces in a manner, which you know not.

Nor are We (powerless) to change others into the like of you in your place and make you grow into a form which you do not know

You already know how you were first created. Will you not then be mindful?

And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect?

And [since] you are indeed aware of the [miracle of your] coming into being in the first instance - why, then, do you not bethink yourselves [of Us]?

Undoubtedly, you have already known the first growth, why then, do you not reflect?

And surely, you have learnt (the reality of) the first creation. Then why do you not accept advice

Have you considered what you sow?

Have ye seen that which ye cultivate?

Have you ever considered the seed which you cast upon the soil?

Tell you then, what you sow?

Well, give your view: the (seed) that you cultivate

Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so?

Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer?

Is it you who cause it to grow - or are We the cause of its growth?

Do you make crop of it or We are the Grower?

Is it you who make (the crop) grow from it, or are We its Grower

If We willed, We could simply reduce this ˹harvest˺ to chaff, leaving you to lament,

If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:

[For,] were it Our will, We could indeed turn it into chaff, and you would be left to wonder [and to lament],

If We willed, We might trample it into pieces then you would remain lamenting.

If We so intend, We would crumble it to pieces. Then you would only be struck with awe and shame

“We have truly suffered a ˹great˺ loss.

Lo! we are laden with debt!

“Verily, we are ruined!

That we are indebted,

(And you may say:) ‘We are punished with ransom

In fact, we have been deprived ˹of our livelihood˺.”

Nay, but we are deprived!

Nay, but we have been deprived [of our livelihood]!”

Rather we remained deprived altogether.

Rather we are seized by misfortune.

Have you considered the water you drink?

Have ye observed the water which ye drink?

Have you ever considered the water which you drink?

Tell you then, the water you drink.

Well, give your view: the water that you drink

Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so?

Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder?

Is it you who cause it to come down from the clouds - or are We the cause of its coming down?

Did you send it down from the clouds, or We are the Sender?

Have you sent it down from the cloud, or are We its Sender

If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks?

If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks?

[It comes down sweet - but] were it Our will, We could make it burningly salty and bitter: why, then, do you not give thanks [unto Us]?

If We willed, We might make it bitter, what! Then, are you not grateful?

If We will, We can make it bitter. Then why do you not give thanks

Have you considered the fire you kindle?

Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out;

Have you ever considered the fire which you kindle?

Tell you then, the fire you kindle.

Well, give your view: the fire that you kindle

Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?

Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower?

Is it you who have brought into being the tree that serves as its fuel - or are We the cause of its coming into being?

Did you produce the tree thereof or We are the Producer?

Have you grown its tree, or are We its Grower

We have made it ˹as˺ a reminder ˹of the Hellfire˺ and a provision for the travellers.

We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.

It is We who have made it a means to remind [you of Us], and a comfort for all who are lost and hungry in the wilderness [of their lives].

We made it a reminder of the Hell and a benefit for the wayfarers in the forest.

It is We Who have made it (the fire of tree) a reminder (of the Fire of Hell, an admonition and a warning) and a source of profit and comfort for the travellers in forests

So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.

Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy Sus­tainer’s mighty name!

Therefore O beloved! Glorify the name of your Lord the Magnificent

So always glorify the Name of your Lord, Most Magnificent

So I do swear by the positions of the stars—

Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -

NAY, I call to witness the coming-down in parts [of this Qur’an]

Then I swear by the places where the stars set.

So I swear by the places where different portions of the Qur’an descend (on the Arab Messenger).

and this, if only you knew, is indeed a great oath—

And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -

and, behold, this is indeed a most solemn affirmation, if you but knew it!

And if you know that is mighty oath.

And this is a mighty oath if you realize

that this is truly a noble Quran,

That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an

Behold, it is a truly noble discourse,

Undoubtedly, this is an Honourable Quran.

Surely, this is a Glorious Qur’an (which is being sent down on the most Glorious Messenger [blessings and peace be upon him])

in a well-preserved Record,

In a Book kept hidden

[conveyed unto man] in a well-guarded divine writ

In a well preserved Book

It has been (inscribed) in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) before this

touched by none except the purified ˹angels˺.

Which none toucheth save the purified,

which none but the pure [of heart] can touch:

Touch it not but with ablution.

No one can touch it except the purified (and cleansed) ones

˹It is˺ a revelation from the Lord of all worlds.

A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

a revelation from the Sustainer of all the worlds!

It is a sending down from the Lord of all Being.

It has been sent down by the Lord of all the worlds

How can you then take this message lightly,

Is it this Statement that ye scorn,

Would you, now, look down with disdain on a tiding like this,

Do you then, show idleness in this statement?

So is it this Revelation that you disdain

and repay ˹Allah for˺ your provisions with denial?

And make denial thereof your livelihood?

and make it your daily bread [as it were] to call the truth a lie?

And do you keep for you this share that you belie?

And you have made your means of subsistence (and fortune) to reject it

Why then ˹are you helpless˺ when the soul ˹of a dying person˺ reaches ˹their˺ throat,

Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)

Why, then, when [the last breath] comes up to the throat [of a dying man],

Why then it was not when the soul reaches to the throat.

Then why do you not (make the soul return) when it reaches the throat (to pass away)

while you are looking on?

And ye are at that moment looking

the while you are [helplessly] looking on -

And you are at that time looking on.

And at that moment, you do nothing but helplessly look on

And We are nearer to such a person than you, but you cannot see.

- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -

and while We are closer to him than you, although you see [Us] not -:

And We are near to it than you, but you have no sight.

And We are nearer to him (the dying one) than you but you do not see (Us)

Now, if you are not subject to Our Will ˹as you claim˺,

Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),

why, then, if [you think that] you are not truly dependent [on Us],

Why then it was not, if you are not to be requited,

Then if you are under no one’s command and control, why do you not (do this)

bring that soul back, if what you say is true.

Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful?

can you not cause that [ebbing life] to return - if what you claim is true?

That you may send it back if you are truthful?

That you turn that soul back if you are truthful

So, if the deceased is one of those brought near ˹to Us˺,

Thus if he is of those brought nigh,

[ALL OF YOU are destined to die.] Now if one happens to be of those who are drawn close unto God,

Then if the person dying is of the near ones,

Then if he (who died) was of those drawn near

then ˹such a person will have˺ serenity, fragrance, and a Garden of Bliss.

Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.

happiness [awaits him in the life to come], and inner fulfillment, and a garden of bliss.

For him is the comfort and flower and a garden of delight.

For him is Paradise packed with bounties, pleasure and delight and spiritual sustenance and comforts

And if the deceased is one of the people of the right,

And if he is of those on the right hand,

And if one happens to be of those who have attained to righteousness,

And if he be of those on the right side,

And if he was of those on the Right Hand

then ˹they will be told,˺ “Greetings to you from the people of the right.”

Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.

[he, too, will be wel­comed into paradise with the words,] “Peace be unto thee [that art] of those who have attained to right­eousness!”

Then O beloved, peace is upon you from those on the right side.

Then (it will be said to him:) ‘Peace for you from those on the Right Hand! (Or, O Prophet, peace on you from those on the Right Hand!)

But if such person is one of the misguided deniers,

But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,

But if one happens to be of those who are wont to call the truth a lie, and [thus] go astray,

And if he be of the beliers, the misguided,

But if he (who died) was of the strayed beliers

then their accommodation will be boiling water ˹to drink˺

Then the welcome will be boiling water

a welcome of burning despair [awaits him in the life to come,]

Then his entertainment is the boiling water.

Then he will be entertained with scalding, boiling water

and burning in Hellfire.

And roasting at hell-fire.

and the heat of a blazing fire!

And the thrusting into the blazing fire.

And his (end) is the admission to Hell

Indeed, this is the absolute truth.

Lo! this is certain truth.

Verily, this is indeed the truth of truths!

Undoubtedly, this is the truth of certainty.

Assuredly, this is the absolute truth of certitude

So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.

Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy Sus­tainer’s mighty name!

Therefore O beloved', glorify the name of your Lord the Magnificent

So always glorify the Name of your Lord, Most Magnificent