Al-Wâqi’ah (Surah 56)
Al-Wâqi'ah (The Inevitable Event)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah is identical to the previous one in classifying people into three groups on Judgment Day and discussing how Allah’s blessings are taken for granted. These blessings should be seen as a proof of His ability to raise the dead for judgment. Moreover, references are made to the creation of the human race, the divine nature of the Quran, and the horrors of the apocalypse. Allah is glorified in the last verse of this sûrah and the first verse of the next sûrah. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
The Three Groups on Judgment Day
1. When the Inevitable Event takes place, 2. then no one can deny it has come. 3. It will debase (some) and elevate (others). 4. When the earth will be violently shaken, 5. and the mountains will be crushed to pieces, 6. becoming scattered (particles of) dust, 7. you will (all) be (divided into) three groups: 8. the people of the right, how (blessed) will they be; 9. the people of the left, how (miserable) will they be; 10. and the foremost (in faith) will be the foremost (in Paradise).
Surah 56 - Al-Wâqi'ah (The Inevitable Event) - Verses 1-10
The Foremost
11. They are the ones nearest (to Allah) 12. in the Gardens of Bliss. 13. (They will be) a multitude from earlier generations 14. and a few from later generations. 15. (All will be) on jewelled thrones, 16. reclining face to face. 17. They will be waited on by eternal youths 18. with cups, pitchers, and a drink (of pure wine) from a flowing stream, 19. that will cause them neither headache nor intoxication. 20. (They will also be served) any fruit they choose 21. and meat from any bird they desire. 22. And (they will have) maidens with gorgeous eyes, 23. like pristine pearls, 24. (all) as a reward for what they used to do. 25. There they will never hear any idle or sinful talk— 26. only good and virtuous speech.
Surah 56 - Al-Wâqi'ah (The Inevitable Event) - Verses 11-26
People of the Right
27. And the people of the right—how (blessed) will they be! 28. (They will be) amid thornless lote trees, 29. clusters of bananas, 30. extended shade, 31. flowing water, 32. abundant fruit— 33. never out of season nor forbidden— 34. and elevated furnishings. 35. Indeed, We will have perfectly created their mates, 36. making them virgins, 37. loving and of equal age, 38. for the people of the right, 39. (who will be) a multitude from earlier generations 40. and a multitude from later generations.
Surah 56 - Al-Wâqi'ah (The Inevitable Event) - Verses 27-40
People of the Left
41. And the people of the left—how (miserable) will they be! 42. (They will be) in scorching heat and boiling water, 43. in the shade of black smoke, 44. neither cool nor refreshing. 45. Indeed, before this (torment) they were spoiled by luxury, 46. and persisted in the worst of sin. 47. They used to ask (mockingly), “When we are dead and reduced to dust and bones, will we really be resurrected? 48. And our forefathers as well?” 49. Say, (O Prophet,) “Most certainly, earlier and later generations 50. will surely be gathered (together) for the appointed Day. 51. Then you, O misguided deniers, 52. will certainly eat from (the fruit of) the trees of Zaqqûm, 53. filling up (your) bellies with it. 54. Then on top of that you will drink boiling water— 55. and you will drink (it) like thirsty camels do.” 56. This will be their accommodation on the Day of Judgment.