Al-Waqi'ah

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (When the event befalleth): '(When the event befalleth) He says: when the Day of Judgement comes.

(There is no denying that it will befall) its coming cannot be repulsed, delayed or contain any ambiguity.

(Abasing (some)) due to their own works and, thus, sends them to the Fire, (exalting (others)) due to their own works and, thus, sends to the Garden. It is also said it is called the Event because of its sound which will be heard by the near and the far;

(When the earth is shaken with a shock) when the earth is shaken with such an earthquake that every mountain and building in it will be obliterated and turn into rubble.

(And the hills are ground to powder) and it is also said: and the hills are made to move like the passing of the clouds; and it is also said that this means: when the hills are uprooted from their spots.

(So that they become a scattered dust) like the dust which sticks to the hooves of beasts or the atoms of dust which can be seen when the rays of the sun emerge from a hole in a house or a crack in a door,

(And ye will be) on the Day of Judgement (three kinds:

(First) those on the right hand) these are the inhabitants of the Garden who will be given their scrolls in their right hands; they are the ones about whom Allah said: " These are destined for Paradise, and I care not " ; (what of those on the right hand) arousing by this expression the wonder of His Prophet: and what do you know, O Muhammad, about the bliss, happiness and honour of the people of the Garden?

(And (then) those on the left hand) these are the dwellers of the Fire who will be given their scrolls in their left hands; they are the ones about whom Allah said: �These are destined for hell, and I care not�; (what of those on the left hand) again arousing the wonder of His Prophet: and what do you know, O Muhammad, about the humiliation, punishment and chastisement suffered by the dwellers of hell?

(And the foremost in the race) and the forerunners in the life of the world towards faith, migration, jihad, the utterance of the first �Allahu akbar� [Allah is the greatest] as well as towards all good things, these are (the foremost in the race) the forerunners in the Hereafter towards the Garden:

(Those are they who will be brought nigh) to Allah

(In Gardens of Delight) whose delight is eternal;

(A multitude of those of old) a group of people from the earlier nations before the community of Muhammad (pbuh)

(And a few of those of later time) and a group from the later nations, which is the community of Muhammad (pbuh). It is also said that both groups are from the community of Muhammad (pbuh). When Allah's saying (A multitude of those of old), the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions were aggrieved because of it, until Allah revealed (And a few of those of later time).

(On lined couches) sitting on couches linked to each other by branches of gold and silver, weaved with pearls and sapphires,

(Reclining) in comfort (therein) on couches (face to face) upon visitation.

(There wait on them) for service (immortal youths) servants; it is also said that these are the children of the disbelievers who are made servants for the people of Paradise. Another way of reading this verse is (There wait on them youths, and they are immortal): i.e. they will never die nor leave the Garden.

The youth will go round (With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring) of pure running wine

(Wherefrom they get no aching of the head) from drinking (nor any madness) nor get intoxicated; it is also said that this means, according to another reading: their drinking is continuous,

(And fruit) different kinds of fruit (that they prefer) that they desire.

(And flesh of fowls that they desire) and different types of birds' meat that they desire.

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

Like unto hidden pearls) hidden from heat and cold,

(Reward) this is a reward for the inhabitants of the Garden (for what they used do) and say of good things in the life of the world.

(There) in the Garden (hear they no vain speaking) no falsehood or lying oaths (nor recrimination) nor abuse; it is also said: there is no sin on them for it.

((Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace) they greet each other with the greeting peace and the angels also greet them with salutations and greeting of peace from their Lord.

(And those on the right hand) the inhabitants of Paradise; (what of those on the right hand) and what do you know, O Muhammad, about the bliss and happiness of the people of Paradise?

(Among thornless lote tree) under the shade of thornless lote trees.

(And clustered plantains) and clustered banana trees; and it is also said that this means: continuous and uninterrupted,

(And spreading shade) continuously over them, such that there is no sun,

(And water gushing) from the leg of the Throne,

(And fruit in plenary) plenty of different kinds of fruit.

(Neither out of reach) such that they are available sometimes and unavailable at other times (nor yet forbidden) from when they look at it,

(And raised couches) in the air, for its folks,

(Lo! We have created them a (new) creation) We created the females of the life of the world; We created them again after they went through impotence, lack of vision, sickness and death.

(And made them virgins

Lovers) to their husbands and flirtatious with them, (friends) all with the same age, i.e. 33 years of age,

(For those on the right hand) for the inhabitants of Paradise and all of them are the inhabitants of Paradise;

(A multitude of those of old) a group of people from among the nations which came before Muhammad (pbuh)

(And a multitude of those of later time) a group of people from the later nations, which is the community of Muhammad (pbuh); and it is also said that both groups of people belong to the community of Muhammad (pbuh).

(And those on the left hand) the inhabitants of the Fire: (What of those on the left hand) what do you know, O Muhammad, about the degradation and punishment of the people of the Fire?

(In scorching wind) in the flames of the Fire; it is also said: in the scorching wind of the Fire; and it is also said that this means: in the ice-biting wind of the Fire (and scalding water) and boiling water.

(And shadow of black smoke) over them in Gehenna,

(Neither cool) to reinvigorate them (nor refreshing) nor any good for them; it is also said that this means: their drink is not refreshing nor is their punishment good.

(Lo! Heretofore) in the life of the world (they were effete with luxury) they were prodigal; it is also said that this means: they were immersed in comfort; and it is also said that this means: they were bewildered.

(And used to persist) in the life of the world (in the awful sin) i.e. associating partners with Allah; and it is also said that this refers to the lying oath.

(And they used to say) in the life of the world: (When we are dead and have come) scattered (dust and) rotten (bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again) shall we then be given life again,

When the prophets answered in the affirmative, they asked the prophets: (And also our forefathers) who died before us?

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Lo! those of old and those of later time

Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day) a well-known day, which is the Day of Judgement, whereby the people of old and the people of later times will be brought all together.

(Then lo! ye, the erring) from faith and guidance, (the deniers) of Allah, His Messenger and Scripture. This refers to Abu Jahl and his host,

(Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum

And will fill your bellies therewith) from the trees of Zaqqum which grow inside the Fire;

(And thereon) and upon eating from the Zaqqum (ye will drink of boiling water,

Drinking even as the camel drinketh) drinking even as a thirsty and sick camel do: it hardly gets filled; it is also said that this means: even as a thirsty camel drinks upon eating sour food.

(This will be their welcome) this will be their food and drink (on the Day of Judgement) on the Day of Reckoning.

(We created you) O people of Mecca. (Will ye then admit the Truth) will you then believe in the Messenger?

(Have ye seen that which ye emit) in the wombs of women?

(Do ye) O people of Mecca (create it) as a human life, male or female, felicitous or damned (or are We the Creator)? No indeed, you are not the Creator, We are.

(We mete out death among you) We made you equal as far as death is concerned, such that all of you will die; it is also said that this means: We apportioned between you your lifespan until you die. Some of you will live to 100 years, others to 80, some to 50, some to more and others to less, (and We are not to be outrun) and We are capable of doing so,

(That We may transfigure you) that We may destroy you and bring instead other people who are better and more obedient than you (and make you) and create you on the Day of Judgement in (what ye know not) in a form that you know not: with dark faces and bluish eyes; it is also said that this means: in the form of apes and swine; and it is also said that this means: We shall place your spirits in the Fire which you do not believe in.

(And verily ye know) O people of Mecca (the first creation) in the wombs of mothers; and it is also said: the creation of Adam. (Why, then, do ye not reflect) upon the first creation and thus believe in the second creation?

(Have ye seen that which ye cultivate) of grains?

(Is it ye) O people of Mecca (who foster it) who makes it grow, (or are We the Fosterer) or are We the One to make it grow?

(If We willed, We verily could make it) the cultivation (chaff) and dry after being green, (then would ye cease not to exclaim) then you would wonder at its dryness and destruction, and exclaim:

(Lo! we are laden with debt) we are being punished by the destruction of our cultivations!

(Nay, but we are deprived) we are deprived of our cultivations! It is also said that this means: we are being fought against!

(Have ye) O people of Mecca (observed the) pure (water which ye drink) irrigate your fields with and give to your cattle to drink?

(Is it ye) O people of Mecca (who shed it from the rain cloud, or are We the Shedder?) Indeed, it is We Who send it down to you.

(If We willed We verily could make it) i.e. pure water (bitter. Why, then, give ye not thanks) for its purity and therefore believe?

(Have ye observed the Fire which ye strike out) from every dry twig except for the twigs of the Jujube tree;

(Was it ye) O people of Mecca (who made the tree thereof to grow) is it you who created the trees from which fire can be struck out, (or were We the Grower) or are We the Creator?

(We, even We, appointed it) i.e. the Fire (a memorial) a reminder of the Fire of the Hereafter (and a comfort) a benefit (for the dwellers in the wilderness) for the travellers in the wilderness.

(Therefore (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous) therefore pray in the name of your Lord, the Mighty; it is also said that this means: remember the divine Oneness of your Lord, the Mighty.

(Nay, I swear by the places of the stars) I swear by the revelation of the Qur'an in instalments (nujuman) unto Muhammad (pbuh).

(And lo! That) i.e. the Qur'an (verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew) if you but believe.

(That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an) a noble and bounteous Qur'an

(In a Book kept hidden) it is written down in the Guarded Tablet; and this is why the oath was made

(Which none toucheth) i.e. the Guarded Tablet (save the purified) from ritual impurities and sins, i.e. the angels; it is also said that this means: none acts upon the Qur'an except those who are given success,

(A revelation) a speech (from the Lord of the Worlds) unto Muhammad (pbuh).

(Is it this Statement) is it this Qur'an which Muhammad (pbuh) recites to you, O people of Mecca, (that ye scorn) that you deny, and claim that there is no Paradise or hell, resurrection or reckoning, as the Prophet says,

(And make denial thereof your livelihood) and say about the rain that you are given: we were given rain because of such-and-such a storm?

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

And ye) O people of Mecca (are at that moment looking) when his soul will come out

(And We are nearer unto him) the angel of death and his aids are closer to the dying person (than ye are) than his own family, (but ye see not) the angel of death and his aids.

(Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us)) if you are not legally bound, rewarded or taken to task,

(Do ye not force it back) force the soul back to the body, (if ye are truthful) that you are not legally bound?

(Thus if he is of those brought nigh) to the Garden of Eden,

(Then breath of life) then rest for them in the grave; and it is also said that this means: then there is mercy for them, (and plenty) when they come out of the grave; and it is also said this means: and provision, (and a Garden of Delight) on the Day of Judgement whose delight is perpetual.

(And if he is of those on the right hand) of the inhabitants of Paradise, and all of them are,

(Then (the greeting) " Peace be unto thee " from those on the right hand) then peace and safety to you from the people of the right hand; Allah has taken charge of their matter and saved them; it is also said this means: the people of Paradise greet you with the greeting of peace.

(But if he is of the rejecters) of Allah, His Messenger and His Scripture, (the erring) from faith,

(Then the welcome) their food will be of Zaqqum while their drink (will be boiling water

And roasting at hellfire.

Lo! This) which We have described (is certain truth) that will undoubtedly take place.

(Therefore (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous) therefore pray by the command of your Lord, the Mighty; and it is also said that this means: remember the divine Oneness of your Lord, the Mighty, Who is more tremendous than all there is'.