This is the seventh and last Sura of the series devoted to Revelation and the Hereafter, as explained in the Introduction to Sura 50.
It belongs to the early Meccan period, with the possible exception of one or more verses. The theme is the certainty of the Day of Judgment and its adjustment of true Values (Verses 1 to 56); Allah's Power, Goodness and Glory (Verses 57 to 74); and the truth of Revelation (Verses 75 to 96).
Summary. -- When the Day of Judgment comes, the world as we know it will be shaken to its foundations, and men shall be sorted out into three sorts: Those nearest to Allah, in exalted Bliss; the Companions of the Right Hand, in Bliss; and the Companions of the Left Hand, in Misery. (Verses 1 to 56 and commentary C.234).
Surely the Power and Goodness of Allah, of which Revelation is a Sign, should lead man to accept the Message and glorify Him. (Verses 57 to 96 and commentary C.235).
C.234-(Verses 1 to 56)-THe Event Inevitable is the Day of Judgment: The world as we know it will be shaken to its depths, and its place will be taken by a world made new, where Good will be sorted out from Evil. In Dignity and Bliss will the Good find Fulfilment: Both those Nearest to the Throne of Allah, and those who earned, by faith and good life, the title, Companions of the Right Hand. Who can tell of the Misery in which the Companions of the Left Hand will live? They will be as it were in a fierce blast of Fire; their drink but boiling water; their shade that of Black Smoke that chokes their lungs; -- ever burning with hunger and thirst, and never satisfied: Fit emblems of the Life in Death to which Evil leads.
56:1 SURA 56. Waqia, or The Inevitable Event. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. When the Event Inevitable cometh to pass,
56:2 Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
56:3 (Many will it bring low, (many) will it exalt;
56:4 When the earth will be shaken to its depths,
56:5 And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
56:6 Becoming dust scattered abroad,
56:7 And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
56:8 Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand; -- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
56:9 And the Companions of the Left Hand, -- What will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
56:10 And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
56:11 These will be those Nearest to Allah:
56:12 In Gardens of Bliss:
56:13 A number of people from those of old,
56:14 And a few from those of later times.
56:15 (They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
56:16 Reclining on them, facing each other.
56:17 Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
56:18 With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear flowing fountains:
56:19 No afterache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
56:20 And with fruits, any that they may select;
56:21 And the flesh of fouls, any that they may desire.
56:22 And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes, --
56:23 Like unto Pearls well-guarded.
56:24 A Reward for the Deeds of their past (Life).
56:25 No frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill, --
56:26 Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".
56:27 The Companions of the Right Hand, -- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
56:28 (They will be) among Lote trees without thorns,
56:29 Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, --
56:30 In shade long extended,
56:31 By water flowing constantly,
56:32 And fruit in abundance.
56:33 Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
56:34 And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
56:35 We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
56:36 And made them virgin pure (and undefiled), --
56:37 Beloved (by nature), equal in age, --
56:38 For the Companions of the Right Hand.
56:39 Section 2. A (goodly) number from those of old,
56:40 And a (goodly) number from those of later times.
56:41 The Companions of the Left Hand, -- What will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
56:42 (They will be) in the midst of a fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
56:43 And in the shades of Black Smoke:
56:44 Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
56:45 For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
56:46 And persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
56:47 And they used to say, !What! When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again? --
56:48 "(We) and our fathers of old?"
56:49 Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,
56:50 "All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well known.
56:51 "Then will ye truly, -- O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood! --
56:52 "Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
56:53 "Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
56:54 "And drink Boiling water on top of
it:
56:55 "Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
56:56 Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
C.235-(Verses 57 to 96)-Learn ye then to witness the Truth in your lives. Your own creation and growth, the seeds that ye sow in the ground, the Circuit of Water through streams, rivers, and seas, to vapor, clouds and rain that feeds the streams, the Fire that stands as an emblem of Life and Light, -- all point to you Lord Supreme. His Revelation conveys the same Message to the pure in heart. Will ye receive it and live, assured of the truth of the Hereafter? Glory and Praise to Allah the Beneficent, Supreme in Justice, Mercy, and Truth!
56:57 It is We Who have Created you: Why will ye not witness the Truth?
56:58 Do ye then see? -- The (human Seed) that ye throw out, --
56:59 Is it ye that created it, or are We the Creators?
56:60 We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated
56:61 From changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (Forms) that ye know not.
56:62 And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: Why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
56:63 See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
56:64 Is it ye that causes it to grow, or are We the Cause?
56:65 Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
56:66 (Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):
56:67 "Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labor)".
56:68 See ye the water which ye drink?
56:69 Do ye bring it Down (in rain) from the Cloud or do We?
56:70 Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): Then why do ye not give thanks?
56:71 See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
56:72 Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire or do We grow it?
56:73 We have made it a memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
56:74 Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
56:75 Section 3. Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars, --
56:76 And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew, --
56:77 That this is indeed a Koran most honorable,
56:78 In a Book well-guarded,
56:79 Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
56:80 A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
56:81 Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
56:82 And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?
56:83 Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat, --
56:84 And ye the while (sit) looking on, --
56:85 But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not, --
56:86 Then why do ye not, -- if you are exempt from (future) account, --
56:87 Call back the soul, if ye are true (in your claim of Independence)?
56:88 Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah,
56:89 (There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.
56:90 And if he be of the Companions of the Right Hand,
56:91 (For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.
56:92 And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
56:93 For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water,
56:94 And burning in Hellfire.
56:95 Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainty.
56:96 So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.
