Sūrat al-Wāqiʿa
سورۃ الواقعہ
Tabāraka smu rabbika — O Prophet! Blessed is your Lord's Name — the Possessor of jalāl — grandeur — also a generous one — grandeur and grace are also in it — an honour-giver — and of grace and bounty — greatness is also in it.
Translation: — Blessed is your Lord's Name — the Possessor of Majesty and Grace.
Sūrat al-Wāqiʿa was revealed in Makka and it has ninety-six (96) verses and three (3) rukūʿs.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ
idhā waqaʿati l-wāqiʿaẗu.
"When the Inevitable Event occurs." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:1)
Translation: — When that promised Event (the Resurrection) occurs.
لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
laysa li-waqʿatihā kādhibaẗun.
"There is no denying its occurrence." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:2)
Laysa li-waqʿatihā — there is no — kādhibatun — lie in its occurrence — no one can deny it.
Translation: — In the occurrence of this event there is no lie, no untruth.
خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ
khāfiḍatun rāfiʿaẗun.
"Bringing low, raising high." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:3)
Khāfiḍatun — it brings down, lowers — degrading and humiliating those who deserve it — rāfiʿatun — and raises up — the one who deserves elevation — rāfiʿaẗun — this elevates their station.
Translation: — (That Event) will lower some people and raise others.
إِذَا رُجَّتِ الْأَرْضُ رَجًّا
idhā rujjati l-arḍu rajjā.
"When the earth is shaken with a violent shaking." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:4)
Idhā rujjati l-arḍu — when the earth is shaken — rajjā — with a very violent shaking — thoroughly shaken.
Translation: — When the earth is shaken with violent shaking.
وَبُسَّتِ الْجِبَالُ بَسًّا
wa-bussati l-jibālu bassā.
"And the mountains are crushed to powder." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:5)
Wa-bussati l-jibālu — and the mountains — bassā — they are smashed — shattered — crumbled entirely into tiny pieces.
Translation: — And the mountains will be totally crumbled into pieces.
فَكَانَتْ هَبَاءً مُّنبَثًّا
fa-kānat habāʾan munbaththā.
"And become scattered dust." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:6)
Fa-kānat habāʾan — they will become specks — scattered — munbaththā — scattered dust — scattered and dispersed.
Translation: — Then (from those mountains) specks will be floating.
وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً
wa-kuntum azwājan thalāthaẗan.
"And you will be in three kinds." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:7)
Translation: — And you will be divided into three kinds.
فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ
fa-aṣḥābu l-maymanaẗi mā aṣḥābu l-maymanat.
"Then the People of the Right — what are the People of the Right?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:8)
Fa-aṣḥābu l-maymanaẗi — then the people of the right side — mā aṣḥābu l-maymanaẗi — what is the state of the people of the right side — what are the people of the right side.
Translation: — Then the People of the Right — what is to be said of the people of the right side!
وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ
wa-aṣḥābu l-mashʾamaẗi mā aṣḥābu l-mashʾamat.
"And the People of the Left — what are the People of the Left?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:9)
Wa-aṣḥābu l-mashʾamaẗi — and the people of the left side — mā aṣḥābu l-mashʾamaẗi — how bad are they — the people of the left side — they will be the people of the left hand.
Translation: — And the People of the Left — what a bad condition those People of the Left will be in.
وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ
wa-l-sābiqūna l-sābiqūn.
"And the Foremost — the Foremost." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:10)
Wa-l-sābiqūna — and those who are foremost, who are of the highest rank from others — al-sābiqūna — they are the foremost — truly foremost.
Translation: — And those who are of the highest rank — they are truly of the highest rank.
أُولَٰئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ
ulāʾika l-muqarrabūn.
"Those are the brought-near." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:11)
Translation: — Those are the ones brought near (to Allah).
فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
fī jannāti l-naʿīm.
"In the Gardens of Bliss." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:12)
Translation: — In the Gardens of Bliss (in great comfort and ease).
ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ
thullatun mina l-awwalīn.
"A large group of the earlier ones." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:13)
One class will be from the earlier people — the foremost from among them.
Translation: — A large group will be from the earliest people.
وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ
wa-qalīlun mina l-ākhirīn.
"And a few from the later ones." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:14)
Translation: — And a few later people will be from them.
عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَّوْضُونَةٍ
ʿalā sururin mawḍūnaẗin.
"Upon thrones studded with precious stones." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:15)
ʿAlā sururin — on thrones — mawḍūnaẗin — some things studded over them — woven — mawḍūnatun — something studded — silver-crafted and threaded with jewels — thrones.
Translation: — On studded, silver-and-jewel-adorned thrones they will be seated.
مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَابِلِينَ
muttakiʾīna ʿalayhā mutaqābilīn.
"Reclining upon them, facing one another." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:16)
Muttakiʾīna ʿalayhā — reclining on them — mutaqābilīna — one in front of another — facing each other.
Translation: — Reclining on them, facing one another.
يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ
yaṭūfu ʿalayhim wildānun mukhalladūn.
"Around them will circulate immortal youths." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:17)
Yaṭūfu ʿalayhim — they will circulate around them — come and go — wildānun — the youths, the young — mukhalladūna — the eternally young, who always remain — immortal.
Translation: — The paradise youths (eternally young servants, carrying drinks and other things) will always be going about them.
بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ
bi-akwābin wa-abārīqa wa-kaʾsin min maʿīn.
"With goblets, pitchers, and a cup from a pure spring." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:18)
Bi-akwābin — with goblets — gathered cups — wa-abārīqa — and pitchers — vessels — goblets — wa-kaʾsin — and cups — min maʿīnin — from pure water and drinks.
Translation: — (The youths in hand) will carry goblets and pitchers and cups of pure water and pure drinks.
لَا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ
lā yuṣaddaʿūna ʿanhā wa-lā yunzifūn.
"They will not be affected by headache from it nor will they be intoxicated." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:19)
Lā yuṣaddaʿūna ʿanhā — from drinking this there will be no headache — not the worldly drink — wa-lā yunzifūna — and not like worldly drinks will they become incapacitated in their minds.
Translation: — Neither will they give them headache nor will they cause senselessness.
وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ
wa-fākihaẗin mimmā yatakhayyarūn.
"And fruits of whatever they choose." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:20)
Wa-fākihaẗun — and fruits of every kind — mimmā yatakhayyarūna — whatever they choose — whatever they select.
Translation: — The youths will keep going around with the fruits they choose to select.
وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
wa-laḥmi ṭayrin mimmā yashtahūn.
"And meat of birds — whatever they desire." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:21)
Wa-laḥmi ṭayrin — and the meat of birds — mimmā yashtahūna — whatever they desire — whatever they want.
Translation: — And the meat of young birds which they desire.
وَحُورٌ عِينٌ
wa-ḥūrun ʿīn.
"And large-eyed ḥūrīs." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:22)
Wa-ḥūrun — and ḥūrīs — ʿīnun — large-eyed — aynāʾu — is its singular — the plural of large eyes.
Translation: — And large-eyed ḥūrīs.
كَأَمْثَالِ اللُّؤْلُؤِ الْمَكْنُونِ
ka-amthāli l-luʾluʾi l-maknūn.
"Like carefully preserved pearls." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:23)
Ka-amthālin — they are like — al-luʾluʾi l-maknūni — pearls — maknūnun — hidden away — pearls kept in storage.
Translation: — Like carefully preserved pearls (that no tarnish has touched).
جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
jazāʾan bi-mā kānū yaʿmalūn.
"A recompense for what they used to do." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:24)
Translation: — This is the recompense of what they used to do (all these are their recompense).
لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا
lā yasmaʿūna fīhā laghwan wa-lā taʾthīmā.
"They will not hear therein any idle talk nor any sinful speech." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:25)
Lā yasmaʿūna fīhā — in paradise the people of paradise will not hear — laghwan — idle talk — wa-lā taʾthīmā — and no sinful speech — no bad word — no lie will be told.
Translation: — (The people of paradise) will not hear any idle or sinful talk.
إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَامًا سَلَامًا
illā qīlan salāman salāmā.
"Except the saying: 'Peace! Peace!'" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:26)
But the saying here is salāman — in the original it is a word of absolute meaning — the word of peace — it means absolute peace — from every direction there will come only the voice of salām.
Translation: — There only the voice of salām will come from every direction.
وَأَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ
wa-aṣḥābu l-yamīni mā aṣḥābu l-yamīn.
"And the People of the Right — what are the People of the Right?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:27)
Wa-aṣḥābu l-yamīni — and the people of the right side — mā aṣḥābu l-yamīni — what is the state of the people of the right — those are the people of the right side.
Translation: — And the People of the Right — what are the people of the right hand!
فِي سِدْرٍ مَّخْضُودٍ
فِي سِدْرٍ مَّخْضُودٍ
fī sidrin makhḍūd.
"Among thornless lote-trees." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:28)
Fī sidrin — among the lote-trees — the berry — makhḍūdin — thornless — without thorns — the trees' thorns will be removed — there will be no thorns at all.
Translation: — They will be among the thornless lote-trees.
وَطَلْحٍ مَّنضُودٍ
wa-ṭalḥin manḍūd.
"And layered banana-trees." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:29)
Ṭalḥun — bananas — layered — level upon level.
Translation: — And there will also be banana tree shade.
وَظِلٍّ مَّمْدُودٍ
wa-ẓillin mamdūd.
"And extended shade." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:30)
Ẓillun — shade — mamdūdun — long — extended.
Translation: — And the shade of paradise trees will stretch as far as one goes.
وَمَاءٍ مَّسْكُوبٍ
wa-māʾin maskūb.
"And poured water." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:31)
Maskūbun — poured, flowing.
Translation: — And there will also be flowing water.
وَفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ
wa-fākihaẗin kathīraẗin.
"And abundant fruits." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:32)
Translation: — And many abundant fruits.
لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍ
lā maqṭūʿatin wa-lā mamnūʿaẗin.
"Neither cut off nor forbidden." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:33)
Lā maqṭūʿatun — not ending — it will not be exhausted — wa-lā mamnūʿatun — and from them none will be held back.
Translation: — The fruits will never be exhausted, and no one will be prevented from them.
وَفُرُشٍ مَّرْفُوعَةٍ
wa-furushin marfūʿaẗin.
"And raised couches." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:34)
Furushshin — the plural of firāsh — couches — marfūʿatun — high, elevated.
Translation: — And their couches will be raised high on thrones and pedestals.
إِنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً
innā anshaʾnāhunna inshāʾan.
"Indeed We created them a special creation." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:35)
Innā anshaʾnāhunna — We have created them — inshāʾan — specially — a special creation.
Translation: — We have created them by Our own special power.
فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا
fa-jaʿalnāhunna abkārā.
"And made them virgins." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:36)
Fa-jaʿalnāhunna — then We made them — abkārā — virgins — young girls — unmarried women — a woman who no man has touched.
Translation: — We made them virgins.
عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا
ʿuruban atrābā.
"Loving companions of equal age." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:37)
ʿUruban — the plural of ʿarūba — one full of love for her husband — atrābun — the plural of tirb — equal in age, companions.
Translation: — Loving and intimate — all of the same age, companions.
لِّأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ
li-aṣḥābi l-yamīn.
"For the People of the Right." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:38)
Translation: — All these things will be for the people of the right hand.
ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ﴾ ﴿وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ
thullatun mina l-awwalīna wa-thullatun mina l-ākhirīn.
"A large group of the earlier ones and a large group of the later ones." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:39–40)
Translation: — A large group from the earliest people and a large group from the later ones.
وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ
wa-aṣḥābu l-shimāli mā aṣḥābu l-shimāl.
"And the People of the Left — what are the People of the Left?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:41)
Translation: — And the People of the Left — the left-handed people — what a state those left-side people will be in.
فِي سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ
fī samūmin wa-ḥamīm.
"In a scorching wind and scalding water." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:42)
Fī samūmin — in a poisonous wind — hot poison — sammun — wa-ḥamīmin — and scalding hot water — maḥmūmun — the hot sting — the heat it brings.
Translation: — In poisonous wind and scalding hot water.
وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ
wa-ẓillin min yaḥmūm.
"And shade from black smoke." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:43)
Wa-ẓillin min yaḥmūmin — and shade from black smoke — black smoke.
Translation: — And they will be under black smoke (difficult to breathe).
لَّا بَارِدٍ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ
lā bāridin wa-lā karīm.
"Neither cool nor gracious." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:44)
Lā bāridin — this shade will not be cool — wa-lā karīmin — and there will be no honour or grace — of no benefit.
Translation: — It will not be cool nor will it be a source of honour and comfort.
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتْرَفِينَ
innahum kānū qabla dhālika mutrafīn.
"Indeed they used to be, before this, living in luxury." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:45)
Innahum kānū — these people were — qabla dhālika — from before this — in their worldly life — mutrafīna — pampered, luxurious — living luxuriously.
Translation: — Before this they were living in luxury, pampered.
وَكَانُوا يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى الْحِنثِ الْعَظِيمِ
wa-kānū yuṣirrūna ʿalā l-ḥinthi l-ʿaẓīm.
"And they used to persist in grave sin." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:46)
Wa-kānū yuṣirrūna — and they persistently insisted on — ʿalā l-ḥinthi l-ʿaẓīmi — the grave sin — that is, the great sin of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and kufr (denial).
Translation: — And they were very persistent in grave sin (the great sin of shirk and kufr).
وَكَانُوا يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
wa-kānū yaqūlūna aʾidhā mitnā wa-kunnā turāban wa-ʿiẓāman aʾinnā la-mabʿūthūn.
"And they used to say: 'When we die and become dust and bones — are we indeed to be resurrected?'" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:47)
Wa-kānū yaqūlūna — and they used to say about the Resurrection — when we die — muttā — dying, death comes — wa-kunnā turāban wa-ʿiẓāman — and we become mere dust and only bones remain — turāb — dry dust — ʿiẓām — bones — the plural of ʿaẓm — fa-idhā mitnā — so when we die — aʾinnā la-mabʿūthūna — are we really going to be raised up — are we going to be raised and made to stand?
Translation: — These people used to say: when we die and become dust and only bones remain — then will we really be raised up from the graves?
أَوَ آبَاؤُنَا الْأَوَّلُونَ
awa ābāʾunā l-awwalūn.
"And also our earliest forefathers?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:48)
Awa ābāʾunā — and our forefathers too — will they also come back to life — al-awwalūna — the earliest, the previous ones — the first ones.
Translation: — And our earliest forefathers too — will they also come back to life?
قُلْ إِنَّ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَالْآخِرِينَ
qul inna l-awwalīna wa-l-ākhirīn.
"Say: Indeed the earlier and the later ones." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:49)
Qul — O Prophet! Give the answer — inna l-awwalīna wa-l-ākhirīna — yes, certainly — the earliest and the latest — everyone.
Translation: — (O Prophet!) Say: both the earliest and the latest are certainly —
لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَاتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ
la-majmūʿūna ilā mīqāti yawmin maʿlūm.
"— surely to be gathered at the appointed time of a known Day." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:50)
La-majmūʿūna — they will certainly all be gathered — ilā mīqātin — at the appointed time — at the fixed hour — yawmin maʿlūmin — the well-known Day — the Day of Resurrection.
Translation: — All will certainly be gathered at the fixed appointed hour of the Day of Resurrection.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا الضَّالُّونَ الْمُكَذِّبُونَ
thumma innakum ayyuhā l-ḍāllūna l-mukadhdhibūn.
"Then indeed you — O you erring deniers!" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:51)
Thumma — then certainly — ayyuhā l-ḍāllūna — O you erring ones — going astray — al-mukadhdhibūna — the deniers, the rejectors — O you who reject the Prophet and the Resurrection!
Translation: — Then certainly you — O you going astray! O you who deny the Prophet and the Resurrection!
لَآكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ
la-ākilūna min shajarin min zaqqūm.
"Will indeed eat from the tree of Zaqqūm." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:52)
La-ākilūna — you will certainly eat — min shajarin min zaqqūmin — from the Zaqqūm tree — a cactus tree — thorny — a repulsive tree.
Translation: — You will certainly be made to eat (in Hell) the fruit of the Zaqqūm tree (which is ablaze with fire).
فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ
fa-māliʾūna minhā l-buṭūn.
"And will fill your bellies with it." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:53)
Fa-māliʾūna — filling — minhā l-buṭūna — from it the bellies — then from the Zaqqūm tree filling the bellies.
Translation: — Then from it the bellies will be filled.
فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ
fa-shāribūna ʿalayhi mina l-ḥamīm.
"Then drinking on top of it from scalding water." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:54)
Fa-shāribūna ʿalayhi — then drinking will follow — mina l-ḥamīmin — from boiling hot water — seething hot water.
Translation: — Then on top of that scalding water will be drunk.
فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ
fa-shāribūna shurba l-hīm.
"And you will drink like drinking of thirsty camels." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:55)
Fa-shāribūna — then drinking will occur — shurba l-hīmi — in the drinking of thirsty camels — hāma — a thirsty camel — hīmun — the plural of hayim — very thirsty — ʿaṭshān — thirsty camels — thirsty she-camels — thirsty she-camels — very thirsty camels.
Translation: — Then they will drink that scalding water in the way that thirsty camels drink.
هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ
hādhā nuzuluhum yawma l-dīn.
"This is their welcome on the Day of Recompense." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:56)
Hādhā nuzuluhum — this is their hospitality — it will be a reception — yawma l-dīni — the Day of Recompense — the Day of Judgment.
Translation: — This will be their hospitality on the Day of Recompense.
نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ
naḥnu khalaqnākum fa-lawlā tuṣaddiqūn.
"We created you — so why do you not believe?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:57)
Naḥnu khalaqnākum — it is We who created you — the very first time — fa-lawlā tuṣaddiqūna — then why do you not affirm — why do you not believe — is creating the second time more difficult? Why do you not confirm?
Translation: — It is We who created you — so why do you not then affirm?
أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ
a-fa-raʾaytum mā tumnūn.
"Then have you considered the seed-drop you emit?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:58)
A-fa-raʾaytum — have you then seen — reflected — mā tumnūna — what you emit — this drop — the drop of seminal fluid you plant.
Translation: — Just look at the drop of semen that you emit.
أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ
a-antum takhluqūnahū am naḥnu l-khāliqūn.
"Is it you who create it, or are We the Creators?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:59)
A-antum takhluqūnahū — do you create this drop — are you its creator? — am naḥnu l-khāliqūna — or are We the Creators — the ones who bring it into being?
Translation: — Is it you who bring it into existence (the drop), or are We its Creators?
نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ
naḥnu qaddarnā baynakumu l-mawta wa-mā naḥnu bi-masbūqīn.
"We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outstripped." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:60)
Naḥnu qaddarnā — We have decreed and determined — baynakumu l-mawta — death among you — fixed the time of death for you — wa-mā naḥnu bi-masbūqīna — and We are not to be overtaken — not to be preceded — sabaqahu — to go before — masbūq — the one preceded — We are not to be outrun — We will not be defeated.
Translation: — We have fixed death among you, and We will never be outstripped — We will never be defeated.
عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
ʿalā an nubaddila amthālakum wa-nunshaʾakum fī mā lā taʿlamūn.
"That We replace you with others like you and recreate you in a form you do not know." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:61)
ʿAlā an nubaddila — so that We can replace — amthālakum — your bodily forms — the shapes you were given in this world — We can replace those with new shapes — in the Afterlife you will be given the shapes that befit it — in its imagination is the shape befitting this world and in the Afterlife the shape befitting that — wa-nunshaʾakum — and We can raise you up — create you again — and stand you up — fī mā lā taʿlamūna — in a form you do not yet know — you do not yet know what it is.
Translation: — That We replace your forms and recreate you in a shape none of you yet knows.
وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
wa-laqad ʿalimtumu l-nashʾata l-ūlā fa-lawlā tadhakkarūn.
"And you have known the first creation — so why do you not take heed?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:62)
Wa-laqad ʿalimtum — and you certainly know — you are well aware — al-nashʾata l-ūlā — the first creation — the first arising — the first birth — fa-lawlā tadhakkarūna — then why do you not reflect — why do you not take heed, think, and ponder?
Translation: — You know full well the first creation and emergence; so why do you not ponder (on the second creation)?
أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ
a-fa-raʾaytum mā taḥruthūn.
"Have you considered what you sow?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:63)
A-fa-raʾaytum — just look and see — mā taḥruthūna — what you sow — the crops you sow — ḥarth — farming — khaytī — cultivation, tillage.
Translation: — Just look at the crops you sow (seeds and so forth).
أَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ
a-antum tazraʿūnahū am naḥnu l-zāriʿūn.
"Is it you who grow it, or are We the Growers?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:64)
A-antum tazraʿūnahū — do you grow it — are you its cultivator — its farmer — or are we who grow it — al-zāriʿūna — the ones who bring it to success in cultivation.
Translation: — Do you grow it, or are We its Growers?
لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ
law nashāʾu la-jaʿalnāhu ḥuṭāman fa-ẓaltum tafakkahūn.
"If We willed, We could make it into rubble, and you would remain lamenting." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:65)
Law nashāʾu — if We willed — la-jaʿalnāhu — We would have made it — ḥuṭāman — into rubble — chaff, crumbled — fa-ẓaltum — then you would have spent your time — tafakkahūna — making lamentations — talking in bewilderment.
Translation: — If We willed, We could reduce it to rubble, and you would be left in bewilderment, talking helplessly.
إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ
innā la-mughramūn.
"We are indeed ruined." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:66)
Translation: — (And you would say:) We are ruined — (we have suffered great loss and come away in deficit).
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
bal naḥnu maḥrūmūn.
"Rather, we are deprived." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:67)
Translation: — Rather, we are destitute and deprived — (our fortune has slipped from our hands).
أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ
a-fa-raʾaytumu l-māʾa lladhī tashrabūn.
"Have you considered the water that you drink?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:68)
A-fa-raʾaytum — just look — reflect — al-māʾa — the water — lladhī tashrabūna — which you drink.
Translation: — Just look at this water that you drink.
أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ
a-antum anzaltumūhu mina l-muzni am naḥnu l-munzilūn.
"Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or are We the Ones who send it down?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:69)
A-antum anzaltumūhu — did you bring it down — did you descend it — mina l-muzni — from the clouds — the sky — mina l-muzni — from the clouds — abr se — from the cloud — kiyā tum barsāte ho — did you cause it to rain — am naḥnu l-munzilūna — or are We the ones who send it down — We are the ones who bring it down, who rain it down.
Translation: — Did you bring this water down from the clouds, or are We the ones who send it down?
لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ
law nashāʾu jaʿalnāhu ujājan fa-lawlā tashkurūn.
"If We willed, We could make it bitter — so why do you not give thanks?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:70)
Law nashāʾu — if We willed — jaʿalnāhu ujājan — We would make this water intensely salty and bitter — and you could not drink it — fa-lawlā tashkurūna — then why do you not give thanks — why do you not acknowledge Our favour? Why do you not be grateful?
Translation: — If We willed, We could make this water bitter and salty — then why do you not give thanks (and not acknowledge the favour)?
أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ
a-fa-raʾaytumu l-nāra llatī tūrūn.
"Have you considered the fire you kindle?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:71)
A-fa-raʾaytum — just look — reflect — al-nāra — the fire — llatī tūrūna — which you kindle — which you light.
Translation: — Just look at the fire you kindle.
أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ
a-antum anshaʾtum shajaratahā am naḥnu l-munshiʾūn.
"Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the Producers?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:72)
A-antum anshaʾtum — did you create it — shajaratahā — its tree — the tree of fire — ʿumūman lakṛiyoṃ se āg se — generally, from its wood, from fire — this fire which is lit from trees, and such trees are well-known, like the peepal tree (chakkar) or the bamboo tree whose friction ignites fire in the jungle — am naḥnu l-munshiʾūna — or are We its Producers?
Translation: — Did you create its tree, or are We its Creators?
نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَاهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَاعًا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ
naḥnu jaʿalnāhā tadhkiratan wa-matāʿan li-l-muqwīn.
"We have made it a reminder and a provision for the needy." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:73)
Naḥnu jaʿalnāhā tadhkiratan — We have made this fire a reminder — a remembrance — of the Fire of Hell — wa-matāʿan — and a provision, a benefit, a means of use — li-l-muqwīna — for the needy — yaqwī — to strengthen — iftaqara — to be in need — muqwīna — those who are needy, those who need it as a means — masākin — the poor — those who are powerless and in need.
Translation: — We have made this fire (of Hell) a reminder and made it useful and beneficial for those in need.
Translation (continuation): — We have made this fire a reminder (of the Fire of Hell) and a provision useful for those in need.
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
fa-sabbiḥ bi-smi rabbika l-ʿaẓīm.
"So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:74)
Fa-sabbiḥ — then glorify — proclaim purity — bi-smi rabbika l-ʿaẓīmi — with the name of your Lord the Most Great — your Lord of tremendous majesty — leave aside these wretched people and proclaim the purity of your Lord.
Translation: — Then (O Prophet!) continue glorifying (and proclaiming the purity of) your Lord of tremendous majesty.
فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ
fa-lā uqsimu bi-mawāqiʿi l-nujūm.
"So I swear by the positions of the stars." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:75)
Fa-lā — then no — I do not need to swear an oath — this matter is so self-evidently true that there is no need for Me to swear — uqsimu — I swear — bi-mawāqiʿi l-nujūmi — by the setting-places of the stars — look! The stars — when they set, as the stars set, the darkness of night arrives and all the paths of knowledge and skill are blocked — the heart, if it does not remain illuminated with the light of faith, there is no way guidance will come — the Qurʾān will not be understood.
Translation: — Then no — I swear by the setting-places of the stars. (This also has the meaning that: when the stars set, darkness arrives and this is witnessed every single day, and so there is no need to swear an oath for it.)
وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَّوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ
wa-innahū la-qasam lawu taʿlamūna ʿaẓīm.
"And indeed it is a great oath, if only you knew." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:76)
Wa-innahū la-qasamun — and indeed it is an oath — without doubt — lawu taʿlamūna ʿaẓīmun — it is a great oath — if you truly understood and reflected upon it — the remaining paths of faith and guidance, the remaining paths of guidance and direction — this would be given testimony by its increasing enormity.
Translation: — And indeed it is a great oath — if you but understood and reflected, it is a truly great oath.
إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ
innahū la-qurʾānun karīm.
"Indeed it is a noble Qurʾān." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:77)
Innahū la-qurʾānun — indeed it is the Qurʾān — karīmun — noble — precious — full of value and honour, reverence.
Translation: — Indeed it is the noble Qurʾān.
فِي كِتَابٍ مَّكْنُونٍ
fī kitābin maknūn.
"In a preserved Book." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:78)
Translation: — In a hidden, preserved Book — (in the Preserved Tablet, in the hearts of the believers, on the tongues and in the breasts of those who memorise it).
لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
lā yamassuhū illā l-muṭahharūn.
"None touch it except the purified." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:79)
Lā yamassuhū — they do not touch it — illā l-muṭahharūna — except the pure ones — the purified people.
Translation: — No one touches it except the pure people.
O scholars! People hold various opinions in the interpretation of this verse. Some scholars consider that the Qurʾān is the attribute of Allah — and His speech — and His word is eternal — khudā bhī qadīm hai — Allah is also eternal — and the Qurʾān, that is Allah's speech, is also eternal — and us kī āwāz yānī ṣawt va makhārij qadīm — the sound of it, i.e., the voice and the articulation-points are of the highest and most exalted rank. Some rationalists (dānishmandon) hold the view that the formulation of the world of sound will descend to that station — to them Gabriel would come — un se milne ke liʾe jab is ʿālam mein ātā — when entering this world to meet them — and he would take on the appropriate forms of this world — and would descend with the Qurʾān — and give it a bearded appearance — then from that point the Gabriel still remains — these are the occasions of the descent of the Qurʾān — (ḥudūth ẓuhūr kī wajah se kiyā qurʾān ko ḥādith samjhā) — and from the occasions of the descent being an event, does this make the Qurʾān itself an event? — This verse tells some that the Qurʾān cannot be touched by anyone — those who say it cannot be touched by anyone — that certain angels cannot come close to the Qurʾān — some say that the Qurʾān is in a Lawḥ Maḥfūẓ (Preserved Tablet) and by this no one other than the purified angels can touch it — some say that Muslims should not touch the Qurʾān without wuḍūʾ (ablution) — some say that the letters of the Qurʾān, the text — and the Qurʾān — awrāq — all pages — some portion of the Qurʾān's commentary is separate — some say that the Qurʾān can be touched if one has wuḍūʾ — since the juzw dān — the Qurʾān's individual parts — one may touch with wuḍūʾ — some say that the Qurʾān if one touches it without wuḍūʾ creates difficulties — some say that one reason for this is that ḥaḍrat ʿUmar ke muslim hone se — from the becoming Muslim of Sayyidunā ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Qurʾān was already in his hands before his becoming Muslim and that he would read it — some respond to this saying that this verse was revealed after ʿUmar's conversion to Islam — in any case, it is appropriate that one touch the Qurʾān with a pure heart, a pure tongue, and clean hands — with firmness of intention and sincerity — and to hold the Qurʾān in wuḍūʾ and in a covered manner is fitting.
تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
tanzīlun min rabbi l-ʿālamīn.
"A revelation from the Lord of all the worlds." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:80)
Translation: — It has been sent down and delivered from the Lord of all the worlds.
أَفَبِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
a-fa-bi-hādhā l-ḥadīthi antum mudhinūn.
"Then is it this discourse that you treat with contempt?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:81)
Dahanā yadhanu — hypocrisy — nifāqī — wa-dahana l-rajula — and he deceived and cheated the man — khataʿa wa-khatalahu wa-lā yana-hu — deceiving him, tricking him, and not stopping him — mudhinūn — is it you who are treating this with duplicity — making things deceptive and tricking — carrying on cunningly — or are you denying the divine speech?
Translation: — Do you then treat this discourse with duplicity and deception — (carrying on deceitfully and giving nothing but lip service) — or are you denying the divine speech?
وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ
wa-tajʿalūna rizqakum annakum tukadhdhibūn.
"And you make your provision the fact that you deny?" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:82)
Wa-tajʿalūna rizqakum — and you make your sustenance and livelihood — annakum tukadhdhibūna — your denial — you make denial of the Prophet and Islam your means of livelihood — you make the denial of Islam your means of sustenance.
Translation: — And (the denial of Islam) you make your means of livelihood.
فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ
fa-lawlā idhā balaghati l-ḥulqūm.
"So why, when the soul reaches the throat —" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:83)
Fa-lawlā — then why do you not — idhā balaghati l-ḥulqūma — when the soul reaches the throat — the throat — khurāṭā — the windpipe — the soul will reach the throat.
Translation: — Then why not, when the soul reaches the throat?
وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ
wa-antum ḥīnaʾidhin tanẓurūn.
"While you at that time are looking on." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:84)
Wa-antum ḥīnaʾidhin — and you at that time — tanẓurūna — will be looking — watching — staring — looking helplessly.
Translation: — And you will be watching helplessly at that time.
وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ
wa-naḥnu aqrabu ilayhi minkum wa-lākin lā tubṣirūn.
"And We are nearer to him than you are — but you do not see." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:85)
Wa-naḥnu aqrabu — and We are nearer — closer — ilayhi — to him — minkum — than you are — in relation to death We are closer than you — wa-lākin lā tubṣirūna — but you cannot see — your eyes' veil of heedlessness has been drawn — meaning, death is near but your eyes' veil of heedlessness has been drawn, a curtain has fallen over your eyes.
Translation: — And We are nearer to him than you, but you do not see.
فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ
fa-lawlā in kuntum ghayra madīnīn.
"Then why, if you are not to be held accountable —" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:86)
Fa-lawlā — then why not — in kuntum — if you are indeed — ghayra madīnīna — not under anyone's governance — fī l-wāqiʿ — in reality — ghayra madīnīna — not subject to any rule — if you genuinely do not consider yourselves under authority — (and you consider yourselves free and self-determining).
Translation: — Then why not! If indeed you are not subject to any authority — (and you consider yourselves free and self-determining).
تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
tarjiʿūnahā in kuntum ṣādiqīn.
"Then bring it back, if you are truthful." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:87)
Tarjiʿūnahā — bring it back — bring the soul back — when the soul reaches the throat — and the end draws near — and the final moment approaches — tarjiʿūnahā — bring it back — if you are truly free and self-determining — bring it back — in kuntum ṣādiqīna — if you are truly truthful — if you are truly free and self-directing.
Translation: — (Then why not) bring the soul back — if you are truthful (and if you are free and self-governing).
فَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ
fa-ammā in kāna mina l-muqarrabīn.
"So if he be of those brought near —" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:88)
Translation: — Then if he is among those brought near to Allah — (among the elect of Allah's court) —
فَرَوْحٌ وَرَيْحَانٌ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍ
fa-rawḥun wa-rayḥānun wa-jannatu naʿīm.
"Then rest and fragrance and a Garden of delight." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:89)
Fa-rawḥun — then for him is rest and comfort — wa-rayḥānun — and flowers — wa-jannatu naʿīmin — and a garden of blessings.
Translation: — Then for him is rest, flowers, and the Garden of blessings.
وَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ
wa-ammā in kāna min aṣḥābi l-yamīn.
"And if he be of the People of the Right —" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:90)
Translation: — And if he is from the People of the Right hand —
فَسَلَامٌ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ
fa-salāmun laka min aṣḥābi l-yamīn.
"Then: 'Peace be upon you' from the People of the Right." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:91)
Translation: — Then (that person will be told) peace be upon you, from the People of the Right hand.
وَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ الضَّالِّينَ
wa-ammā in kāna mina l-mukadhdhibīna l-ḍāllīn.
"But if he be of the denying, the erring —" (al-Wāqiʿa 56:92)
Wa-ammā in kāna — and if he is — mina l-mukadhdhibīna l-ḍāllīna — of the deniers — those who deny — those who go astray and are misguided.
Translation: — And if he is among the deniers and the misguided —
فَنُزُلٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
fa-nuzulun min ḥamīm.
"Then a welcome of scalding water." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:93)
Translation: — Then his welcome will be from scalding hot water.
وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ
wa-taṣliyatu jaḥīm.
"And burning in Hellfire." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:94)
Translation: — And burning in the Hellfire.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ
inna hādhā la-huwa ḥaqqu l-yaqīn.
"Indeed this is the certain truth." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:95)
Translation: — Indeed without doubt this is the absolute certain truth.
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
fa-sabbiḥ bi-smi rabbika l-ʿaẓīm.
"So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great." (al-Wāqiʿa 56:96)
Translation: — (Leave aside the thoughts of these wretched ones and) continue glorifying your Lord of tremendous majesty (in praise and sanctification).