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Surah Al-Waqi'ah

The Inevitable

Chapter 56 of 114

Beautiful Quran Recitation

Surah Al-Waqi'ah

Recited by Salaah Bukhaatir

Overview

About this Surah

The Surah has been so named after the very first word at-tin.

At a glance

Surah 56 of 114

Translation
English
Recitation
Salaah Bukhaatir

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Commentary

Tafsir

<h2>Name</h2>
<p>The Surah has been so named after the very first word <em>at-tin</em>.</p>
<h2>Period of Revelation</h2>
<p>According to Qatadah, this Surah is Madani. Two different views have been reported from Ibn Abbas: first that it is a Makki Surah, and second that it is Madani. But the majority of scholars regard it as a Makki revelation, a manifest symbol of which is the use of the words <em>hadh-al-balad-il-amin</em> (this city of peace) for Makkah. Obviously, if it had been revealed at Madinah, it would not be correct to use the words "this city" for Makkah Besides, a study of the contents of the Surah shows that it belongs to the earliest period of Makkah, for in it there is no sign whatever to indicate that during the period of its revelation any conflict had started between Islam and unbelief. Moreover, it reflects the same style of the earliest revelations of Makkah period in which briefly and succinctly the people have been made to realize that the judgment of the Hereafter is necessary and absolutely rational.</p>
<h2>Theme and Subject Matter</h2>
<p>Its theme is the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter. For this purpose first swearing an oath by the habitats of some illustrious Prophets, it has been stated that Allah has created man in the most excellent of molds. Although at other places in the Quran, this truth has been expressed in different ways, for example, at some places it has been said: "Allah appointed man His vicegerent on the earth and commanded the angels to bow down to him (Al-Baqarah: <a href=/2/30>30</a>,<a href=/2/34>34</a>, <a href=/6/165>Al-Anam: 165</a>, <a href=/7/11>Al-Araf: 11</a>, <a href=/15/28-29>Al-Hijr: 28-29</a>, <a href=/27/62>An-Naml: 62</a>, <a href=/38/71-73>Suad: 71-73</a>);" at others that: "Man has become bearer of the Divine trust, which the earth and the heavens and the mountains did not have the power to bear (<a href=/33/72>Al-Ahzab: 72</a>);" and at still others that: "We honored the children of Adam and exalted them above many of Our other creatures (Bani Israil 70)," yet here the statement made on oath in particular by the habitats of the Prophets that man has been created in the finest of molds, signifies that mankind has been
blessed with such an excellent mold and nature that it gave birth to men capable of attaining to the highest position of Prophethood, a higher position than which has not been attained by any other creature of God.</p>
<p>Then, it has been stated that there are two kinds of men. those who in spite of having been created in the finest of molds, become inclined to evil and their moral degeneration causes them to be reduced to the lowest of the low, and those who by adopting the way of faith and righteousness remain secure from the degeneration and consistent with the noble position, which is the necessary demand of their having been created in the best of molds. The existence among mankind of both these kinds of men is such a factual thing which no one can deny, for it is being observed and experienced in society everywhere at all times.</p>
<p>In conclusion, this factual reality has been used as an argument to prove that when among the people there are these two separate and quite distinct kinds, how can one deny the judgment and retribution for deeds If the morally degraded are not punished and the morally pure and exalted are not rewarded and both end in the dust alike, it would mean that there is no justice in the Kingdom of God; whereas human nature and common sense demand that a judge should do justice. How then can one conceive that Allah, Who is the most just of all judges, would not do justice?</p>

Verse by verse

Surah Al-Waqi'ah · The Inevitable

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. Ayah 1

    بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ

    When the Event inevitable cometh to pass,

  2. Ayah 2

    لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ

    Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.

  3. Ayah 3

    خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ

    (Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;

  4. Ayah 4

    إِذَا رُجَّتِ الْأَرْضُ رَجًّا

    When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,

  5. Ayah 5

    وَبُسَّتِ الْجِبَالُ بَسًّا

    And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,

  6. Ayah 6

    فَكَانَتْ هَبَاءً مُّنبَثًّا

    Becoming dust scattered abroad,

  7. Ayah 7

    وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً

    And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.

  8. Ayah 8

    فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ

    Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand;- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?

  9. Ayah 9

    وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ

    And the Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?

  10. Ayah 10

    وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ

    And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).

  11. Ayah 11

    أُولَـٰئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ

    These will be those Nearest to Allah:

  12. Ayah 12

    فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ

    In Gardens of Bliss:

  13. Ayah 13

    ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ

    A number of people from those of old,

  14. Ayah 14

    وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ

    And a few from those of later times.

  15. Ayah 15

    عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَّوْضُونَةٍ

    (They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),

  16. Ayah 16

    مُّتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَابِلِينَ

    Reclining on them, facing each other.

  17. Ayah 17

    يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ

    Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),

  18. Ayah 18

    بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ

    With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear-flowing fountains:

  19. Ayah 19

    لَّا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ

    No after-ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:

  20. Ayah 20

    وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ

    And with fruits, any that they may select:

  21. Ayah 21

    وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

    And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.

  22. Ayah 22

    وَحُورٌ عِينٌ

    And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,-

  23. Ayah 23

    كَأَمْثَالِ اللُّؤْلُؤِ الْمَكْنُونِ

    Like unto Pearls well-guarded.

  24. Ayah 24

    جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

    A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).

  25. Ayah 25

    لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا

    Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill,-

  26. Ayah 26

    إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَامًا سَلَامًا

    Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".

  27. Ayah 27

    وَأَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ

    The Companions of the Right Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?

  28. Ayah 28

    فِي سِدْرٍ مَّخْضُودٍ

    (They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns,

  29. Ayah 29

    وَطَلْحٍ مَّنضُودٍ

    Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another,-

  30. Ayah 30

    وَظِلٍّ مَّمْدُودٍ

    In shade long-extended,

  31. Ayah 31

    وَمَاءٍ مَّسْكُوبٍ

    By water flowing constantly,

  32. Ayah 32

    وَفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ

    And fruit in abundance.

  33. Ayah 33

    لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍ

    Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,

  34. Ayah 34

    وَفُرُشٍ مَّرْفُوعَةٍ

    And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.

  35. Ayah 35

    إِنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً

    We have created (their Companions) of special creation.

  36. Ayah 36

    فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا

    And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -

  37. Ayah 37

    عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا

    Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-

  38. Ayah 38

    لِّأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ

    For the Companions of the Right Hand.

  39. Ayah 39

    ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ

    A (goodly) number from those of old,

  40. Ayah 40

    وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ

    And a (goodly) number from those of later times.

  41. Ayah 41

    وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ

    The Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?

  42. Ayah 42

    فِي سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ

    (They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,

  43. Ayah 43

    وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ

    And in the shades of Black Smoke:

  44. Ayah 44

    لَّا بَارِدٍ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ

    Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:

  45. Ayah 45

    إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتْرَفِينَ

    For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),

  46. Ayah 46

    وَكَانُوا يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى الْحِنثِ الْعَظِيمِ

    And persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!

  47. Ayah 47

    وَكَانُوا يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ

    And they used to say, "What! when we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again?-

  48. Ayah 48

    أَوَآبَاؤُنَا الْأَوَّلُونَ

    "(We) and our fathers of old?"

  49. Ayah 49

    قُلْ إِنَّ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَالْآخِرِينَ

    Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,

  50. Ayah 50

    لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَاتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

    "All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well-known.

  51. Ayah 51

    ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا الضَّالُّونَ الْمُكَذِّبُونَ

    "Then will ye truly,- O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood!-

  52. Ayah 52

    لَآكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ

    "Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.

  53. Ayah 53

    فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ

    "Then will ye fill your insides therewith,

  54. Ayah 54

    فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ

    "And drink Boiling Water on top of it:

  55. Ayah 55

    فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ

    "Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"

  56. Ayah 56

    هَـٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ

    Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!

  57. Ayah 57

    نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ

    It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?

  58. Ayah 58

    أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ

    Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that ye throw out,-

  59. Ayah 59

    أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ

    Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators?

  60. Ayah 60

    نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

    We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated

  61. Ayah 61

    عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

    from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.

  62. Ayah 62

    وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

    And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?

  63. Ayah 63

    أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ

    See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?

  64. Ayah 64

    أَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ

    Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?

  65. Ayah 65

    لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ

    Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,

  66. Ayah 66

    إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ

    (Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):

  67. Ayah 67

    بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

    "Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"

  68. Ayah 68

    أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ

    See ye the water which ye drink?

  69. Ayah 69

    أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ

    Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?

  70. Ayah 70

    لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ

    Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?

  71. Ayah 71

    أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ

    See ye the Fire which ye kindle?

  72. Ayah 72

    أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ

    Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?

  73. Ayah 73

    نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَاهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَاعًا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ

    We have made it a memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.

  74. Ayah 74

    فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ

    Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!

  75. Ayah 75

    فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ

    Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars,-

  76. Ayah 76

    وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَّوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ

    And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew,-

  77. Ayah 77

    إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ

    That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,

  78. Ayah 78

    فِي كِتَابٍ مَّكْنُونٍ

    In Book well-guarded,

  79. Ayah 79

    لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ

    Which none shall touch but those who are clean:

  80. Ayah 80

    تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

    A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

  81. Ayah 81

    أَفَبِهَـٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ

    Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?

  82. Ayah 82

    وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ

    And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?

  83. Ayah 83

    فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ

    Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat,-

  84. Ayah 84

    وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ

    And ye the while (sit) looking on,-

  85. Ayah 85

    وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ

    But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not,-

  86. Ayah 86

    فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ

    Then why do ye not,- If you are exempt from (future) account,-

  87. Ayah 87

    تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

    Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?

  88. Ayah 88

    فَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

    Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah,

  89. Ayah 89

    فَرَوْحٌ وَرَيْحَانٌ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍ

    (There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.

  90. Ayah 90

    وَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ

    And if he be of the Companions of the Right Hand,

  91. Ayah 91

    فَسَلَامٌ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ

    (For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.

  92. Ayah 92

    وَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ الضَّالِّينَ

    And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,

  93. Ayah 93

    فَنُزُلٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ

    For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.

  94. Ayah 94

    وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ

    And burning in Hell-Fire.

  95. Ayah 95

    إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ

    Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.

  96. Ayah 96

    فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ

    So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.

About the Quran

The Quran

The Quran is the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe that it is the literal word of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) over a period of 23 years. The Quran is composed of 114 Surahs (chapters) and contains 6,236 Ayat (verses). Muslim beliefs and practices are based on the Quran and the Sunnah, the teachings and example of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

The Kaaba in Mecca
A mosque in South America

Meccan Surahs

The Meccan Surahs are the earliest revelations sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). They were revealed in Mecca, hence their name. These revelations form the foundation of the Islamic faith and contain guidance for Muslims on how to live their lives. The Meccan Surahs are also notable for their poetic beauty and lyrical prose.

Medinan Surahs

The Medinan Surahs are the later Surahs that, according to Islamic tradition, were revealed in Medina after the Prophet Muhammad's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) hijra from Mecca. They were revealed by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) when the Muslim community was larger and more developed, as opposed to their minority position in Mecca.

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