الواقعة
Surah Al-Waqi’ah
The Inevitable · Surah 56 · Meccan · 96 verses
1إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلۡوَاقِعَةُ ١When the event befalleth.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “al-waqi‘ah” means an event certain to happen; it became one of the names of the Hour because its future occurrence is certain.2لَيۡسَ لِوَقۡعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ ٢There is no denying that it will befall.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “wuqu‘” means falling, and “waq‘ah” a violent fall, which came to mean a great event that strikes. When the Hour comes, no one will remain to deny it.3خَافِضَةࣱ رَّافِعَةٌ ٣Abasing (some), exalting (others).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, great events, like the upheavals and revolutions that topple states, humble the mighty and raise the humble; so too the Hour will bring some down and raise others.4إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ رَجࣰّا ٤When the earth is shaken with a shock.InsightElmalılı explains “rajj” as earthquake, violent motion and shaking, like the Turkish saying “the world was shaken from its place”.5وَبُسَّتِ ٱلۡجِبَالُ بَسࣰّا ٥And the hills are ground to powder.6فَكَانَتۡ هَبَآءࣰ مُّنۢبَثࣰّا ٦So that they become a scattered dust.7وَكُنتُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجࣰا ثَلَٰثَةࣰ ٧And ye will be three kinds.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the address may be to all mankind, but, as some commentators prefer, it is more fitting that it is to this community.8فَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ ٨(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand.InsightElmalılı explains “maymanah” as the right side and blessing: since the right is the place of honour in gatherings, these are people of high standing and of blessing.9وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ ٩And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand.InsightElmalılı explains “mash’amah” as the left side and ill omen: those in a low position, or whose ill fortune touches themselves and those close to them.10وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ١٠And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, these are those who outpaced others in servanthood, faith and the race for good: the prophets, the man of Ya-Sin, the believer of Pharaoh’s family, and the first Emigrants and Helpers.11أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ ١١Those are they who will be brought nigh.12فِي جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ١٢In gardens of delight.13ثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ١٣A multitude of those of old.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, it is fitting that most of the foremost come from the earlier ones; indeed the first of them are the Companions.14وَقَلِيلࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ ١٤And a few of those of later time.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, if the address is to this community, it is clear that the foremost among later generations are few.15عَلَىٰ سُرُرࣲ مَّوۡضُونَةࣲ ١٥On lined couches.InsightElmalılı explains “mawdunah” as inlaid with gold, pearls and rubies, or set close together in neat rows.16مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيۡهَا مُتَقَٰبِلِينَ ١٦Reclining therein face to face.17يَطُوفُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وِلۡدَٰنࣱ مُّخَلَّدُونَ ١٧There wait on them immortal youths.18بِأَكۡوَابࣲ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأۡسࣲ مِّن مَّعِينࣲ ١٨With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring.19لَّا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنۡهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ ١٩Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the drink of Paradise does not cause headaches, scatter gatherings or cut off pleasure; it does not take away the mind, does not intoxicate and never runs out.20وَفَٰكِهَةࣲ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ ٢٠And fruit that they prefer.21وَلَحۡمِ طَيۡرࣲ مِّمَّا يَشۡتَهُونَ ٢١And flesh of fowls that they desire.22وَحُورٌ عِينࣱ ٢٢And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes.23كَأَمۡثَٰلِ ٱللُّؤۡلُوِٕ ٱلۡمَكۡنُونِ ٢٣Like unto hidden pearls.24جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٢٤Reward for what they used to do.25لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغۡوࣰا وَلَا تَأۡثِيمًا ٢٥There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, in Paradise there is no empty, meaningless or ugly talk, nor any accusation of “you have sinned”.26إِلَّا قِيلࣰا سَلَٰمࣰا سَلَٰمࣰا ٢٦(Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.27وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡيَمِينِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡيَمِينِ ٢٧And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, they are called “companions of the right” because on the Day of Judgement their record of deeds will be given in their right hands.28فِي سِدۡرࣲ مَّخۡضُودࣲ ٢٨Among thornless lote-trees.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the lote tree of Arabia is thorny; “makhdud” means its thorns are removed: the lote tree of Paradise has no thorns.29وَطَلۡحࣲ مَّنضُودࣲ ٢٩And clustered plantains.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “talh” is the banana with fruit stacked from bottom to top, or a tree like the banana whose fruit is sweeter than honey.30وَظِلࣲّ مَّمۡدُودࣲ ٣٠And spreading shade.31وَمَآءࣲ مَّسۡكُوبࣲ ٣١And water gushing.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is flowing water pouring from on high, running wherever they wish without buckets or wheels. Paradise is described by the delights people most long for.32وَفَٰكِهَةࣲ كَثِيرَةࣲ ٣٢And fruit in plenty.33لَّا مَقۡطُوعَةࣲ وَلَا مَمۡنُوعَةࣲ ٣٣Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden.34وَفُرُشࣲ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ ٣٤And raised couches.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, Abu ‘Ubaydah said that “couches” here means wives, and “raised” means spiritual elevation, high worth.35إِنَّآ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُنَّ إِنشَآءࣰ ٣٥Lo! We have created them a (new) creation.InsightElmalılı relates that the Prophet said of this verse: these women created anew are those who grew old and wrinkled in the world.36فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُنَّ أَبۡكَارًا ٣٦And made them virgins.37عُرُبًا أَتۡرَابࣰا ٣٧Lovers, friends.InsightElmalılı explains “‘urub” in three ways: deeply loving their spouses, charming, and sweet of speech. For him, beautiful speech is one of the finest causes of love.38لِّأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ ٣٨For those on the right hand.39ثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٣٩A multitude of those of old.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, unlike the foremost, the people of the right are not few; many from both earlier and later generations are in this group.40وَثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ ٤٠And a multitude of those of later time.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the people of the right are many from both earlier and later generations; this is great good news for those who come later.41وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ ٤١And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand.42فِي سَمُومࣲ وَحَمِيمࣲ ٤٢In scorching wind and scalding water.43وَظِلࣲّ مِّن يَحۡمُومࣲ ٤٣And shadow of black smoke.InsightElmalılı explains “yahmum” as jet black like coal, pitch, black smoke. It is called “shade” rather than darkness in mockery.44لَّا بَارِدࣲ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ ٤٤Neither cool nor refreshing.45إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَبۡلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتۡرَفِينَ ٤٥Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury.46وَكَانُواْ يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى ٱلۡحِنثِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ٤٦And used to persist in the awful sin.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, most commentators explain “al-hinth al-‘azim” as the great sin, since associating partners with Allah is the greatest wrong. “Hinth” also means breaking an oath.47وَكَانُواْ يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابࣰا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ ٤٧And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this shows the subtle point of calling idolatry “breaking an oath”: they were liars who did not honour oaths or keep their word.48أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ ٤٨And also our forefathers.49قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ ٤٩Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time.50لَمَجۡمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَٰتِ يَوۡمࣲ مَّعۡلُومࣲ ٥٠Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.InsightElmalılı explains “miqat” as the limit that fixes a thing’s time; the Hour is called so because it sets the term of the world.51ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمۡ أَيُّهَا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبُونَ ٥١Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers.52لَأٓكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرࣲ مِّن زَقُّومࣲ ٥٢Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum.53فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنۡهَا ٱلۡبُطُونَ ٥٣And will fill your bellies therewith.54فَشَٰرِبُونَ عَلَيۡهِ مِنَ ٱلۡحَمِيمِ ٥٤And thereon ye will drink of boiling water.55فَشَٰرِبُونَ شُرۡبَ ٱلۡهِيمِ ٥٥Drinking even as the camel drinketh.InsightElmalılı explains “him” as camels struck with “huyam”, a thirst disease: they drink and drink but are never quenched. So too they will drink scalding water without being quenched.56هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلدِّينِ ٥٦This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.InsightElmalılı explains “nuzul” as the first offering made to a guest: if their first hospitality is this, think how painful the rest will be.57نَحۡنُ خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ فَلَوۡلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ ٥٧We created you. Will ye then admit the truth.58أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تُمۡنُونَ ٥٨Have ye seen that which ye emit.59ءَأَنتُمۡ تَخۡلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُونَ ٥٩Do ye create it or are We the Creator.60نَحۡنُ قَدَّرۡنَا بَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَسۡبُوقِينَ ٦٠We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, Allah appointed a time for each and decreed death with certainty; no one can overcome Him or hinder His will.61عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمۡثَٰلَكُمۡ وَنُنشِئَكُمۡ فِي مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٦١That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the commentators give several views here; “amthal” may mean likenesses or attributes.62وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُمُ ٱلنَّشۡأَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ فَلَوۡلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ٦٢And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, man knows, from observation and from the Qur’an, how he was created stage by stage from earth, drop, clot and lump; so he should reflect on the second creation too.63أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَحۡرُثُونَ ٦٣Have ye seen that which ye cultivate.64ءَأَنتُمۡ تَزۡرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلزَّـٰرِعُونَ ٦٤Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer.InsightElmalılı relates from al-Qurtubi: it is recommended that one who sows recite this verse and say: “It is Allah who makes the crop grow and ripen.”65لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ حُطَٰمࣰا فَظَلۡتُمۡ تَفَكَّهُونَ ٦٥If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim.InsightElmalılı explains “hutam” as crumbled dry matter, chaff and straw; “tafakkuh” is lamenting in astonishment and regret.66إِنَّا لَمُغۡرَمُونَ ٦٦Lo! we are laden with debt.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this means: “Our seeds are lost, our spending wasted, we are in debt”, or “We are ruined.”67بَلۡ نَحۡنُ مَحۡرُومُونَ ٦٧Nay, but we are deprived.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this means: “What we sowed is ruined and we are deprived of food too”; the sayings are like a dialogue of people answering each other.68أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱلَّذِي تَشۡرَبُونَ ٦٨Have ye observed the water which ye drink.69ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنزَلۡتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُزۡنِ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنزِلُونَ ٦٩Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder.70لَوۡ نَشَآءُ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ أُجَاجࣰا فَلَوۡلَا تَشۡكُرُونَ ٧٠If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, since water is more vital than food the emphasis here differs; if Allah willed, He could make rain too bitter to drink.71أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِي تُورُونَ ٧١Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is fire struck by friction; a fire of electricity produced by rubbing and contact.72ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنشَأۡتُمۡ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنشِـُٔونَ ٧٢Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is the markh and ‘afar trees the Arabs struck fire from; but this meaning is in every tree, in flint and in everything that produces electricity.73نَحۡنُ جَعَلۡنَٰهَا تَذۡكِرَةࣰ وَمَتَٰعࣰا لِّلۡمُقۡوِينَ ٧٣We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, fire is a blessing on which livelihood depends, a reminder of the fire of Hell, and a benefit for those camping in the desert.74فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ٧٤Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the Lord who gives these blessings is very great and free of partners and flaws. So one should glorify Him, saying “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great”, or pray.75۞فَلَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِمَوَٰقِعِ ٱلنُّجُومِ ٧٥Nay, I swear by the places of the stars.76وَإِنَّهُۥ لَقَسَمࣱ لَّوۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ ٧٦And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew.77إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرۡءَانࣱ كَرِيمࣱ ٧٧That (this) is indeed a noble Qur’an.InsightElmalılı explains “karim” in three ways: very beneficial, containing the foundations of knowledge for this world and the next; very beautiful and worthy of respect; and honoured with Allah.78فِي كِتَٰبࣲ مَّكۡنُونࣲ ٧٨In a Book kept hidden.InsightElmalılı explains “maknun” as kept hidden so as not to be soiled or lost, guarded in covers; copies of the Qur’an too should be kept like this.79لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ ٧٩Which none toucheth save the purified.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this negation has the force of a prohibition: only believers cleansed of physical and spiritual impurity, in a state of ablution, should touch it. Fiqh forbids touching the Qur’an while in major impurity because of this verse.80تَنزِيلࣱ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٨٠A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.81أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدۡهِنُونَ ٨١Is it this Statement that ye scorn.82وَتَجۡعَلُونَ رِزۡقَكُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ تُكَذِّبُونَ ٨٢And make denial thereof your livelihood.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this means: “Will you make your share of that Book denial and ingratitude?” Disrespecting it instead of benefiting from it is losing one’s share.83فَلَوۡلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلۡحُلۡقُومَ ٨٣Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is a challenge to show the deniers their helplessness: when the soul reaches the throat, what can you do?84وَأَنتُمۡ حِينَئِذࣲ تَنظُرُونَ ٨٤And ye are at that moment looking.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, those at the bedside of the dying see the death throes, but can do nothing to save them and stand helpless, watching.85وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبۡصِرُونَ ٨٥And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, Allah is nearer to the dying in every way, in knowledge, power and control; you know only the outward signs and cannot know the inner reality.86فَلَوۡلَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ غَيۡرَ مَدِينِينَ ٨٦Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us).87تَرۡجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٨٧Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is a challenge: if you are truthful in refusing Allah’s religion and His oneness, then bring the soul back.88فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ ٨٨Thus if he is of those brought nigh.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, these are the foremost, the first of the three groups mentioned at the start of the surah, named by their highest quality: “those brought near”.89فَرَوۡحࣱ وَرَيۡحَانࣱ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمࣲ ٨٩Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.InsightElmalılı explains “rawh” as rest, mercy, relief and eternal life; “rayhan” as fine provision; and “the garden of bliss” as a garden of blessing and happiness without sorrow.90وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ ٩٠And if he is of those on the right hand.91فَسَلَٰمࣱ لَّكَ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ ٩١Then (the greeting) “Peace be unto thee” from those on the right hand.92وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٩٢But if he is of the rejecters, the erring.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, these are the companions of the left; the description “astray” reveals their true state.93فَنُزُلࣱ مِّنۡ حَمِيمࣲ ٩٣Then the welcome will be boiling water.94وَتَصۡلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ ٩٤And roasting at hell-fire.95إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلۡيَقِينِ ٩٥Lo! this is certain truth.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is not only certainty by knowledge (‘ilm al-yaqin) or by sight (‘ayn al-yaqin), but certainty by experience (haqq al-yaqin); they will remain within it.96فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ٩٦Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.