56: Al Waqi'ah, Meccan Period
This chapter, which has a sense of urgency to it when one hears it recited in Arabic – even if one doesn’t understand the language – explains more fully the Qur’anic concept of ‘sorting’ on Judgment Day. In other words, based upon what people do in this life, they will be among one of three categories: the ultra-righteous, the good, or the wicked. The latter two being personified with the idea of being on either the right or left side of a gathering. The fate of each is also mentioned in a concise yet compelling way.
In the Name of Allah,
the Compassionate Source of All Mercy.When the inevitable (Day of Judgment) comes to pass (1) - and there won’t be any way to deny it any further (2) - many are those who will be brought low and many are those who will be raised. (3) The earth will be shaken to its very core (4) and the mountains will crumble to dust (5) and be swept away. (6)
Then you’re going to be sorted into three groups. (7) (Some will be called) the Companions of the Right, and who will be Companions of the Right? (8) (Some will be called) the Companions of the Left, and who will be Companions of the Left? (9) While the foremost (in doing righteous deeds on earth) will be called the Outstanding Ones. (10)
The (Outstanding Ones) are going to be the closest (to God). (11) They’ll be among gardens of joy (12) - some (of them will be) from ancient days, (13) and a few will come from later times. [1] (14) (They’ll be resting) upon jeweled thrones, (15) watching each other as they recline; (16) served by ageless youths (17) with glasses, pitchers and cups filled from pure fountains (18) that cause neither hangovers nor drunkenness. [2] (19)
They’ll make their selections from every variety of fruit (20) and fowl, as they will, (21) and they’ll be joined with special companions who have large, expressive eyes, (22) resembling treasured pearls. (23) All a reward for their deeds (in their former lives). (24) Neither foolishness nor ill words will be heard, (25) only, “Peace. Peace.” (26)
Now the Companions of the Right – and just who will be the Companions of the Right? (27) (They’ll be) among lote-trees where there is neither thorn nor bramble, (28) amidst wildly flowering trees (29) that provide cool, expansive shade, [3] (30) near flowing brooks (31) and fruits of all kinds (32) which never go out of season nor diminish. [4] (33) (They’ll recline) in places of honor, (34) with specially created (companions) (35) who are virgin pure, (36) loving and of a similar age. (37) (All of this) for the Companions of the Right; (38) some from before, (39) and a few from later times. [5] (40)
The Unfortunate Ones
Now as for the Companions of the Left - just who will be the Companions of the Left? (41) (They’ll be living among) scorching blasts and scalding muck, (42) under the shade of choking, black smoke. (43) They’ll find neither refreshment nor enjoyment, (44) even as they were indulgent and living comfortably in their (former lives). (45) All the while they were greatly sinful! (46) They’re the ones who used to scoff, “What? After we’ve died and crumbled to dust, we’re going to be resurrected? (47) And our ancestors too? Ha!” (48)
Tell them, “Yes, indeed, your ancestors - and everyone else who came after! (49) All of you will be gathered together to stand on a well known Day! (50) Then all of you unjust deniers (51) will eat from the (cursed) Tree of Zaqqum, (52) - you’ll be stuffed with it! (53) and then you’ll finish (your meal) with scalding muck (54) - drinking like parched animals!” (55) This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment. (56)
Consider the Signs of God
We created you, so why won’t you accept the truth? (57) Have you ever thought about (the sperm and the ovum) that you throw out? (58) Did you create them or did We? (59) We ordained for all of you to die (one day,) and We won’t be held back (60) from changing you from one form into another that you can’t even comprehend. (61) You already witness the complexity of your first creation, so why won’t you accept this reminder? (62)
Have you ever thought about the seed you plant in the ground? (63) Do you make it grow or do We? (64) If We wanted to, We could crumble it to dust. Then you would cry in panic, (65) “We’ve gone into debt (for the sake of our farms,) (66) and now we’re ruined!” (67)
Have you ever thought about the water that you drink? (68) Do you bring it down from the clouds or do We? (69) If We wanted to, We could make it salty. So why don’t you appreciate? (70)
And what about the fire you produce? [6] (71) Do you grow the tress that feed the (flames,) or do We? (72) We sent down (the knowledge of how to control fire) as a reminder, both as a source of comfort, as well as a beacon for the wanderer, (73) so glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest! [7] (74)
This is a Message to be Taken Seriously
And so I swear the setting of the stars (75) - and that’s a mighty oath if you only knew (76) - that this Qur’an is an honorable one. (77) It’s (preserved) in a Protected Book (78) which no one can touch but the pure. [8] (79) (It’s no less) than revelation from the Lord of all the Worlds! (80)
But do you take its message lightly? (81) Have you made rejecting it your career? (82) (But if you’re so strong,) then why are you helpless when a person chokes (up his soul and dies,) (83) while all you can do is stand around and watch? (84) But We’re even closer to him than you, though you don’t see it. (85) And why, if you’re so safe from (any future) review, (86) is it impossible for you to bring the dead back to life, if you’re really so sure? (87)
And so, whoever is among those nearest (to God,) (88) there will be rest and satisfaction within gardens of delight. (89) Whoever is among the Companions of the Right: (90) “Peace be upon you,” from the Companions of the Right! (91) While whoever denied (the truth) and did wrong, (92) for them there is scalding muck (93) and roasting flames. (94) This is the certain truth, (95) so glorify the Name of your Lord, the Mighty! (96)
[1] When ‘Umar ibn al Khattab heard this last line, he went to the Prophet crying and said, “We have believed in you and in the truth of what you say, and despite this, only a few of us will be saved?” The Prophet explained that from Adam up until his own time is one number of people who will be saved, while after his own time until the Last Day is another number who will be saved. ‘Umar accepted this explanation gratefully.
[2] The beverages of Paradise will have all the pleasurable effects of alcoholic drinks here on earth, and even more, without the hangovers, headaches or nausea.
[3] The Prophet said, “In Paradise there is a tree under whose shade a rider can travel for a hundred years, and he still won’t be able to come out of it. Recite if you will, ‘that provide cool, expansive shade…’” (Bukhari)
[4] The Prophet led the people in prayer during a total eclipse of the sun. Afterwards some people came up to him and said, “Messenger of God, we saw you reaching out for something as you were standing there, and then you stepped away.” The Prophet replied, “I saw into Paradise and reached out for a cluster of fruit from it. If I would have gotten it, you could have kept eating from it for the remainder of the life of this world.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
[5] The Prophet said, “A group from my community will always remain on the truth and be dominant, and they won’t be harmed by those who fail to support them, or those who oppose them, until the Last Hour commences.” (Bukhari)
[6] The Prophet said, “The fire that the Children of Adam kindle is only one part out of seventy parts of the fire of Hell.” (Al Muwatta)
[7] When this verse was revealed, the Prophet ordered his followers to say it in their prayers whenever they bowed forward at the waist (a position called ruku). In Arabic it is: subhana rabbi il-owzeem. (Ahmad ibn Hanbal)
[8] The commentators have held that this verse requires a person to have ablution before touching the written text of the Arabic Qur’an. Ibn Kathir records a different reference for this verse in that the Quraysh chiefs used to say that the Qur’an was being brought to the Prophet by the hands of devils, whereas this verse rebutted them saying only those who are pure may touch it.
