AL WAQI’AH (The Inevitable)
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1 When the inevitable comes to pass,
2 Then will no one entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
3 It will bring low; it will exalt;
4 When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
5 And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
6 Becoming dust scattered abroad,
7 And you shall be sorted out into three classes.
8 The companions of the right hand; what will be the companions of the right hand?
9 And the companions of the left hand, what will be the companions of the left hand?
10 And those foremost will be foremost.
11 These will be those nearest to Allah:
12 In gardens of bliss:
13 A number of people from those of old,
14 And a few from those of later times.
15 On thrones encrusted,
16 Reclining on them, facing each other.
17 Waiting on them will be immortal youths,
18 With goblets, beakers, and cups from clear flowing fountains:
19 No headache will they receive from it, nor will they suffer intoxication:
20 And with fruits, any that they may select;
21 And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
22 And companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,
23 Like pearls well guarded.
24 A reward for the deeds of their past.
25 No frivolity will they hear in it, nor any taint of ill,
26 Only the saying, Peace! Peace.
27 The companions of the right hand, what will be the companions of the right hand?
28 Among lote trees without thorns,
29 Among fruit trees with flowers piled one above another,
30 In shade long extended,
31 By water flowing constantly,
32 And fruit in abundance.
33 Whose season is not limited, nor forbidden,
34 And on thrones raised high.
35 We have created a special creation.
36 And made pure virgins,
37 Beloved, equal in age,
38 For the companions of the right hand.
39 A number from those of old,
40 And a number from those of later times.
41 The companions of the left hand, what will be the companions of the left hand?
42 In the midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water,
43 And in the shades of black smoke:
44 Nothing to refresh, nor to please:
45 For that they used to indulge in wealth,
46 And persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
47 And they used to say, What! When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again?
48 And our fathers of old?
49 Say: Yes, those of old and those of later times,
50 All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a day well known.
51 Then will you truly, O you that go wrong, and treat truth as falsehood!
52 You will surely taste of the tree of Zaqqum.
53 Then will you fill your insides therewith,
54 And drink boiling water on top of it:
55 Indeed you shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!
56 Such will be their entertainment on the day of judgment!
57 It is we who have created you: why will you not witness the truth?
58 Do you then see? What you throw out,
59 Is it you who create it, or are we the creators?
60 We have decreed death to be your common lot, and we are not to be frustrated
61 From changing your forms and creating you as what you know not.
62 And you certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do you not celebrate his praises?
63 Do you see the seed that you sow in the ground?
64 Is it you that cause it to grow, or are we the cause?
65 Were it our will, we could crumble it to dry powder, and you would be left in wonderment,
66 We are indeed left with debts,
67 Indeed we are shut out.
68 Do you see the water which you drink?
69 Do you bring it down from the cloud or do we?
70 Were it our will, we could make it salt: then why do you not give thanks?
71 Do you see the fire which you kindle?
72 Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do we grow it?
73 We have made it a memorial, and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
74 Then celebrate with praises the name of your Lord, the supreme!
75 Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the stars,
76 And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if you but knew,
77 That this is indeed a Quran most honourable,
78 In a book well guarded,
79 Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
80 A revelation from the Lord of the universe.
81 Is it such a message that you would hold in light esteem?
82 And have you made it your livelihood that you should declare it false?
83 Then why do you not when it reaches the throat,
84 And while you are looking on,
85 But we are nearer to him than you, and yet you don’t see,
86 Then why do you not, if you are exempt from account,
87 Call back the soul, if you are true?
88 Thus, then, if he be of those nearest to Allah,
89 Rest and satisfaction, and a garden of delights.
90 And if he be of the companions of the right hand,
91 Peace be to you, from the companions of the right hand.
92 And if he be of those who treat truth as falsehood, who go wrong,
93 For him is entertainment with boiling water,
94 And burning in hell fire.
95 Truly, this is the very truth and certainty.
96 So celebrate with praises the name of your Lord, the supreme.