Translations of the Qur'an, Chapter 56:

AL-WAQIA (THE EVENT, THE INEVITABLE)

Total Verses: 96
Revealed At: MAKKA
Maududi's introduction


In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

056.001
YUSUFALI: When the Event inevitable cometh to pass,
PICKTHAL: When the event befalleth -
SHAKIR: When the great event comes to pass,

056.002
YUSUFALI: Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
PICKTHAL: There is no denying that it will befall -
SHAKIR: There is no belying its coming to pass--

056.003
YUSUFALI: (Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;
PICKTHAL: Abasing (some), exalting (others);
SHAKIR: Abasing (one party), exalting (the other),

056.004
YUSUFALI: When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
PICKTHAL: When the earth is shaken with a shock
SHAKIR: When the earth shall be shaken with a (severe) shaking,

056.005
YUSUFALI: And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
PICKTHAL: And the hills are ground to powder
SHAKIR: And the mountains shall be made to crumble with (an awful) crumbling,

056.006
YUSUFALI: Becoming dust scattered abroad,
PICKTHAL: So that they become a scattered dust,
SHAKIR: So that they shall be as scattered dust.

056.007
YUSUFALI: And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
PICKTHAL: And ye will be three kinds:
SHAKIR: And you shall be three sorts.

056.008
YUSUFALI: Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand;- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
PICKTHAL: (First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?
SHAKIR: Then (as to) the companions of the right hand; how happy are the companions of the right hand!

056.009
YUSUFALI: And the Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
PICKTHAL: And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand?
SHAKIR: And (as to) the companions of the left hand; how wretched are the companions of the left hand!

056.010
YUSUFALI: And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
PICKTHAL: And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race:
SHAKIR: And the foremost are the foremost,

056.011
YUSUFALI: These will be those Nearest to Allah:
PICKTHAL: Those are they who will be brought nigh
SHAKIR: These are they who are drawn nigh (to Allah),

056.012
YUSUFALI: In Gardens of Bliss:
PICKTHAL: In gardens of delight;
SHAKIR: In the gardens of bliss.

056.013
YUSUFALI: A number of people from those of old,
PICKTHAL: A multitude of those of old
SHAKIR: A numerous company from among the first,

056.014
YUSUFALI: And a few from those of later times.
PICKTHAL: And a few of those of later time.
SHAKIR: And a few from among the latter.

056.015
YUSUFALI: (They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),
PICKTHAL: On lined couches,
SHAKIR: On thrones decorated,

056.016
YUSUFALI: Reclining on them, facing each other.
PICKTHAL: Reclining therein face to face.
SHAKIR: Reclining on them, facing one another.

056.017
YUSUFALI: Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
PICKTHAL: There wait on them immortal youths
SHAKIR: Round about them shall go youths never altering in age,

056.018
YUSUFALI: With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear-flowing fountains:
PICKTHAL: With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring
SHAKIR: With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink;

056.019
YUSUFALI: No after-ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
PICKTHAL: Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,
SHAKIR: They shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted,

056.020
YUSUFALI: And with fruits, any that they may select:
PICKTHAL: And fruit that they prefer
SHAKIR: And fruits such as they choose,

056.021
YUSUFALI: And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
PICKTHAL: And flesh of fowls that they desire.
SHAKIR: And the flesh of fowl such as they desire.

056.022
YUSUFALI: And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,-
PICKTHAL: And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,
SHAKIR: And pure, beautiful ones,

056.023
YUSUFALI: Like unto Pearls well-guarded.
PICKTHAL: Like unto hidden pearls,
SHAKIR: The like of the hidden pearls:

056.024
YUSUFALI: A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).
PICKTHAL: Reward for what they used to do.
SHAKIR: A reward for what they used to do.

056.025
YUSUFALI: Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill,-
PICKTHAL: There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination
SHAKIR: They shall not hear therein vain or sinful discourse,

056.026
YUSUFALI: Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".
PICKTHAL: (Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.
SHAKIR: Except the word peace, peace.

056.027
YUSUFALI: The Companions of the Right Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
PICKTHAL: And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?
SHAKIR: And the companions of the right hand; how happy are the companions of the right hand!

056.028
YUSUFALI: (They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns,
PICKTHAL: Among thornless lote-trees
SHAKIR: Amid thornless lote-trees,

056.029
YUSUFALI: Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another,-
PICKTHAL: And clustered plantains,
SHAKIR: And banana-trees (with fruits), one above another.

056.030
YUSUFALI: In shade long-extended,
PICKTHAL: And spreading shade,
SHAKIR: And extended shade,

056.031
YUSUFALI: By water flowing constantly,
PICKTHAL: And water gushing,
SHAKIR: And water flowing constantly,

056.032
YUSUFALI: And fruit in abundance.
PICKTHAL: And fruit in plenty
SHAKIR: And abundant fruit,

056.033
YUSUFALI: Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,
PICKTHAL: Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,
SHAKIR: Neither intercepted nor forbidden,

056.034
YUSUFALI: And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.
PICKTHAL: And raised couches;
SHAKIR: And exalted thrones.

056.035
YUSUFALI: We have created (their Companions) of special creation.
PICKTHAL: Lo! We have created them a (new) creation
SHAKIR: Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth,

056.036
YUSUFALI: And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -
PICKTHAL: And made them virgins,
SHAKIR: Then We have made them virgins,

056.037
YUSUFALI: Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-
PICKTHAL: Lovers, friends,
SHAKIR: Loving, equals in age,

056.038
YUSUFALI: For the Companions of the Right Hand.
PICKTHAL: For those on the right hand;
SHAKIR: For the sake of the companions of the right hand.

056.039
YUSUFALI: A (goodly) number from those of old,
PICKTHAL: A multitude of those of old
SHAKIR: A numerous company from among the first,

056.040
YUSUFALI: And a (goodly) number from those of later times.
PICKTHAL: And a multitude of those of later time.
SHAKIR: And a numerous company from among the last.

056.041
YUSUFALI: The Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
PICKTHAL: And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand?
SHAKIR: And those of the left hand, how wretched are those of the left hand!

056.042
YUSUFALI: (They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,
PICKTHAL: In scorching wind and scalding water
SHAKIR: In hot wind and boiling water,

056.043
YUSUFALI: And in the shades of Black Smoke:
PICKTHAL: And shadow of black smoke,
SHAKIR: And the shade of black smoke,

056.044
YUSUFALI: Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please:
PICKTHAL: Neither cool nor refreshing.
SHAKIR: Neither cool nor honorable.

056.045
YUSUFALI: For that they were wont to be indulged, before that, in wealth (and luxury),
PICKTHAL: Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury
SHAKIR: Surely they were before that made to live in ease and plenty.

056.046
YUSUFALI: And persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme!
PICKTHAL: And used to persist in the awful sin.
SHAKIR: And they persisted in the great violation.

056.047
YUSUFALI: And they used to say, "What! when we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up again?-
PICKTHAL: And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again,
SHAKIR: And they used to say: What! when we die and have become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised?

056.048
YUSUFALI: "(We) and our fathers of old?"
PICKTHAL: And also our forefathers?
SHAKIR: Or our fathers of yore?

056.049
YUSUFALI: Say: "Yea, those of old and those of later times,
PICKTHAL: Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time
SHAKIR: Say: The first and the last,

056.050
YUSUFALI: "All will certainly be gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well-known.
PICKTHAL: Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.
SHAKIR: Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day.

056.051
YUSUFALI: "Then will ye truly,- O ye that go wrong, and treat (Truth) as Falsehood!-
PICKTHAL: Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,
SHAKIR: Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie!

056.052
YUSUFALI: "Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum.
PICKTHAL: Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum
SHAKIR: Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom,

056.053
YUSUFALI: "Then will ye fill your insides therewith,
PICKTHAL: And will fill your bellies therewith;
SHAKIR: And fill (your) bellies with it;

056.054
YUSUFALI: "And drink Boiling Water on top of it:
PICKTHAL: And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,
SHAKIR: Then drink over it of boiling water;

056.055
YUSUFALI: "Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!"
PICKTHAL: Drinking even as the camel drinketh.
SHAKIR: And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.

056.056
YUSUFALI: Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!
PICKTHAL: This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.
SHAKIR: This is their entertainment on the day of requital.

056.057
YUSUFALI: It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth?
PICKTHAL: We created you. Will ye then admit the truth?
SHAKIR: We have created you, why do you not then assent?

056.058
YUSUFALI: Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that ye throw out,-
PICKTHAL: Have ye seen that which ye emit?
SHAKIR: Have you considered the seed?

056.059
YUSUFALI: Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators?
PICKTHAL: Do ye create it or are We the Creator?
SHAKIR: Is it you that create it or are We the creators?

056.060
YUSUFALI: We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated
PICKTHAL: We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,
SHAKIR: We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,

056.061
YUSUFALI: from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.
PICKTHAL: That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.
SHAKIR: In order that We may bring in your place the likes of you and make you grow into what you know not.

056.062
YUSUFALI: And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?
PICKTHAL: And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect?
SHAKIR: And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?

056.063
YUSUFALI: See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?
PICKTHAL: Have ye seen that which ye cultivate?
SHAKIR: Have you considered what you sow?

056.064
YUSUFALI: Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?
PICKTHAL: Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer?
SHAKIR: Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the causers of growth?

056.065
YUSUFALI: Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
PICKTHAL: If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:
SHAKIR: If We pleased, We should have certainly made it broken down into pieces, then would you begin tb lament:

056.066
YUSUFALI: (Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):
PICKTHAL: Lo! we are laden with debt!
SHAKIR: Surely we are burdened with debt:

056.067
YUSUFALI: "Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)"
PICKTHAL: Nay, but we are deprived!
SHAKIR: Nay! we are deprived.

056.068
YUSUFALI: See ye the water which ye drink?
PICKTHAL: Have ye observed the water which ye drink?
SHAKIR: Have you considered the water which you drink?

056.069
YUSUFALI: Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?
PICKTHAL: Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder?
SHAKIR: Is it you that send it down from the clouds, or are We the senders?

056.070
YUSUFALI: Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks?
PICKTHAL: If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks?
SHAKIR: If We pleased, We would have made it salty; why do you not then give thanks?

056.071
YUSUFALI: See ye the Fire which ye kindle?
PICKTHAL: Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out;
SHAKIR: Have you considered the fire which you strike?

056.072
YUSUFALI: Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
PICKTHAL: Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower?
SHAKIR: Is it you that produce the trees for it, or are We the producers?

056.073
YUSUFALI: We have made it a memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.
PICKTHAL: We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.
SHAKIR: We have made it a reminder and an advantage for the wayfarers of the desert.

056.074
YUSUFALI: Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!
PICKTHAL: Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.
SHAKIR: Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.

056.075
YUSUFALI: Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars,-
PICKTHAL: Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -
SHAKIR: But nay! I swear by the falling of stars;

056.076
YUSUFALI: And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if ye but knew,-
PICKTHAL: And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -
SHAKIR: And most surely it is a very great oath if you only knew;

056.077
YUSUFALI: That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,
PICKTHAL: That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an
SHAKIR: Most surely it is an honored Quran,

056.078
YUSUFALI: In Book well-guarded,
PICKTHAL: In a Book kept hidden
SHAKIR: In a book that is protected

056.079
YUSUFALI: Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
PICKTHAL: Which none toucheth save the purified,
SHAKIR: None shall touch it save the purified ones.

056.080
YUSUFALI: A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
PICKTHAL: A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
SHAKIR: A revelation by the Lord of the worlds.

056.081
YUSUFALI: Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?
PICKTHAL: Is it this Statement that ye scorn,
SHAKIR: Do you then hold this announcement in contempt?

056.082
YUSUFALI: And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false?
PICKTHAL: And make denial thereof your livelihood?
SHAKIR: And to give (it) the lie you make your means of subsistence.

056.083
YUSUFALI: Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat,-
PICKTHAL: Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)
SHAKIR: Why is it not then that when it (soul) comes up to the throat,

056.084
YUSUFALI: And ye the while (sit) looking on,-
PICKTHAL: And ye are at that moment looking
SHAKIR: And you at that time look on--

056.085
YUSUFALI: But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not,-
PICKTHAL: - And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -
SHAKIR: And We are nearer to it than you, but you do not see--

056.086
YUSUFALI: Then why do ye not,- If you are exempt from (future) account,-
PICKTHAL: Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),
SHAKIR: Then why is it not-- if you are not held under authority--

056.087
YUSUFALI: Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?
PICKTHAL: Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful?
SHAKIR: That you send it (not) back-- if you are truthful?

056.088
YUSUFALI: Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah,
PICKTHAL: Thus if he is of those brought nigh,
SHAKIR: Then if he is one of those drawn nigh (to Allah),

056.089
YUSUFALI: (There is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.
PICKTHAL: Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.
SHAKIR: Then happiness and bounty and a garden of bliss.

056.090
YUSUFALI: And if he be of the Companions of the Right Hand,
PICKTHAL: And if he is of those on the right hand,
SHAKIR: And if he is one of those on the right hand,

056.091
YUSUFALI: (For him is the salutation), "Peace be unto thee", from the Companions of the Right Hand.
PICKTHAL: Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.
SHAKIR: Then peace to you from those on the right hand.

056.092
YUSUFALI: And if he be of those who treat (Truth) as Falsehood, who go wrong,
PICKTHAL: But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,
SHAKIR: And if he is one of the rejecters, the erring ones,

056.093
YUSUFALI: For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water.
PICKTHAL: Then the welcome will be boiling water
SHAKIR: He shall have an entertainment of boiling water,

056.094
YUSUFALI: And burning in Hell-Fire.
PICKTHAL: And roasting at hell-fire.
SHAKIR: And burning in hell.

056.095
YUSUFALI: Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
PICKTHAL: Lo! this is certain truth.
SHAKIR: Most surely this is a certain truth.

056.096
YUSUFALI: So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.
PICKTHAL: Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.
SHAKIR: Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.


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