The Event

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

[56:1]

When the event befalleth -

[56:2]

There is no denying that it will befall -

[56:3]

Abasing (some), exalting (others);

[56:4]

When the earth is shaken with a shock

[56:5]

And the hills are ground to powder

[56:6]

So that they become a scattered dust,

[56:7]

And ye will be three kinds:

[56:8]

(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand ?

[56:9]

And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand ?

[56:10]

And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race:

[56:11]

Those are they who will be brought nigh

[56:12]

In gardens of delight;

[56:13]

A multitude of those of old

[56:14]

And a few of those of later time.

[56:15]

On lined couches,

[56:16]

Reclining therein face to face.

[56:17]

There wait on them immortal youths

[56:18]

With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring

[56:19]

Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,

[56:20]

And fruit that they prefer

[56:21]

And flesh of fowls that they desire.

[56:22]

And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,

[56:23]

Like unto hidden pearls,

[56:24]

Reward for what they used to do.

[56:25]

There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination

[56:26]

(Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.

[56:27]

And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand ?

[56:28]

Among thornless lote-trees

[56:29]

And clustered plantains,

[56:30]

And spreading shade,

[56:31]

And water gushing,

[56:32]

And fruit in plenty

[56:33]

Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,

[56:34]

And raised couches;

[56:35]

Lo! We have created them a (new) creation

[56:36]

And made them virgins,

[56:37]

Lovers, friends,

[56:38]

For those on the right hand;

[56:39]

A multitude of those of old

[56:40]

And a multitude of those of later time.

[56:41]

And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand ?

[56:42]

In scorching wind and scalding water

[56:43]

And shadow of black smoke,

[56:44]

Neither cool nor refreshing.

[56:45]

Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury

[56:46]

And used to persist in the awful sin.

[56:47]

And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again,

[56:48]

And also our forefathers ?

[56:49]

Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time

[56:50]

Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.

[56:51]

Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,

[56:52]

Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum

[56:53]

And will fill your bellies therewith;

[56:54]

And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,

[56:55]

Drinking even as the camel drinketh.

[56:56]

This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.

[56:57]

We created you. Will ye then admit the truth ?

[56:58]

Have ye seen that which ye emit ?

[56:59]

Do ye create it or are We the Creator ?

[56:60]

We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,

[56:61]

That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.

[56:62]

And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect ?

[56:63]

Have ye seen that which ye cultivate ?

[56:64]

Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer ?

[56:65]

If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:

[56:66]

Lo! we are laden with debt!

[56:67]

Nay, but we are deprived!

[56:68]

Have ye observed the water which ye drink ?

[56:69]

Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder ?

[56:70]

If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks ?

[56:71]

Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out;

[56:72]

Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower ?

[56:73]

We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.

[56:74]

Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.

[56:75]

Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -

[56:76]

And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -

[56:77]

That (this) is indeed a noble Qur’an

[56:78]

In a Book kept hidden

[56:79]

Which none toucheth save the purified,

[56:80]

A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

[56:81]

Is it this Statement that ye scorn,

[56:82]

And make denial thereof your livelihood ?

[56:83]

Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)

[56:84]

And ye are at that moment looking

[56:85]

- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -

[56:86]

Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),

[56:87]

Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful ?

[56:88]

Thus if he is of those brought nigh,

[56:89]

Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.

[56:90]

And if he is of those on the right hand,

[56:91]

Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.

[56:92]

But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,

[56:93]

Then the welcome will be boiling water

[56:94]

And roasting at hell-fire.

[56:95]

Lo! this is certain truth.

[56:96]

Therefor Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.