Sūrah 56
Sūrah al-Wāqi‘ah
Introduction
This is an independent sūrah on which the Makkan sūrahs of this chapter end. It contains a summary of all the discussion regarding reward and punishment found in the six previous sūrahs (Sūrah Qāf to Sūrah al-Raḥmān). In these sūrahs, a day of reward and punishment is substantiated on the basis of human nature and intellect, the world around a person and that within him and the manifestation of God’s worldly Judgement throughout the history of mankind. The last of this series of sūrahs is Sūrah al-Raḥmān in which besides the above motifs the subject of giving glad tidings and delivering warnings has also become fully evident. It is this topic which reaches its culmination with all its details in the present sūrah. In this respect, this sūrah is a supplement to the previous ones.
The addressees are the arrogant among the Quraysh who are warned that the Day of Judgement is certain to come. It shall manifest come what may. People will then necessarily be raised to life in a new world where the yardstick of respect and humiliation will have changed. Honour and success in that world will belong to the sābiqūn (the foremost) and the aṣḥāb al-yamīn (companions of the right hand), whereas for the arrogant aṣḥāb al-shimāl (companions of the left hand), there will be the eternal punishment of Hell.
It is evident from its topic that this sūrah was revealed in Makkah in the phase of open warning (indhār-i ‘ām) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
They should remember the day when that which is to happen shall happen. There is absolutely no falsehood in its happening. It is one which relegates and elevates; on the day, when the earth will be totally rattled, and the mountains will be totally crushed to pieces such that they will become dispersed dust and on that day, you will be divided into three groups.
Then one group will be of the companions of the right hand. So, what to speak of the companions of the right hand! The second group will be of the companions of the left hand. So, what humiliation will befall the companions of the left hand! And the foremost are in fact the foremost. It is they who will be the favoured ones, living in orchards of delight: many among them will be from the earlier generations and a few from the later ones. They will recline on jewelled couches face to face. Boys who will always remain boys will run around them to serve them with bowls and ewers and cups of pure wine that will neither make their heads spin nor take away their sanity, and will present them fruits of their own choice and meat of the birds they desire. And for them will be large-eyed fair women like hidden pearls: a reward for the deeds they used to do. There they will hear no absurd talk and no allegations of sin – only greetings and congratulations everywhere.
And as for the companions of the right hand – what to speak of the companions of the right hand! Among thornless lote-trees, clusters of bananas and vast shades amidst gushing waters and everlasting abundant fruits, whose trees will never stop bearing fruit, and bedding raised high [where their wives will be]. We would have raised them in a unique manner and would have made them virgins, enchanting and of the same age. All this will be for the companions of the right hand. Among them will be many from later generations and also many from the earlier ones.
As for the companions of the left hand, what a horrible fate will befall them! They will be amidst scorching winds and seething water and in the shade of smoke that will neither be cool nor give any benefit – Before this, they were among the well-off and would be adamant on the greatest sin. They used to say: “When we die and turn to dust and bones, will we be raised to life again? And our forefathers too who lived before us?”
Tell them: Certainly, those of the old and those of the present age are all being gathered until the prescribed time of an appointed day. Then O you astray ones and rejecters! You shall surely eat from the tree of zaqqūm and only with it will you fill your bellies. Then upon this you will drink scalding water like thirsty camels – this will be the first feast [of these wretched people] on the Day of Reckoning.
We have created you. So, why do not you testify [to the Day of Judgement]? Then have you ever pondered on this sperm you discharge? What is made from it, do you make it or We? We have ordained death among you, and We are not helpless; in fact, We have the full power to replace you with those like you and raise you in a world you know not. You do know of your first creation. Why then do you not receive a reminder?
Then have you reflected on what you sow? Is it you who make it grow or We? If We intend, We can crush it into bits and you would end up bewildered: “We have been penalized on the contrary; no, in fact, we have been completely deprived!”
Then have you ever thought about this water which you drink! Have you brought it down from the clouds or is it We Who send it down? If We desire, We can turn it totally bitter; so, why are you not grateful?
Then have you ever thought about this fire which you light. Have you created its tree or are We its Creators? We made it a means of reminding, and for the travellers a very beneficial thing.
So, [leave them O Prophet and] glorify your great Lord with the help of His name.
[They deny the Qur’ān.] So no! [This has not been inspired by some devil.] I present as witness the abodes where stars fall, and if you understand this surely is a very great witness. Undoubtedly, this is a glorious Qur’ān in a protected book. None touch it except the [angels] pure; it has been revealed from the Lord of the Universe. So, do you show indifference to this discourse and refute what is [God’s] sustenance for you?
So if you are subservient to no one, then at the time when a dying person’s soul reaches his throat and at that time you are seeing this but do not see that We are nearer to him than you. So, if you are not subservient, then why do you not restore his [departing] soul, if you are truthful?
Thus, [bear in mind,] if the deceased is from among the favoured ones, for him is bliss and ecstasy and an orchard of delight. And if he is from among the companions of the right hand, then the angels say: “Peace be to you O one who is from among the companions of the right hand.” And if he is from those who have denied and gone astray, then for him is the feast of scalding water and entry to Hell.
Most certainly this only is the absolute truth. So, [O Prophet! Leave them and] glorify your great Lord with the help of His name.