Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Inevitable) depicts the reality of the Day of Judgment, categorizing humanity into three groups: the foremost in faith, the companions of the right, and the companions of the left. It provides vivid descriptions of the rewards and punishments of each group. The chapter directs attention to the signs of God's power in human creation, water, fire, and agricultural growth, demanding glorification of the Lord's name.
Transliteration
Itha waqaAAati alwaqiAAatu
Translation
When the inevitable occurs
Names the Day of Judgment 'Al-Waqi'ah'—the decisive event whose occurrence is an inescapable divine certainty.
Transliteration
Laysa liwaqAAatiha kathibatun
Translation
Of its occurrence, there is no denial
Declares that on that Day, all skepticism, doubt, and philosophical denials will instantly vanish before objective physical reality.
Transliteration
Khafidatun rafiAAatun
Translation
Bringing low, raising high
Defines the ultimate inversion of status on Judgment Day: it humbles and lowers arrogant tyrants, corrupt billionaires, and false idols, while elevating humble, righteous, and oppressed believers to supreme honor.
Transliteration
Itha rujjati alardu rajjan
Translation
When the earth is shaken with a shock
Transliteration
Wabussati aljibalu bassan
Translation
And the mountains are crushed and crumbled
Transliteration
Fakanat habaan munbaththan
Translation
And they become scattered dust
Transliteration
Wakuntum azwajan thalathatan
Translation
And you become three classes
Introduces the definitive threefold division of humanity on the Day of Judgment: The Companions of the Right (the general righteous), The Companions of the Left (the wicked deniers), and 'As-Sabiqun'—the elite spiritual pioneers who raced ahead in virtue and stand nearest to God.
Transliteration
Faashabu almaymanati ma ashabu almaymanati
Translation
Those on the Right—what of those on the Right
Transliteration
Waashabu almashamati ma ashabu almashamati
Translation
And those on the Left—what of those on the Left
Transliteration
Waalssabiqoona alssabiqoona
Translation
And the forerunners, the forerunners
Transliteration
Olaika almuqarraboona
Translation
Those are the nearest
Transliteration
Fee jannati alnnaAAeemi
Translation
In the Gardens of Bliss
Transliteration
Thullatun mina alawwaleena
Translation
A throng from the ancients
Transliteration
Waqaleelun mina alakhireena
Translation
And a small band from the latecomers
Transliteration
AAala sururin mawdoonatin
Translation
On luxurious furnishings
Transliteration
Muttakieena AAalayha mutaqabileena
Translation
Reclining on them, facing one another
Transliteration
Yatoofu AAalayhim wildanun mukhalladoona
Translation
Serving them will be immortalized youth
Transliteration
Biakwabin waabareeqa wakasin min maAAeenin
Translation
With cups, pitchers, and sparkling drinks
Transliteration
La yusaddaAAoona AAanha wala yunzifoona
Translation
Causing them neither headache, nor intoxication
Transliteration
Wafakihatin mimma yatakhayyaroona
Translation
And fruits of their choice
Transliteration
Walahmi tayrin mimma yashtahoona
Translation
And meat of birds that they may desire
Transliteration
Wahoorun AAeenun
Translation
And lovely companions
Transliteration
Kaamthali allului almaknooni
Translation
The likenesses of treasured pearls
Transliteration
Jazaan bima kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
As a reward for what they used to do
Transliteration
La yasmaAAoona feeha laghwan wala tatheeman
Translation
Therein they will hear no nonsense, and no accusations
Defines the peaceful psychological atmosphere of Paradise: inhabitants will never hear toxic gossip, slander, vulgar language, or arguments; every conversation and greeting radiates pure peace, dignity, and joy ('Salama, Salama').
Transliteration
Illa qeelan salaman salaman
Translation
But only the greeting: “Peace, peace.”
Transliteration
Waashabu alyameeni ma ashabu alyameeni
Translation
And those on the Right—what of those on the Right
Transliteration
Fee sidrin makhdoodin
Translation
In lush orchards
Transliteration
Watalhin mandoodin
Translation
And sweet-smelling plants
Transliteration
Wathillin mamdoodin
Translation
And extended shade
Transliteration
Wamain maskoobin
Translation
And outpouring water
Transliteration
Wafakihatin katheeratin
Translation
And abundant fruit
Transliteration
La maqtooAAatin wala mamnooAAatin
Translation
Neither withheld, nor forbidden
Transliteration
Wafurushin marfooAAatin
Translation
And uplifted mattresses
Transliteration
Inna anshanahunna inshaan
Translation
We have created them of special creation
Transliteration
FajaAAalnahunna abkaran
Translation
And made them virgins
Transliteration
AAuruban atraban
Translation
Tender and un-aging
Transliteration
Liashabi alyameeni
Translation
For those on the Right
Transliteration
Thullatun mina alawwaleena
Translation
A throng from the ancients
Transliteration
Wathullatun mina alakhireena
Translation
And a throng from the latecomers
Transliteration
Waashabu alshshimali ma ashabu alshshimali
Translation
And those on the Left—what of those on the Left
Transliteration
Fee samoomin wahameemin
Translation
Amid searing wind and boiling water
Transliteration
Wathillin min yahmoomin
Translation
And a shadow of thick smoke
Transliteration
La baridin wala kareemin
Translation
Neither cool, nor refreshing
Transliteration
Innahum kanoo qabla thalika mutrafeena
Translation
They had lived before that in luxury
Transliteration
Wakanoo yusirroona AAala alhinthi alAAatheemi
Translation
And they used to persist in immense wrongdoing
Transliteration
Wakanoo yaqooloona aitha mitna wakunna turaban waAAithaman ainna lamabAAoothoona
Translation
And they used to say, “When we are dead and turned into dust and bones, are we to be resurrected
Transliteration
Awa abaona alawwaloona
Translation
And our ancient ancestors too?”
Reflects the cynicism of Meccan disbelievers who mocked the doctrine of resurrection, asking sarcastically whether their ancient, long-forgotten ancestors would also be brought back to life from dust.
Transliteration
Qul inna alawwaleena waalakhireena
Translation
Say, “The first and the last
Transliteration
LamajmooAAoona ila meeqati yawmin maAAloomin
Translation
Will be gathered for the appointment of a familiar Day.”
Transliteration
Thumma innakum ayyuha alddalloona almukaththiboona
Translation
Then you, you misguided, who deny the truth
Transliteration
Laakiloona min shajarin min zaqqoomin
Translation
Will be eating from the Tree of Bitterness
Transliteration
Famalioona minha albutoona
Translation
Will be filling your bellies with it
Transliteration
Fashariboona AAalayhi mina alhameemi
Translation
Will be drinking on top of it boiling water
Transliteration
Fashariboona shurba alheemi
Translation
Drinking like thirsty camels drink
Transliteration
Hatha nuzuluhum yawma alddeeni
Translation
That is their hospitality on the Day of Retribution
Transliteration
Nahnu khalaqnakum falawla tusaddiqoona
Translation
We created you—if only you would believe
Transliteration
Afaraaytum ma tumnoona
Translation
Have you seen what you ejaculate
Transliteration
Aantum takhluqoonahu am nahnu alkhaliqoona
Translation
Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator
Directs contemplation to human reproduction: challenges parents to recognize that while they emit the fluid, the complex biological cellular design, DNA programming, and genesis of a conscious human being is the exclusive creative work of God.
Transliteration
Nahnu qaddarna baynakumu almawta wama nahnu bimasbooqeena
Translation
We have decreed death among you, and We will not be outstripped
Transliteration
AAala an nubaddila amthalakum wanunshiakum fee ma la taAAlamoona
Translation
In replacing you with your likes, and transforming you into what you do not know
Transliteration
Walaqad AAalimtumu alnnashata aloola falawla tathakkaroona
Translation
You have known the first formation; if only you would remember
Transliteration
Afaraaytum ma tahruthoona
Translation
Have you seen what you cultivate
Transliteration
Aantum tazraAAoonahu am nahnu alzzariAAoona
Translation
Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower
Highlights the miracle of agriculture: a farmer merely scatters a dead seed in the dirt, but the biological germination, genetic growth, and synthesis of crops from sunlight and soil is sustained purely by God's continuous laws of nature.
Transliteration
Law nashao lajaAAalnahu hutaman fathaltum tafakkahoona
Translation
If We will, We can turn it into rubble; then you will lament
Transliteration
Inna lamughramoona
Translation
“We are penalized
Transliteration
Bal nahnu mahroomoona
Translation
No, we are being deprived.”
Transliteration
Afaraaytumu almaa allathee tashraboona
Translation
Have you seen the water you drink
Transliteration
Aantum anzaltumoohu mina almuzni am nahnu almunziloona
Translation
Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender
Transliteration
Law nashao jaAAalnahu ojajan falawla tashkuroona
Translation
If We will, We can make it salty. Will you not be thankful
Points to freshwater precipitation: reminds humanity that if God willed, He could easily cause clouds to drop scalding, bitter saltwater that would poison soils and wipe out human civilization, calling for profound gratitude for drinkable rain.
Transliteration
Afaraaytumu alnnara allatee tooroona
Translation
Have you seen the fire you kindle
Transliteration
Aantum anshatum shajarataha am nahnu almunshioona
Translation
Is it you who produce its tree, or are We the Producer
Transliteration
Nahnu jaAAalnaha tathkiratan wamataAAan lilmuqweena
Translation
We have made it a reminder, and a comfort for the users
Transliteration
Fasabbih biismi rabbika alAAatheemi
Translation
So glorify the Name of your Great Lord
Transliteration
Fala oqsimu bimawaqiAAi alnnujoomi
Translation
I swear by the locations of the stars
God swears an oath by the positions and settings of the stars, emphasizing how immense and magnificent this sign is.
Transliteration
Wainnahu laqasamun law taAAlamoona AAatheemun
Translation
It is an oath, if you only knew, that is tremendous
Transliteration
Innahu laquranun kareemun
Translation
It is a noble Quran
Transliteration
Fee kitabin maknoonin
Translation
In a well-protected Book
Transliteration
La yamassuhu illa almutahharoona
Translation
None can grasp it except the purified
Declares: 'None touch it except the purified' ('La yamassuhu illa al-mutahharun'). While primarily referencing the celestial Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh al-Mahfudh) accessed exclusively by pure angels, Islamic jurisprudence also derives the rule that believers should be in a state of ritual purity (Wudu) when touching the physical Arabic text of the Quran.
Transliteration
Tanzeelun min rabbi alAAalameena
Translation
A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds
Transliteration
Afabihatha alhadeethi antum mudhinoona
Translation
Is it this discourse that you take so lightly
Transliteration
WatajAAaloona rizqakum annakum tukaththiboona
Translation
And you make it your livelihood to deny it
Transliteration
Falawla itha balaghati alhulqooma
Translation
So when it has reached the throat
A chillingly accurate depiction of clinical death: captures the bedside scene where doctors and loved ones stand looking on helplessly as the dying person's soul reaches the throat ('Al-Hulqum'), with God's angels closer to the departing soul than any human present.
Transliteration
Waantum heenaithin tanthuroona
Translation
As you are looking on
Transliteration
Wanahnu aqrabu ilayhi minkum walakin la tubsiroona
Translation
We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see
Transliteration
Falawla in kuntum ghayra madeeneena
Translation
If you are not held to account
Transliteration
TarjiAAoonaha in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
Then bring it back, if you are truthful
Transliteration
Faamma in kana mina almuqarrabeena
Translation
But if he is one of those brought near
Transliteration
Farawhun warayhanun wajannatu naAAeemin
Translation
Then happiness, and flowers, and Garden of Delights
Transliteration
Waamma in kana min ashabi alyameeni
Translation
And if he is one of those on the Right
Transliteration
Fasalamun laka min ashabi alyameeni
Translation
Then, “Peace upon you,” from those on the Right
Transliteration
Waamma in kana mina almukaththibeena alddalleena
Translation
But if he is one of the deniers, the mistaken
Transliteration
Fanuzulun min hameemin
Translation
Then a welcome of Inferno
Transliteration
Watasliyatu jaheemin
Translation
And burning in Hell
Transliteration
Inna hatha lahuwa haqqu alyaqeeni
Translation
This is the certain truth
Transliteration
Fasabbih biismi rabbika alAAatheemi
Translation
So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Magnificent