56

1When that which is coming arrives

2no one will be able to deny it has come

3bringing low and raising high

4When the earth is shaken violently

5and the mountains are ground to powder

6and turn to scattered dust

7then you will be sorted into three classes

8Those on the Right––what people they are

9Those on the Left––what people they are

10And those in front––ahead indeed

11For these will be the ones brought nearest to God

12in Gardens of Bliss

13many from the past

14and a few from later generations

15On couches of well-woven cloth

16they will sit facing each other

17everlasting youths will go round among them

18with glasses, flagons, and cups of a pure drink

19that causes no headache or intoxication

20[there will be] any fruit they choose

21the meat of any bird they like

22and beautiful companions

23like hidden pearls

24a reward for what they used to do

25They will hear no idle or sinful talk there

26only clean and wholesome speech

27Those on the Right, what people they are

28They will dwell amid thornless lote trees

29and clustered acacia

30with spreading shade

31constantly flowing water

32abundant fruits

33unfailing, unforbidden

34with incomparable companions

35We have specially created––

36virginal

37loving, of matching age––

38for those on the Right

39many from the past

40and many from later generations

41But those on the Left, what people they are

42They will dwell amid scorching wind and scalding water

43in the shadow of black smoke

44neither cool nor refreshing

45Before, they overindulged in luxury

46and persisted in great sin

47always saying, ‘What? When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be raised up

48And our earliest forefathers too?’

49Say [Prophet], ‘The earliest and latest generations

50will all be gathered on a predetermined Day

51and you who have gone astray and denied the truth

52will eat from the bitter tree of Zaqqum

53filling your bellies with it

54and drink scalding water

55lapping it like thirsty camels.’

56This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgement

57It was We who created you: will you not believe

58Consider [the semen] you eject

59do you create it yourselves or are We the Creator

60We ordained death to be among you. Nothing could stop Us

61if We intended to change you and recreate you in a way unknown to you

62You have learned how you were first created: will you not reflect

63Consider the seeds you sow in the ground

64is it you who make them grow or We

65If We wished, We could turn your harvest into chaff and leave you to wail

66‘We are burdened with debt

67we are bereft.’

68Consider the water you drink

69was it you who brought it down from the rain-cloud or We

70If We wanted, We could make it bitter: will you not be thankful

71Consider the fire you kindle

72is it you who make the wood for it grow or We

73We made it a reminder, and useful to those who kindle it

74so [Prophet] glorify the name of your Lord, the Supreme

75I swear by the positions of the stars

76a mighty oath, if you only knew

77that this is truly a noble Quran

78in a protected Record

79that only the purified can touch

80sent down from the Lord of all being

81How can you scorn this statement

82And how, in return for the livelihood you are given, can you deny it

83When the soul of a dying man comes up to his throat

84while you gaze on

85We are nearer to him than you, though you do not see Us

86why, if you are not to be judged

87do you not restore his soul to him, if what you say is true

88If that dying person is one of those who will be brought near to God

89he will have rest, ease, and a Garden of Bliss

90if he is one of those on the Right

91[he will hear], ‘Peace be on you,’ from his companions on the Right

92but if he is one of those who denied the truth and went astray

93he will be welcomed with scalding water

94He will burn in Hell

95This is the certain truth

96[Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Supreme