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