Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:1-38 - Quran Translation Commentary

2. There is nothing which can either hinder Resurrection or can postpone it. Nor can this news be false. Its occurrence is a sure and certain truth.

Resurrection is not only feasible but it is going to appear before all as an event. Therefore every one should worry about his future. But the current age’s educational, cultural, economic and political system or order keep man entangled only in worldly affairs. Therefore, until the feeling of Resurrection’s Severity does not catch man’s mind his angle of thought cannot change.

3.That is: Qiyamah will raise up many and drag down many. Those who were holding a high position in the world even though they did not deserve it, will be brought down by Qiyamah. Likewise those who could not rank high in the world despite being worthy will be bestowed with highness in the Hereafter. In this way the Hour of Resurrection will bring forth a great revolution with it for human society. New measures of honour and dishonour will be established.

4. The earth-quake of Qiyamah will shake up the earth so severely that it will begin to tremble and everyone will be terrified. A picture of this restlessness has been drawn in the initial ayah of Surah Hajj. The events following the great quake have been described in Surah Zilzaal also.

5. Looking at the huge mountains, the shortsighted man thinks that this earth will remain in the same condition for ever. But Quran informs us of a great revolution which will occur on this earth. When the hour of Qiyamah arrives the mountains will become powder and will be blown with the wind like dust. The mountains will be removed so thoroughly that the earth may become like a leveled ground whereon Resurrection can be established.

6. Which will be these three groups has been narrated after this.

7. Means righteous Faithful whose worksheets (Naamae Aamaal)will be given in their right hands. For further explanation please see Surah Inshiqaq, Note: 7.

It should be noted that Quran has not clarified here as to what treatment will be given to Fasiq (sinful) Muslims, firstly because, at the time of the revelation of these ayah there was no sinful group among the followers of the Holy Prophet. Secondly wisdom and strategy demanded that, from the viewpoint of inspiration and admonition, the reward of the Believer and the punishment of the disbeliever be described face to face. The Quran has, elsewhere, mentioned the acceptance of shafaat (intercession) with certain conditions and their case is different. And no one knows, on the Day of Qiyamah, after facing how many difficulties and suffering how many torments, such people will get the chance of the said ‘shafaat’.

8. That is: the deniers and the sinners whose work-sheet will be given in their left hands.

9. means those who ranked first after accepting Faith and who remained in the fore front in offering sacrifices for their religion. They will rank first in getting Rewards. For more clarification please see Surah Taubah, Note: 180.

10. They will attain the closest nearness to Allah and the honour of such nearness will be the greatest honour.

11. In the gardens of Paradise, which will be full of bounties, they will live luxuriously for ever.

12. During the narration of the near ones the sincere companions of the Holy Prophet were given the good tidings that a big group among the people of the first era will be ‘Muqarrabeen’ (near ones) and that there will be Muqarrabeen in the latter people too. But they will be fewer in number. Hence among the companions there were more people who held high positions consequent upon their virtuous character, their sincerity and their urge to offer sacrifice. Thereafter such people went on decreasing in later times. A hadith too supports this:

“The best people are of my time, then those who will come later, then those who will come later.”

13. These will be imperial thrones embedded with jewels.

14. ‘They will be seated in a majestic manner reclining on their thrones and face to face with one another. This gives us an idea of the well arranged gatherings of the People of paradise. Nobody will turn face from anyone and all will live a pleasant life in a friendly atmosphere.

15. For explanation please see Surah Toor, Note: 28.

16. That is: for entertaining them these youthful boys will remain present before them with jugs full of drinks which they will offer in precious cups. They will also present brimful glasses of pure wine brought from running streams.

17. For explanation please see Surah Saffaat, Note:39.

18. There will be all kinds of fruits in Jannat. They will take up the things of their choice there from. For further clarification please see Surah Toor Note: 22.

19. They will get the meat of whatever birds they desire.

20. For explanation please see Surah Toor, Note: 18.

21. Pearls not touched by anybody, very bright and glittering.

22. All this will be given to them as a reward of their deeds and when they will get the bounties of Paradise as their reward they will be extremely pleased realizing that their efforts bore the best fruits.

23. For explanation please see Surah Nabaa, Note: 22.

24. They will be offered the gift of ‘Salaam’ from every corner and whatever talks will be there, will be regarding peace and only peace. There will be no talk which may cause grief or be reprehensible. It will be a very big bliss because no one gets such atmosphere in this world.

25.The right hand is stronger then the left one comparatively. It is regarded as a sign of auspiciousness. Those who will get their record of deeds in their right hands will be very fortunate people.

26. The fruit of a lote tree having less thorns is more sweet. One important speciality of the lote fruit is that its fragrance is very sweet. And what to talk about the thorn less lote tree fruits of Paradise! This world’s fruits can give us only a faint idea thereof.

27. Banana is a sweet and tasty fruit and what to talk of the bananas of Paradise! Their being piled up one upon another will exhibit the skill of its production. They will be very pleasing to the eye.

28. We can have an idea about the length of the shade of a tree in Paradise from a hadith which says:

“In Jannat there is a tree so big that if a rider travels under its shade for a hundred years he will still be there under.” (Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer).

29. There will be ample water in Paradise. It will go on flowing therein.

30. The availability of Heavenly fruits will never end. In this world fruits grow in their particular season. But the trees of Paradise will remain fruitful always. Their fruits will be available every moment. Moreover there will be no restrain on getting those fruits. No law will come in the way of getting them. There will be no problem of ownership also. Every fellow of Paradise will be able to get every fruit of his choice without any hindrance.

31. It will show the greatness of their honour.

32. The women of Paradise will be given most appropriate bodies. They will be made virgins even if they had children in this world.

33. They will love their husbands, will have very beautiful faces, and will be very pleasing to the eyes of their husbands.

34. For explanation see Surah Sa’ad, Note: 76.

35. These beautiful and attractive women will be for the people of the right hand. Those virtuous women who were in the wedlock of virtuous men will join their own husbands. Those men who did not have virtuous wives in this world will be wedded to other virtuous women. This is much sufficient to understand the matter. There is no need to go in deeper details.