Surah Al-Waqi'ah

Ta'awwudh · Seeking Refuge

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytani ar-rajim. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.

The Name · Bismillah

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

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The Surah · Al-Waqi'ah

﴾١﴿ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ

Idha waqa'ati al-waqi'ah

When the Event falls.

﴾٢﴿ لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ

Laysa liwaq'atiha kadhibah

There is no denying that it falls.

﴾٣﴿ خَافِضَةٌۭ رَّافِعَةٌ

Khafidatun rafi'ah

It brings low and it raises up.

﴾٤﴿ إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ رَجًّۭا

Idha rujjati al-ardu rajja

When the earth is shaken with a violent shaking.

﴾٥﴿ وَبُسَّتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ بَسًّۭا

Wa bussati al-jibalu bassa

And the mountains are crumbled to pieces.

﴾٦﴿ فَكَانَتْ هَبَآءًۭ مُّنۢبَثًّۭا

Fakanat haba'an mumbaththa

So they become scattered dust.

﴾٧﴿ وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا ثَلَٰثَةًۭ

Wa kuntum azwajan thalathah

And you become three kinds.

﴾٨﴿ فَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ

Fa ashabu al-maymanati ma ashabu al-maymanah

The companions of the right. What are the companions of the right.

﴾٩﴿ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ

Wa ashabu al-mash'amati ma ashabu al-mash'amah

And the companions of the left. What are the companions of the left.

﴾١٠﴿ وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ

Was-sabiquna as-sabiqun

And the foremost, the foremost.

﴾١١﴿ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ

Ula'ika al-muqarrabun

Those are the ones brought near.

﴾١٢﴿ فِى جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

Fi jannati an-na'im

In gardens of delight.

﴾١٣﴿ ثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Thullatun mina al-awwalin

A large portion from the earlier generations.

﴾١٤﴿ وَقَلِيلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ

Wa qalilun mina al-akhirin

And a few from the later ones.

﴾١٥﴿ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍۢ مَّوْضُونَةٍۢ

'Ala sururin mawdunah

On woven couches.

﴾١٦﴿ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَٰبِلِينَ

Muttaki'ina 'alayha mutaqabilin

Reclining on them, facing one another.

﴾١٧﴿ يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌۭ مُّخَلَّدُونَ

Yatufu 'alayhim wildanun mukhalladun

Circulating among them are youths who stay young.

﴾١٨﴿ بِأَكْوَابٍۢ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍۢ مِّن مَّعِينٍۢ

Bi-akwabin wa abariqa wa ka'sin min ma'in

With cups and pitchers and a vessel from a flowing spring.

﴾١٩﴿ لَّا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ

La yusadda'una 'anha wa la yunzifun

They get no headache from it and they are not made drunk.

﴾٢٠﴿ وَفَٰكِهَةٍۢ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ

Wa fakihatin mimma yatakhayyarun

And fruit of their choosing.

﴾٢١﴿ وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍۢ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

Wa lahmi tayrin mimma yashtahun

And the flesh of birds, whatever they desire.

﴾٢٢﴿ وَحُورٌ عِينٌۭ

Wa hurun 'in

And companions with wide beautiful eyes.

﴾٢٣﴿ كَأَمْثَٰلِ ٱللُّؤْلُؤِ ٱلْمَكْنُونِ

Ka-amthali al-lu'lu'i al-maknun

Like well guarded pearls.

﴾٢٤﴿ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Jaza'an bima kanu ya'malun

A reward for what they used to do.

﴾٢٥﴿ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًۭا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا

La yasma'una fiha laghwan wa la ta'thima

They hear no idle talk in it and no sinful speech.

﴾٢٦﴿ إِلَّا قِيلًۭا سَلَٰمًۭا سَلَٰمًۭا

Illa qilan salaman salama

Only the saying: peace, peace.

﴾٢٧﴿ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْيَمِينِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْيَمِينِ

Wa ashabu al-yamini ma ashabu al-yamin

And the companions of the right. What are the companions of the right.

﴾٢٨﴿ فِى سِدْرٍۢ مَّخْضُودٍۢ

Fi sidrin makhdud

Among thornless lote trees.

﴾٢٩﴿ وَطَلْحٍۢ مَّنضُودٍۢ

Wa talhin mandud

And clustered banana.

﴾٣٠﴿ وَظِلٍّۢ مَّمْدُودٍۢ

Wa zillin mamdud

And extended shade.

﴾٣١﴿ وَمَآءٍۢ مَّسْكُوبٍۢ

Wa ma'in maskub

And flowing water.

﴾٣٢﴿ وَفَٰكِهَةٍۢ كَثِيرَةٍۢ

Wa fakihatin kathirah

And abundant fruit.

﴾٣٣﴿ لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍۢ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍۢ

La maqtu'atin wa la mamnu'ah

Neither cut off nor forbidden.

﴾٣٤﴿ وَفُرُشٍۢ مَّرْفُوعَةٍ

Wa furushin marfu'ah

And raised couches.

﴾٣٥﴿ إِنَّآ أَنشَأْنَٰهُنَّ إِنشَآءًۭ

Inna ansha'nahunna insha'a

We brought them into being in a new creation.

﴾٣٦﴿ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا

Faja'alnahunna abkara

And made them virgins.

﴾٣٧﴿ عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًۭا

'Uruban atraba

Loving and of equal age.

﴾٣٨﴿ لِّأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

Li-ashabi al-yamin

For the companions of the right.

﴾٣٩﴿ ثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Thullatun mina al-awwalin

A large portion from the earlier generations.

﴾٤٠﴿ وَثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ

Wa thullatun mina al-akhirin

And a large portion from the later ones.

﴾٤١﴿ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ

Wa ashabu ash-shimali ma ashabu ash-shimal

And the companions of the left. What are the companions of the left.

﴾٤٢﴿ فِى سَمُومٍۢ وَحَمِيمٍۢ

Fi samumin wa hamim

In scorching wind and boiling water.

﴾٤٣﴿ وَظِلٍّۢ مِّن يَحْمُومٍۢ

Wa zillin min yahmum

And a shadow of black smoke.

﴾٤٤﴿ لَّا بَارِدٍۢ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ

La baridin wa la karim

Neither cool nor honorable.

﴾٤٥﴿ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتْرَفِينَ

Innahum kanu qabla dhalika mutrafin

They were, before that, living in ease.

﴾٤٦﴿ وَكَانُوا۟ يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى ٱلْحِنثِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Wa kanu yusirruna 'ala al-hinthi al-'azim

And they persisted in the great sin.

﴾٤٧﴿ وَكَانُوا۟ يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًۭا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ

Wa kanu yaquluna a-idha mitna wa kunna turaban wa 'izaman a-inna lamab'uthun

And they used to say: when we are dead and have become dust and bones, are we going to be raised.

﴾٤٨﴿ أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ

Awa aba'una al-awwalun

And our fathers before us.

﴾٤٩﴿ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْءَاخِرِينَ

Qul inna al-awwalina wal-akhirin

Say: the earlier ones and the later ones.

﴾٥٠﴿ لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَٰتِ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ

Lamajmu'una ila miqati yawmin ma'lum

Will be gathered to the appointed time of a known day.

﴾٥١﴿ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبُونَ

Thumma innakum ayyuha ad-dalluna al-mukadhdhibun

Then you, the astray, the deniers.

﴾٥٢﴿ لَءَاكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍۢ مِّن زَقُّومٍۢ

La-akiluna min shajarin min zaqqum

Will be eating from the tree of Zaqqum.

﴾٥٣﴿ فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنْهَا ٱلْبُطُونَ

Famali'una minha al-butun

Filling your bellies from it.

﴾٥٤﴿ فَشَٰرِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْحَمِيمِ

Fasharibuna 'alayhi mina al-hamim

And drinking boiling water on top of it.

﴾٥٥﴿ فَشَٰرِبُونَ شُرْبَ ٱلْهِيمِ

Fasharibuna shurba al-him

Drinking as thirsty camels drink.

﴾٥٦﴿ هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ

Hadha nuzuluhum yawma ad-din

This is their welcome on the Day of Judgment.

﴾٥٧﴿ نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ

Nahnu khalaqnakum falawla tusaddiqun

We created you, so why do you not believe.

﴾٥٨﴿ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ

Afara'aytum ma tumnun

Have you seen what you emit.

﴾٥٩﴿ ءَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْخَٰلِقُونَ

A-antum takhluqunahu am nahnu al-khaliqun

Do you create it, or are We the Creator.

﴾٦٠﴿ نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

Nahnu qaddarna baynakumu al-mawta wa ma nahnu bimasbuqin

We decreed death among you and We are not outdone.

﴾٦١﴿ عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَٰلَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِى مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

'Ala an nubaddila amthalakum wa nunshi'akum fi ma la ta'lamun

In replacing you with others like you and bringing you into being in a form you do not know.

﴾٦٢﴿ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Wa laqad 'alimtumu an-nash'ata al-ula falawla tadhakkarun

You have known the first bringing into being, so why do you not take heed.

﴾٦٣﴿ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ

Afara'aytum ma tahruthun

Have you seen what you plant.

﴾٦٤﴿ ءَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلزَّٰرِعُونَ

A-antum tazra'unahu am nahnu az-zari'un

Do you make it grow, or are We the Grower.

﴾٦٥﴿ لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَٰهُ حُطَٰمًۭا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ

Law nasha'u laja'alnahu hutaman fazaltum tafakkahun

If We willed We would make it debris and you would be left exclaiming.

﴾٦٦﴿ إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ

Inna lamughramun

We are indebted.

﴾٦٧﴿ بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

Bal nahnu mahrumun

Rather, we are deprived.

﴾٦٨﴿ أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلْمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشْرَبُونَ

Afara'aytumu al-ma'a alladhi tashrabun

Have you seen the water you drink.

﴾٦٩﴿ ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ

A-antum anzaltumuhu mina al-muzni am nahnu al-munzilun

Did you send it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender.

﴾٧٠﴿ لَوْ نَشَآءُ جَعَلْنَٰهُ أُجَاجًۭا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ

Law nasha'u ja'alnahu ujajan falawla tashkurun

If We willed We would make it bitter, so why are you not grateful.

﴾٧١﴿ أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى تُورُونَ

Afara'aytumu an-nara allati turun

Have you seen the fire you kindle.

﴾٧٢﴿ ءَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنشِـُٔونَ

A-antum ansha'tum shajarataha am nahnu al-munshi'un

Did you produce its tree, or are We the Producer.

﴾٧٣﴿ نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَٰهَا تَذْكِرَةًۭ وَمَتَٰعًۭا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ

Nahnu ja'alnaha tadhkiratan wa mata'an lil-muqwin

We made it a reminder and a provision for the traveler.

﴾٧٤﴿ فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Fasabbih bismi Rabbika al-'azim

So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

﴾٧٥﴿ ۞ فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَٰقِعِ ٱلنُّجُومِ

Fala uqsimu bimawaqi'i an-nujum

I swear by the positions of the stars.

﴾٧٦﴿ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَقَسَمٌۭ لَّوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ

Wa innahu laqasamun law ta'lamuna 'azim

And it is a great oath, if you only knew.

﴾٧٧﴿ إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرْءَانٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

Innahu laqur'anun karim

It is a noble Quran.

﴾٧٨﴿ فِى كِتَٰبٍۢ مَّكْنُونٍۢ

Fi kitabin maknun

In a well guarded Book.

﴾٧٩﴿ لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ

La yamassuhu illa al-mutahharun

None touch it except the purified.

﴾٨٠﴿ تَنزِيلٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Tanzilun min Rabbi al-'alamin

A revelation from the Lord of the worlds.

﴾٨١﴿ أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ

Afabihadha al-hadithi antum mudhinun

Is it this statement that you treat lightly.

﴾٨٢﴿ وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ

Wa taj'aluna rizqakum annakum tukadhdhibun

And do you make your denial your livelihood.

﴾٨٣﴿ فَلَوْلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلْحُلْقُومَ

Falawla idha balaghati al-hulqum

So why, when the soul reaches the throat.

﴾٨٤﴿ وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍۢ تَنظُرُونَ

Wa antum hina'idhin tanzurun

And you are at that moment looking on.

﴾٨٥﴿ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ

Wa nahnu aqrabu ilayhi minkum wa lakin la tubsirun

And We are nearer to him than you, but you do not see.

﴾٨٦﴿ فَلَوْلَآ إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ

Falawla in kuntum ghayra madinin

So why, if you are not going to be judged.

﴾٨٧﴿ تَرْجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

Tarji'unaha in kuntum sadiqin

Do you not return it, if you are truthful.

﴾٨٨﴿ فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Fa-amma in kana mina al-muqarrabin

So if he was of the ones brought near.

﴾٨٩﴿ فَرَوْحٌۭ وَرَيْحَانٌۭ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍۢ

Farawhun wa rayhanun wa jannatu na'im

Then rest, and fragrance, and a garden of delight.

﴾٩٠﴿ وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

Wa amma in kana min ashabi al-yamin

And if he was of the companions of the right.

﴾٩١﴿ فَسَلَٰمٌۭ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

Fasalamun laka min ashabi al-yamin

Then peace to you from the companions of the right.

﴾٩٢﴿ وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Wa amma in kana mina al-mukadhdhibina ad-dallin

And if he was of the deniers, the astray.

﴾٩٣﴿ فَنُزُلٌۭ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ

Fanuzulun min hamim

Then a welcome of scalding water.

﴾٩٤﴿ وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ

Wa tasliyatu jahim

And a burning in Hellfire.

﴾٩٥﴿ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ

Inna hadha lahuwa haqqu al-yaqin

This is the certain truth.

﴾٩٦﴿ فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Fasabbih bismi Rabbika al-'azim

So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What The Surah Means

Overview

Surah Al-Waqi'ah is ninety-six verses, chapter 56, Makki. It sorts humanity into three groups in the first eleven verses and then spends the rest of the chapter describing where each group ends up. There is no fourth category offered anywhere in the surah.

The middle of the surah is a run of four questions about production. The seed, the water, the fire, and the human being itself. Each one asks who actually does the work, and each one is aimed at a man who believes he is the producer.

Three groups, and the sorting happens in the first eleven verses. Everything after that is a description of where each one lands.

Verses 1–12 · The Sorting

When the Event occurs, there is no denying its occurrence. It lowers and it raises.

Idha waqa'ati al-waqi'ah, laysa liwaq'atiha kadhibah: when it falls, there is no lie about its falling. The name of the surah is a verb about landing.

Khafidatun rafi'ah: bringing low and raising up. One event that inverts standing in both directions at once. The men at the top and the men at the bottom both move.

Wa kuntum azwajan thalathah: and you become three kinds. Fa ashabu al-maymanati ma ashabu al-maymanah, wa ashabu al-mash'amati ma ashabu al-mash'amah, was-sabiquna as-sabiqun. The companions of the right, the companions of the left, and the foremost, the foremost.

As-sabiquna as-sabiqun, ula'ika al-muqarrabun: the foremost are the ones brought near. The third group is not defined by a boundary but by pace. They are the ones who got there first.

The event lowers and raises. Then three groups, and the highest one is defined by being early.

Verses 13–56 · The Three Destinations

A large portion from the earlier generations, and a few from the later ones.

Thullatun mina al-awwalin wa qalilun mina al-akhirin: of the foremost, many from the earlier generations and few from the later. The scarcity is stated plainly and it is stated about the group being described as best.

The muqarrabun are described on woven couches, served by eternal youths with vessels and a flowing cup that causes no headache and no intoxication, with fruit and flesh of their choosing.

The companions of the right are described among thornless lote trees, clustered banana, extended shade, flowing water, abundant fruit that is neither cut off nor forbidden.

The companions of the left are described in scorching wind and boiling water and a shadow of black smoke, and the reason is given directly. They were, before that, indulged in luxury, they persisted in the great sin, and they used to say, when we are dead and have become dust and bones, are we going to be resurrected.

Innahum kanu qabla dhalika mutrafin: they were living in ease before that. The Quran names comfort as the condition that made the position possible, which is the pattern this juz keeps repeating.

Ease before, denial during, and a shadow of black smoke after. The comfort is named as part of the cause.

Verses 57–74 · Who Does the Work

We created you, so why do you not believe? Have you seen what you emit?

Afara'aytum ma tumnun, a-antum takhluqunahu am nahnu al-khaliqun: do you create it, or are We the Creator. The first question is about the drop, which is the most intimate example available.

Afara'aytum ma tahruthun, a-antum tazra'unahu am nahnu az-zari'un: do you make it grow, or are We the Grower. The verb is deliberately split. You plant. The growing is a separate act, done by someone else, and the language separates the two so the claim cannot blur them.

Law nasha'u laja'alnahu hutaman fazaltum tafakkahun: if We willed We would make it debris and you would be left exclaiming. Inna lamughramun, bal nahnu mahrumun. We are indebted, rather we are deprived.

Afara'aytumu al-ma'a alladhi tashrabun, a-antum anzaltumuhu mina al-muzni am nahnu al-munzilun: the water you drink. Law nasha'u ja'alnahu ujajan falawla tashkurun. If We willed We would make it bitter, so why are you not grateful.

Afara'aytumu an-nara allati turun, a-antum ansha'tum shajarataha am nahnu al-munshi'un: the fire you kindle, and the tree it comes from. Nahnu ja'alnaha tadhkiratan wa mata'an lil-muqwin. We made it a reminder and a provision for the traveler.

Fasabbih bismi Rabbika al-'azim: so glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great. Four questions, one instruction.

You plant. The growing is not yours. You strike the match. The tree was not yours either.

Verses 75–82 · The Oath and the Book

I swear by the positions of the stars, and it is a great oath, if you only knew.

Fala uqsimu bimawaqi'i an-nujum, wa innahu laqasamun law ta'lamuna 'azim: an oath by the positions of the stars, and the Quran pauses to tell you the oath is greater than you can see.

Innahu laqur'anun karim, fi kitabin maknun: it is a noble Quran, in a well guarded Book. La yamassuhu illa al-mutahharun: none touch it except the purified. The mufassirun differ on whether this describes the angels or the ritual state of the reader, and both readings are carried in the tradition.

Tanzilun min Rabbi al-'alamin: a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.

Afabihadha al-hadithi antum mudhinun, wa taj'aluna rizqakum annakum tukadhdhibun: is it this statement that you treat lightly, and do you make your denial your livelihood. The phrasing is sharp. Some men earn from the denial itself.

A great oath, a guarded book, and a question about men who make their living from the denying.

Verses 83–96 · At the Throat

So why, when the soul reaches the throat, and you are at that moment looking on?

Falawla idha balaghati al-hulqum, wa antum hina'idhin tanzurun: the scene is a room with people in it, watching, unable to act. Wa nahnu aqrabu ilayhi minkum wa lakin la tubsirun. And We are nearer to him than you, but you do not see.

Falawla in kuntum ghayra madinin tarji'unaha in kuntum sadiqin: if you are not going to be judged, then return it, if you are truthful. The challenge is issued at the exact moment nobody in the room can meet it.

Then the three endings, in the same order as the opening. If he was of the ones brought near, then rest, fragrance, and a garden of pleasure. If of the companions of the right, then peace to you from the companions of the right. If of the deniers, the astray, then a welcome of scalding water and a burning in Hellfire.

Inna hadha lahuwa haqqu al-yaqin, fasabbih bismi Rabbika al-'azim: this is the certain truth, so glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great. The surah closes with the same instruction it gave after the four questions.

The soul is at the throat, the room is watching, and nobody can send it back. Three groups, three endings, in the order they were named.

Structural Summary

The Dispatch

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Essays, study notes, and disciplined reflections from Mike Rashid King.

Ninety-Six Verses. Three Groups, No Fourth.

Verses 1–12The SortingAn event that lowers and raises, and three kinds: the right, the left, and the foremost brought near.

Verses 13–40The Near and the RightMany from the earlier generations among the foremost, and the gardens described for both groups.

Verses 41–56The LeftScorching wind, black smoke, and the reason: they were living in ease and persisted in the great sin.

Verses 57–62The DropDo you create it, or are We the Creator. We decreed death among you and are not outdone.

Verses 63–74The WorkYou plant and We grow, We send the water, We made the tree the fire comes from. So glorify the name of your Lord.

Verses 75–82The BookA great oath, a noble Quran in a guarded Book, and a question about men whose livelihood is the denial.

Verses 83–96The ThroatThe soul rising while the room watches, and three endings in the order the three groups were named.

Why This Surah Is For You

Verse 10 defines the highest group by pace rather than by qualification. As-sabiquna as-sabiqun, the foremost, the foremost. They are the ones who moved first. That is the only distinction offered, and it is available in any given week.

Verses 63 and 64 split a verb most men keep whole. You plant. The growing is done by someone else. Every result you have ever produced has that split in it, and the surah asks you to name which half was yours.

Verse 45 gives the cause of the left hand group, and it is not vice. Innahum kanu qabla dhalika mutrafin. They were living in ease. Comfort is named as the condition that made the denial possible, which should concern anyone whose life is comfortable.

Verse 82 is a sharp line for the era. Do you make your denial your livelihood. There are men who earn directly from mockery of this, and the Quran identified the business model.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Ninety-Six Verses. Move First.

Pick one thing this week and be early to it. Verse 10 makes precedence the whole qualification for the highest group.

Say verses 63 and 64 over your own work. You planted. Name who grew it.

Read verses 83 to 87 slowly. The room, the watching, and the fact that nobody present can send it back.

Recite Al-Waqi'ah in the evening as a settled habit. Do it because the surah repeats one instruction twice, glorify the name of your Lord the Most Great, and that is a practice rather than a sentiment.

An event that lowers and raises, three groups and no fourth, and the highest one defined by who moved first.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verse 11 / 192

The Verse

إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ

Idha waqa'ati al-waqi'ah

What does verse 1 say?

AAnd the foremost, the foremost.BAnd flowing water.CAnd the companions of the left. What are the companions of the left.DWhen the Event falls.

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