A Meccan sura whose central message is stated in its opening verses, from which the sura takes its title: the Day of Judgement is inevitable and it will sort people into the humiliated and the richly rewarded. As in the previous sura, people are divided into three classes: those brought near to God (the best of the believers), those on the right (the ordinary believers), and those on the left (the disbelievers). Ample proof is given of God’s power and consequently His ability to bring about the Resurrection (verses 57–72,).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
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 wholesomea 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 companionsb 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,a 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 Qur’an, 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.