When the Great Event occurs,
none will deny its occurrence;
bringing low, raising high.
When the earth is convulsed
and the mountains are crushed
and become scattered dust in the air.
And you will be classed into three:
the Companions of the Right: what of the Companions of the Right?
the Companions of the Left: what of the Companions of the Left?
and the Forerunners, the Forerunners.
Those are the Ones Brought Near
in Gardens of Delight.
A large group of the earlier people
but few of the later ones.
On sumptuous woven couches,
reclining on them face to face.
There will circulate among them, ageless youths,
carrying goblets and decanters and a cup from a flowing spring —
it does not give them any headache nor does it leave them stupefied.
And any fruit they specify
and any bird-meat they desire.
And dark-eyed maidens
like hidden pearls.
As recompense for what they did.
They will hear no prattling in it nor any word of wrong.
All that is said is, ´Peace! Peace!´
And the Companions of the Right: what of the Companions of the Right?
Amid thornless lote-trees
and fruit-laden acacias
and wide-spreading shade
and outpouring water
and fruits in abundance
never failing, unrestricted.
And on elevated couches
We have brought maidens into being
and made them purest virgins,
devoted, passionate, of like age,
for the Companions of the Right.
A large group of the earlier people
and a large group of the later ones.
And the Companions of the Left: what of the Companions of the Left?
Amid searing blasts and scalding water
and the murk of thick black smoke,
providing no coolness and no pleasure.
Before that they were living in luxury,
persisting in immense wrongdoing
and saying, ´When we are dead and turned to dust and bones, shall we then be raised again
or our forefathers, the earlier peoples?´
Say: ´The earlier and the later peoples will certainly all be gathered
to the appointment of a specified Day.
Then you, you misguided, you deniers
will eat from the tree of Zaqqum,
filling your stomachs with it
and drink scalding water on top of it,
slurping like thirst-crazed camels.
This will be their hospitality on the Day of Judgment!´
We created you so why do you not confirm the truth?
Have you thought about the sperm that you ejaculate?
Is it you who create it or are We the Creator?
We have decreed death for you and We will not be forestalled
in replacing you with others the same as you and re-forming you in a way you know nothing about.
You have known the first formation, so will you not pay heed?
Have you thought about what you cultivate?
Is it you who make it germinate or are We the Germinator?
If We wished We could have made it broken stubble. You would then be left devoid of crops, distraught:
´We are ruined,
in fact we are destitute!´
Have you thought about the water that you drink?
Is it you who sent it down from the clouds or are We the Sender?
If We wished We could have made it bitter, so will you not give thanks?
Have you thought about the fire that you light?
Is it you who make the trees that fuel it grow or are We the Grower?
We have made it to be a reminder and a comfort for travellers in the wild.
So glorify the name of your Lord, the Magnificent!
And I swear by the falling of the stars —
and that is a mighty oath if you only knew —
it truly is a Noble Qur´an
in a well protected Book.
No one may touch it except the purified.
Revelation sent down from the Lord of all the worlds.
Do you nonetheless regard this discourse with scorn
and think your provision depends on your denial of the truth?
Why then, when death reaches his throat
and you are at that moment looking on —
and We are nearer him than you but you cannot see —
why then, if you are not subject to Our command,
do you not send it back if you are telling the truth?
But the truth is that if he is one of Those Brought Near,
there is solace and sweetness and a Garden of Delight.
And if he is one of the Companions of the Right,
´Peace be upon you!´ from the Companions of the Right
And if he is one of the misguided deniers,
there is hospitality of scalding water
and roasting in the Blazing Fire.
This is indeed the Truth of Certainty.
So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Magnificent!