SURAH 56 — Al-Wāqi‘ah — الواقعة — “The Inevitable Event”

• Revelation Order: 46
• Event Anchor: Mid-to-late Meccan eschatological instruction (c. 616–620 CE)

Explanation:
Al-Wāqi‘ah provides a detailed exposition of the Hereafter, dividing humanity into three groups—those brought near, the companions of the right, and the companions of the left. This thematic organization fits the period in Mecca when the Qur’an elaborated the consequences of belief and disbelief with vivid imagery. The surah also counters claims that Muhammad fabricated revelation, fitting a time when Quraysh accused him of invention. Its blend of reassurance for believers and rebuke for deniers reflects a maturing message addressing increasingly polarized responses in Mecca.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
When the Occurrence occurs,	1	Meccan	4980
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.	2	Meccan	4981
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].	3	Meccan	4982
When the earth is shaken with convulsion	4	Meccan	4983
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling	5	Meccan	4984
And become dust dispersing.	6	Meccan	4985
And you become [of] three kinds:	7	Meccan	4986
Then the companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?	8	Meccan	4987
And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?	9	Meccan	4988
And the forerunners, the forerunners –	10	Meccan	4989
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]	11	Meccan	4990
In the Gardens of Pleasure,	12	Meccan	4991
A [large] company of the former peoples	13	Meccan	4992
And a few of the later peoples,	14	Meccan	4993
On thrones woven [with ornament],	15	Meccan	4994
Reclining on them, facing each other.	16	Meccan	4995
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal	17	Meccan	4996
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring –	18	Meccan	4997
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated –	19	Meccan	4998
And fruit of what they select	20	Meccan	4999
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.	21	Meccan	5000
And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,	22	Meccan	5001
The likenesses of pearls well-protected,	23	Meccan	5002
As reward for what they used to do.	24	Meccan	5003
They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin –	25	Meccan	5004
Only a saying: “Peace, peace.”	26	Meccan	5005
The companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?	27	Meccan	5006
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed	28	Meccan	5007
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]	29	Meccan	5008
And shade extended	30	Meccan	5009
And water poured out	31	Meccan	5010
And fruit, abundant [and varied],	32	Meccan	5011
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,	33	Meccan	5012
And [upon] beds raised high.	34	Meccan	5013
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation	35	Meccan	5014
And made them virgins,	36	Meccan	5015
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,	37	Meccan	5016
For the companions of the right [who are]	38	Meccan	5017
A company of the former peoples	39	Meccan	5018
And a company of the later peoples.	40	Meccan	5019
And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?	41	Meccan	5020
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water	42	Meccan	5021
And a shade of black smoke,	43	Meccan	5022
Neither cool nor beneficial.	44	Meccan	5023
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,	45	Meccan	5024
And they used to persist in the great violation,	46	Meccan	5025
And they used to say, “When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?	47	Meccan	5026
And our forefathers [as well]?”	48	Meccan	5027
Say, [O Muhammad], “Indeed, the former and the later peoples	49	Meccan	5028
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day.”	50	Meccan	5029
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,	51	Meccan	5030
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum	52	Meccan	5031
And filling with it your bellies	53	Meccan	5032
And drinking on top of it from scalding water	54	Meccan	5033
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.	55	Meccan	5034
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.	56	Meccan	5035
We have created you, so why do you not believe?	57	Meccan	5036
Have you seen that which you emit?	58	Meccan	5037
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?	59	Meccan	5038
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone	60	Meccan	5039
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.	61	Meccan	5040
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?	62	Meccan	5041
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?	63	Meccan	5042
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?	64	Meccan	5043
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,	65	Meccan	5044
[Saying], “Indeed, we are [now] in debt;	66	Meccan	5045
Rather, we have been deprived.”	67	Meccan	5046
And have you seen the water that you drink?	68	Meccan	5047
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?	69	Meccan	5048
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?	70	Meccan	5049
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?	71	Meccan	5050
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?	72	Meccan	5051
We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,	73	Meccan	5052
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.	74	Meccan	5053
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,	75	Meccan	5054
And indeed, it is an oath – if you could know – [most] great.	76	Meccan	5055
Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an	77	Meccan	5056
In a Register well-protected;	78	Meccan	5057
None touch it except the purified.	79	Meccan	5058
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.	80	Meccan	5059
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent	81	Meccan	5060
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?	82	Meccan	5061
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat	83	Meccan	5062
And you are at that time looking on –	84	Meccan	5063
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see –	85	Meccan	5064
Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,	86	Meccan	5065
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?	87	Meccan	5066
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,	88	Meccan	5067
Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.	89	Meccan	5068
And if he was of the companions of the right,	90	Meccan	5069
Then [the angels will say], “Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right.”	91	Meccan	5070
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,	92	Meccan	5071
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water	93	Meccan	5072
And burning in Hellfire	94	Meccan	5073
Indeed, this is the true certainty,	95	Meccan	5074
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.	96	Meccan	5075