Surah 56 (Al-Wãqi‘a), Verses 1-38 (Y7)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 56, Al-Wãqi‘a or the Inevitable, verses 1-38. These verses talk of the inevitable Doomsday of mankind when they will be divided into three groups. This selection describes the first two groups.

Tafseer for this selection concerns the “companions” of the Righteous in Heaven.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

When the inevitable event will come to pass[1] – no one will be able to deny its coming[2] – then some shall be abased and some exalted.[3] The earth shall be shaken to its depths[4] and the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms[5] and become like scattered dust.[6] Then you shall be divided into three groups:[7] those on the right hand – how blessed shall be the people of the right hand;[8] those on the left hand – how damned shall be the people of the left hand;[9] and the foremost (in faith) shall be the foremost (in the Hereafter).[10] They will be nearest to Allah,[11] in the gardens of bliss.[12] Most of them will be from the former[13] and a few from the later generations.[14] They shall have the jeweled couches,[15] reclining on them facing each other,[16] and there shall wait on them the eternal youths[17] with goblets, shining beakers and cups of pure wine,[18] – which will neither pain their heads nor take away their senses.[19] They shall have fruits of their own choice[20] and flesh of fowls that they may desire,[21] and dark eyed Hüris,[22] as lovely as well guarded pearls[23] as a reward for their good deeds that they had done.[24] There they shall not hear any vain talk nor sinful words,[25] but only the greetings of “Peace be upon you! Peace be upon you!”[26] 56:[1-26]

by Krish Dulal (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsThose of the right hand – happy shall be those on the right hand![27] They shall be among the thorn-less lote trees,[28] clusters of bananas,[29] extended thick shades,[30] constantly flowing water,[31] abundant fruits[32] of unforbidden never ending supply,[33] and will be reclining on high raised couches.[34] We have made (their Companions) of special creation,[35] and made them virgin-pure (and undefiled)[36] beloved by nature, equal in age,[37] for those of the right hand.[38] 56:[27-38]

Ameen.

Tafseer

Concerning the heavenly “companions” of the Righteous mentioned in verses 35-38:

The pronoun in Arabic is in the feminine gender, but lest grosser ideas of sex should intrude, it is made clear that these Companions for heavenly society will be of special creation – of virginal purity, grace, and beauty inspiring and inspired by love, with the question of time and age eliminated. Thus every person among the Righteous will have the Bliss of Heaven and the Peace of Allah.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.