In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
56:1When the inevitable comes to pass.
56:2Nothing can stop it from happening.
56:3It will lower some, and raise others.
56:4The earth will be shaken up.
56:5The mountains will be wiped out.
56:6As if they never existed.
56:7You will be stratified into three kinds.
56:8Those who deserved bliss will be in bliss.
56:9Those who deserved misery will be in misery.
56:10Then there is the elite of the elite.
56:11They are those who will be closest (to God).
56:12In the gardens of bliss.
56:13Many from the first generations.
56:14Few from the later generations.
56:15On luxurious furnishings.
56:16Enjoying everything, they will be neighbors.
56:17Serving them will be immortal servants.
56:18With cups, pitchers and pure drinks.
56:19They never run out, nor do they get bored.
56:20Fruits of their choice.
56:21Meat of birds that they desire.
56:22Beautiful mates.
56:23Like protected pearls.
56:24Rewards for their works.
56:25They never hear any nonsense therein, nor sinful utterances.
56:26Only the utterance: “Peace, peace.”
The Lower Heaven
56:27Those of the right side, will be on the right side.
56:28In lush orchards.
56:29Fragrant fruits.
56:30Extended shade.
56:31Abundant water.
56:32Many fruits.
56:33Never ending; never forbidden.
56:34Luxurious furnishings.
56:35We create for them mates.
56:36Never previously touched.
56:37Perfectly matched.
56:38For those on the right side.
56:39Many from the early generations.
56:40Many from the later generations.*
Footnote 56:40
*56:13-40 People who believe and nourish their souls through worshiping God alone are destined for the High Heaven. The contemporary followers of each messenger invariably suffer persecution from the traditionalists and adherents of the corrupted religion. Thus, they have a special place reserved for them in the High Heaven. All people who die before the age of 40 go to the Lower Heaven, at least (46:15).
Hell
56:41Those of the left, will be on the left.
56:42In misery and inferno.
56:43Even their shade is hot.
56:44Never cool, never tolerable.
56:45They used to be rich.
56:46They insisted on the great blasphemy.
56:47They said, “After we die and turn to dust and bones, we get resurrected?
56:48“Does this include our forefathers?”
56:49Say, “The early generations and the later generations.
56:50“Will be summoned to a meeting on a predetermined day.
56:51“Then you, O disbelieving strayers.
56:52“Will eat from the trees of bitterness.
56:53“Filling your bellies therefrom.
56:54“Then drinking on top of it hellish drinks.
56:55“Then adding drinks of sand.”
56:56Such is their share on the Day of Judgment.
Reflections
56:57We have created you, if you could only believe!
56:58Have you noted the semen that you produce?
56:59Did you create it, or did we?
56:60We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us –
56:61from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know.
56:62You know about the first creation. Do you not remember?
56:63Have you noted the crops you reap?
56:64Did you grow them, or did we?
56:65If we will, we can turn it into hay. Then you will lament:
56:66“We lost.
56:67“We are deprived.”
56:68Have you noted the water you drink?
56:69Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we?
56:70If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful.
56:71Have you noted the fire you ignite?
56:72Did you initiate its tree, or did we?
56:73We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the users.
56:74You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Only the Sincere Can Understand the Quran
56:75I swear by the positions of the stars.
56:76This is an oath, if you only knew, that is awesome.*
Footnote 56:76
*56:75-76 Our universe, the smallest and innermost of seven universes, contains a billion galaxies, a billion trillion stars, spanning billions of light years. These uncountable decillions of heavenly bodies maintain their orbits in a divinely controlled precision. The more we learn, the more we realize how awesome this oath is. See Appendix 6.
56:77This is an honorable Quran.
56:78In a protected book.
56:79None can grasp it except the sincere.*
Footnote 56:79
*56:79 The insincere who are not satisfied with the Quran alone are divinely prevented from understanding the Quran. This concept is repeated throughout the Quran (17:45-46, 18:57). Consequently, they cannot understand this verse. For example, compare this translation of 7:3, 17:46, 41:44, and 56:79 with other translations.
56:80A revelation from the Lord of the universe.
56:81Are you disregarding this narration?
56:82Do you make it your business that you disbelieve?
56:83When the time comes and it (your soul) reaches your throat –
56:84you will then look around.
56:85We are closer to it than you are, but you do not see.
56:86If it is true that you do not owe any accounting –
56:87why do you not restore (your soul), if you are truthful?
56:88If he is one of those close to Me –
56:89then joy, flowers, and gardens of bliss.
56:90And if he is one of the right –
56:91peace is the lot of those on the right.
56:92But if he is one of the disbelievers, the strayers –
56:93then an abode of inferno –
56:94and burning in Hell.
56:95This is the absolute truth.
56:96You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.