The Inevitable

When the event befalleth -

There is no denying that it will befall -

Abasing (some), exalting (others);

When the earth is shaken with a shock

And the hills are ground to powder

So that they become a scattered dust,

And ye will be three kinds:

(First) those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?

And (then) those on the left hand; what of those on the left hand?

And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race:

Those are they who will be brought nigh

In gardens of delight;

A multitude of those of old

And a few of those of later time.

On lined couches,

Reclining therein face to face.

There wait on them immortal youths

With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring

Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness,

And fruit that they prefer

And flesh of fowls that they desire.

And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,

Like unto hidden pearls,

Reward for what they used to do.

There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination

(Naught) but the saying: Peace, (and again) Peace.

And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?

Among thornless lote-trees

And clustered plantains,

And spreading shade,

And water gushing,

And fruit in plenty

Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,

And raised couches;

Lo! We have created them a (new) creation

And made them virgins,

Lovers, friends,

For those on the right hand;

A multitude of those of old

And a multitude of those of later time.

And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand?

In scorching wind and scalding water

And shadow of black smoke,

Neither cool nor refreshing.

Lo! heretofore they were effete with luxury

And used to persist in the awful sin.

And they used to say: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again,

And also our forefathers?

Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Lo! those of old and those of later time

Will all be brought together to the tryst of an appointed day.

Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers,

Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum

And will fill your bellies therewith;

And thereon ye will drink of boiling water,

Drinking even as the camel drinketh.

This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgment.

We created you. Will ye then admit the truth?

Have ye seen that which ye emit?

Do ye create it or are We the Creator?

We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,

That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.

And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect?

Have ye seen that which ye cultivate?

Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer?

If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:

Lo! we are laden with debt!

Nay, but we are deprived!

Have ye observed the water which ye drink?

Is it ye who shed it from the raincloud, or are We the Shedder?

If We willed We verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks?

Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out;

Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were We the grower?

We, even We, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.

Therefor (O Muhammad), praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.

Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -

And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -

That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an

In a Book kept hidden

Which none toucheth save the purified,

A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

Is it this Statement that ye scorn,

And make denial thereof your livelihood?

Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)

And ye are at that moment looking

- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -

Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),

Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful?

Thus if he is of those brought nigh,

Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.

And if he is of those on the right hand,

Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.

But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,

Then the welcome will be boiling water

And roasting at hell-fire.

Lo! this is certain truth.

Therefor (O Muhammad) praise the name of thy Lord, the Tremendous.