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Surah Al-Waqi'ah

الواقعة

Surah Al-Waqi'ah is a Meccan surah of 96 verses that describes the Day of Judgment dividing people into three groups and points to everyday signs of Allah's power to create and to raise the dead.

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Meaning
The Inevitable
Surah
56 of 114
Verses
96
Revealed in
Mecca
Found in
Juz 27

What Surah Al-Waqi'ah is about

Surah Al-Waqi'ah is the 56th surah of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 96 verses. Its name, "The Inevitable" or "The Event", is one of the Quran's names for the Day of Judgment, taken from its first verse: when the inevitable event happens, no one will be able to deny it. It follows Surah Ar-Rahman and continues its description of Paradise, and it is one of the most widely recited surahs in the Muslim world.

The opening (56:1-6) describes the Day as one that brings some low and raises others high, when the earth is shaken violently and the mountains are crushed into scattered dust. Verse 7 then gives the surah its structure: on that Day people will be sorted into three groups. The rest of the first half describes each of them in turn.

First are the foremost, those who raced ahead in faith and good deeds, who are the nearest to Allah (56:10-26). They are many from the earlier generations and fewer from the later ones, seated on lined couches facing each other, served by youths who do not age, with drink that causes no headache or intoxication, fruit and meat of their choosing, and companions like hidden pearls. They hear no idle talk, only greetings of peace. Second are the people of the right (56:27-40), among lush orchards and fragrant trees, extended shade, flowing water and fruit that is never cut off or forbidden. Third are the people of the left (56:41-56), in scorching wind, boiling water and the shade of black smoke. The surah explains that they lived in luxury, persisted in great wrongdoing, and mocked the idea of resurrection, and that the Tree of Zaqqum and boiling water will be their meal.

The second half answers that mockery with four everyday signs, each introduced by the question "have you seen": the fluid from which people are created (56:58-62), the seeds they sow (56:63-67), the water they drink (56:68-70), and the fire they kindle (56:71-73). In each case the surah asks whether people are the ones who create it or Allah, and notes how easily He could turn the crop to chaff or the water salty. Verse 74 responds with a command to glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

Verses 75-82 swear by the positions of the stars that this is a noble Quran in a protected Book, which only the purified touch, sent down from the Lord of the worlds. The surah then returns to the moment of death, when the soul reaches the throat and the family looks on, helpless to bring it back, while Allah is nearer to the dying person than they are (56:83-87). The fate of the soul matches the three groups from the start: rest and a garden of bliss for the nearest, greetings of peace for the people of the right, and scalding water and Hell for the deniers (56:88-94). The surah closes by calling this the certain truth and repeating the command to glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great (56:95-96).

Main themes

  1. The inevitable event

    The surah opens with the Day of Judgment as a certainty no one can deny. It will lower some and raise others, and the earth and mountains will be shaken and crushed into dust.

    Verses 1–7

  2. The foremost, brought near

    The highest group are those who were foremost in faith and good deeds, now nearest to Allah in gardens of bliss. They are described as many from the earlier generations and a few from the later, and their life in Paradise is marked by peace rather than idle or sinful talk.

    Verses 10–26

  3. The people of the right

    The second group enjoy shade that stretches out, flowing water, and fruit that is always in season and never forbidden. They are described as many from the earlier generations and many from the later.

    Verses 27–40

  4. The people of the left

    The third group are in scorching wind and boiling water, under a smoke that gives no coolness. The surah links their fate to a life of luxury, persistent wrongdoing, and denial of the resurrection.

    Verses 41–56

  5. Seed, crop, water and fire

    Four simple questions ask who really creates a human being, makes crops grow, sends rain from the clouds, and produces the wood for fire. These daily things are presented as proof that the One who made people the first time can easily bring them back.

    Verses 57–74

  6. The noble Quran and the moment of death

    An oath by the positions of the stars affirms that this is a noble Quran in a protected Book. The surah then describes the soul reaching the throat as relatives watch, unable to bring it back, and closes with the fate of the three groups and a call to glorify Allah.

    Verses 75–96

Verses to know

وَكُنتُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا ثَلَٰثَةٗ ﴿٧﴾ فَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ ﴿٨﴾ وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ ﴿٩﴾ وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ﴿١٠﴾

7And you become three classes. 8Those on the Right—what of those on the Right? 9And those on the Left—what of those on the Left? 10And the forerunners, the forerunners.
Al-Waqi'ah 56:7–10

These verses set out the three groups that shape the whole surah, ending with the foremost, who are repeated twice for emphasis.

أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَحۡرُثُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾ ءَأَنتُمۡ تَزۡرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلزَّـٰرِعُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾ لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ حُطَٰمٗا فَظَلۡتُمۡ تَفَكَّهُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾

63Have you seen what you cultivate? 64Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower? 65If We will, We can turn it into rubble; then you will lament.
Al-Waqi'ah 56:63–65

Allah asks whether people are the ones who make their crops grow, and reminds them that He could turn them to debris. It is a reminder that provision is never purely the result of one's own effort.

فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ﴿٧٤﴾

So glorify the name of your Great Lord.
Al-Waqi'ah 56:74

The command to glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great. A narration in Sunan Abi Dawud links it to the words Muslims say in bowing (ruku'), though scholars differ on that narration's strength.

فَلَوۡلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلۡحُلۡقُومَ ﴿٨٣﴾ وَأَنتُمۡ حِينَئِذٖ تَنظُرُونَ ﴿٨٤﴾ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبۡصِرُونَ ﴿٨٥﴾

83So when it has reached the throat. 84As you are looking on. 85We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see.
Al-Waqi'ah 56:83–85

A vivid picture of death: the soul at the throat, family watching, and Allah nearer to the dying person than they are, though they cannot see.

When Surah Al-Waqi'ah is recited

Surah Al-Waqi'ah is very widely recited, and many Muslims read it every night, often after the Isha prayer, hoping to be protected from poverty. This practice rests on a narration attributed to Ibn Mas'ud, that whoever recites Al-Waqi'ah every night will never be struck by poverty, reported by al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman and others. Hadith scholars, including Imam Ahmad, ad-Daraqutni and, in modern times, al-Albani, have judged this narration weak because of problems in its chain, so it cannot be relied on as a promise from the Prophet ﷺ. Reading the surah regularly is still good, since every reading of the Quran is rewarded, and its reminders about who truly provides the crops and the rain (56:63-70) suit anyone worried about their livelihood. A separate narration in Sunan at-Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet ﷺ said Surah Hud and similar surahs, including Al-Waqi'ah, had turned his hair grey, because of the weight of what they describe.

Surah Al-Waqi'ah in Arabic and English

All 96 verses, with the Arabic, a transliteration to help you read it aloud, and the English translation by Talal Itani.

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. 1

    إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلۡوَاقِعَةُ

    Itha waqaAAati alwaqiAAatu

    When the inevitable occurs.

  2. 2

    لَيۡسَ لِوَقۡعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ

    Laysa liwaqAAatiha kathibatun

    Of its occurrence, there is no denial.

  3. 3

    خَافِضَةࣱ رَّافِعَةٌ

    Khafidatun rafiAAatun

    Bringing low, raising high.

  4. 4

    إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ رَجّٗا

    Itha rujjati alardu rajjan

    When the earth is shaken with a shock.

  5. 5

    وَبُسَّتِ ٱلۡجِبَالُ بَسّٗا

    Wabussati aljibalu bassan

    And the mountains are crushed and crumbled.

  6. 6

    فَكَانَتۡ هَبَآءٗ مُّنۢبَثّٗا

    Fakanat habaan munbaththan

    And they become scattered dust.

  7. 7

    وَكُنتُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا ثَلَٰثَةٗ

    Wakuntum azwajan thalathatan

    And you become three classes.

  8. 8

    فَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ

    Faashabu almaymanati ma ashabu almaymanati

    Those on the Right—what of those on the Right?

  9. 9

    وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ

    Waashabu almashamati ma ashabu almashamati

    And those on the Left—what of those on the Left?

  10. 10

    وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ

    Waalssabiqoona alssabiqoona

    And the forerunners, the forerunners.

  11. 11

    أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ

    Olaika almuqarraboona

    Those are the nearest.

  12. 12

    فِي جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

    Fee jannati alnnaAAeemi

    In the Gardens of Bliss.

  13. 13

    ثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

    Thullatun mina alawwaleena

    A throng from the ancients.

  14. 14

    وَقَلِيلࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ

    Waqaleelun mina alakhireena

    And a small band from the latecomers.

  15. 15

    عَلَىٰ سُرُرٖ مَّوۡضُونَةٖ

    AAala sururin mawdoonatin

    On luxurious furnishings.

  16. 16

    مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيۡهَا مُتَقَٰبِلِينَ

    Muttakieena AAalayha mutaqabileena

    Reclining on them, facing one another.

  17. 17

    يَطُوفُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وِلۡدَٰنࣱ مُّخَلَّدُونَ

    Yatoofu AAalayhim wildanun mukhalladoona

    Serving them will be immortalized youth.

  18. 18

    بِأَكۡوَابٖ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأۡسٖ مِّن مَّعِينٖ

    Biakwabin waabareeqa wakasin min maAAeenin

    With cups, pitchers, and sparkling drinks.

  19. 19

    لَّا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنۡهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ

    La yusaddaAAoona AAanha wala yunzifoona

    Causing them neither headache, nor intoxication.

  20. 20

    وَفَٰكِهَةٖ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ

    Wafakihatin mimma yatakhayyaroona

    And fruits of their choice.

  21. 21

    وَلَحۡمِ طَيۡرٖ مِّمَّا يَشۡتَهُونَ

    Walahmi tayrin mimma yashtahoona

    And meat of birds that they may desire.

  22. 22

    وَحُورٌ عِينࣱ

    Wahoorun AAeenun

    And lovely companions.

  23. 23

    كَأَمۡثَٰلِ ٱللُّؤۡلُوِٕ ٱلۡمَكۡنُونِ

    Kaamthali allului almaknooni

    The likenesses of treasured pearls.

  24. 24

    جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

    Jazaan bima kanoo yaAAmaloona

    As a reward for what they used to do.

  25. 25

    لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغۡوٗا وَلَا تَأۡثِيمًا

    La yasmaAAoona feeha laghwan wala tatheeman

    Therein they will hear no nonsense, and no accusations.

  26. 26

    إِلَّا قِيلٗا سَلَٰمٗا سَلَٰمٗا

    Illa qeelan salaman salaman

    But only the greeting: “Peace, peace.”

  27. 27

    وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡيَمِينِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡيَمِينِ

    Waashabu alyameeni ma ashabu alyameeni

    And those on the Right—what of those on the Right?

  28. 28

    فِي سِدۡرٖ مَّخۡضُودٖ

    Fee sidrin makhdoodin

    In lush orchards.

  29. 29

    وَطَلۡحٖ مَّنضُودٖ

    Watalhin mandoodin

    And sweet-smelling plants.

  30. 30

    وَظِلّٖ مَّمۡدُودٖ

    Wathillin mamdoodin

    And extended shade.

  31. 31

    وَمَآءٖ مَّسۡكُوبٖ

    Wamain maskoobin

    And outpouring water.

  32. 32

    وَفَٰكِهَةٖ كَثِيرَةٖ

    Wafakihatin katheeratin

    And abundant fruit.

  33. 33

    لَّا مَقۡطُوعَةٖ وَلَا مَمۡنُوعَةٖ

    La maqtooAAatin wala mamnooAAatin

    Neither withheld, nor forbidden.

  34. 34

    وَفُرُشٖ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ

    Wafurushin marfooAAatin

    And uplifted mattresses.

  35. 35

    إِنَّآ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُنَّ إِنشَآءٗ

    Inna anshanahunna inshaan

    We have created them of special creation.

  36. 36

    فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُنَّ أَبۡكَارًا

    FajaAAalnahunna abkaran

    And made them virgins.

  37. 37

    عُرُبًا أَتۡرَابٗا

    AAuruban atraban

    Tender and un-aging.

  38. 38

    لِّأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ

    Liashabi alyameeni

    For those on the Right.

  39. 39

    ثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

    Thullatun mina alawwaleena

    A throng from the ancients.

  40. 40

    وَثُلَّةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ

    Wathullatun mina alakhireena

    And a throng from the latecomers.

  41. 41

    وَأَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ مَآ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ

    Waashabu alshshimali ma ashabu alshshimali

    And those on the Left—what of those on the Left?

  42. 42

    فِي سَمُومٖ وَحَمِيمٖ

    Fee samoomin wahameemin

    Amid searing wind and boiling water.

  43. 43

    وَظِلّٖ مِّن يَحۡمُومٖ

    Wathillin min yahmoomin

    And a shadow of thick smoke.

  44. 44

    لَّا بَارِدٖ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ

    La baridin wala kareemin

    Neither cool, nor refreshing.

  45. 45

    إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَبۡلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتۡرَفِينَ

    Innahum kanoo qabla thalika mutrafeena

    They had lived before that in luxury.

  46. 46

    وَكَانُواْ يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى ٱلۡحِنثِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

    Wakanoo yusirroona AAala alhinthi alAAatheemi

    And they used to persist in immense wrongdoing.

  47. 47

    وَكَانُواْ يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابٗا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ

    Wakanoo yaqooloona aitha mitna wakunna turaban waAAithaman ainna lamabAAoothoona

    And they used to say, “When we are dead and turned into dust and bones, are we to be resurrected?

  48. 48

    أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ

    Awa abaona alawwaloona

    And our ancient ancestors too?”

  49. 49

    قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ

    Qul inna alawwaleena waalakhireena

    Say, “The first and the last.

  50. 50

    لَمَجۡمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَٰتِ يَوۡمٖ مَّعۡلُومٖ

    LamajmooAAoona ila meeqati yawmin maAAloomin

    Will be gathered for the appointment of a familiar Day.”

  51. 51

    ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمۡ أَيُّهَا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبُونَ

    Thumma innakum ayyuha alddalloona almukaththiboona

    Then you, you misguided, who deny the truth.

  52. 52

    لَأٓكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٖ مِّن زَقُّومٖ

    Laakiloona min shajarin min zaqqoomin

    Will be eating from the Tree of Bitterness.

  53. 53

    فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنۡهَا ٱلۡبُطُونَ

    Famalioona minha albutoona

    Will be filling your bellies with it.

  54. 54

    فَشَٰرِبُونَ عَلَيۡهِ مِنَ ٱلۡحَمِيمِ

    Fashariboona AAalayhi mina alhameemi

    Will be drinking on top of it boiling water.

  55. 55

    فَشَٰرِبُونَ شُرۡبَ ٱلۡهِيمِ

    Fashariboona shurba alheemi

    Drinking like thirsty camels drink.

  56. 56

    هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلدِّينِ

    Hatha nuzuluhum yawma alddeeni

    That is their hospitality on the Day of Retribution.

  57. 57

    نَحۡنُ خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ فَلَوۡلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ

    Nahnu khalaqnakum falawla tusaddiqoona

    We created you—if only you would believe!

  58. 58

    أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تُمۡنُونَ

    Afaraaytum ma tumnoona

    Have you seen what you ejaculate?

  59. 59

    ءَأَنتُمۡ تَخۡلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُونَ

    Aantum takhluqoonahu am nahnu alkhaliqoona

    Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator?

  60. 60

    نَحۡنُ قَدَّرۡنَا بَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَسۡبُوقِينَ

    Nahnu qaddarna baynakumu almawta wama nahnu bimasbooqeena

    We have decreed death among you, and We will not be outstripped.

  61. 61

    عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمۡثَٰلَكُمۡ وَنُنشِئَكُمۡ فِي مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

    AAala an nubaddila amthalakum wanunshiakum fee ma la taAAlamoona

    In replacing you with your likes, and transforming you into what you do not know.

  62. 62

    وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُمُ ٱلنَّشۡأَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ فَلَوۡلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

    Walaqad AAalimtumu alnnashata aloola falawla tathakkaroona

    You have known the first formation; if only you would remember.

  63. 63

    أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَحۡرُثُونَ

    Afaraaytum ma tahruthoona

    Have you seen what you cultivate?

  64. 64

    ءَأَنتُمۡ تَزۡرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلزَّـٰرِعُونَ

    Aantum tazraAAoonahu am nahnu alzzariAAoona

    Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower?

  65. 65

    لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ حُطَٰمٗا فَظَلۡتُمۡ تَفَكَّهُونَ

    Law nashao lajaAAalnahu hutaman fathaltum tafakkahoona

    If We will, We can turn it into rubble; then you will lament.

  66. 66

    إِنَّا لَمُغۡرَمُونَ

    Inna lamughramoona

    “We are penalized.

  67. 67

    بَلۡ نَحۡنُ مَحۡرُومُونَ

    Bal nahnu mahroomoona

    No, we are being deprived.”

  68. 68

    أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱلَّذِي تَشۡرَبُونَ

    Afaraaytumu almaa allathee tashraboona

    Have you seen the water you drink?

  69. 69

    ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنزَلۡتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُزۡنِ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنزِلُونَ

    Aantum anzaltumoohu mina almuzni am nahnu almunziloona

    Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender?

  70. 70

    لَوۡ نَشَآءُ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ أُجَاجٗا فَلَوۡلَا تَشۡكُرُونَ

    Law nashao jaAAalnahu ojajan falawla tashkuroona

    If We will, We can make it salty. Will you not be thankful?

  71. 71

    أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِي تُورُونَ

    Afaraaytumu alnnara allatee tooroona

    Have you seen the fire you kindle?

  72. 72

    ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنشَأۡتُمۡ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنشِـُٔونَ

    Aantum anshatum shajarataha am nahnu almunshioona

    Is it you who produce its tree, or are We the Producer?

  73. 73

    نَحۡنُ جَعَلۡنَٰهَا تَذۡكِرَةٗ وَمَتَٰعٗا لِّلۡمُقۡوِينَ

    Nahnu jaAAalnaha tathkiratan wamataAAan lilmuqweena

    We have made it a reminder, and a comfort for the users.

  74. 74

    فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

    Fasabbih biismi rabbika alAAatheemi

    So glorify the name of your Great Lord.

  75. 75

    ۞فَلَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِمَوَٰقِعِ ٱلنُّجُومِ

    Fala oqsimu bimawaqiAAi alnnujoomi

    I swear by the locations of the stars.

  76. 76

    وَإِنَّهُۥ لَقَسَمࣱ لَّوۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ

    Wainnahu laqasamun law taAAlamoona AAatheemun

    It is an oath, if you only knew, that is tremendous.

  77. 77

    إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرۡءَانࣱ كَرِيمࣱ

    Innahu laquranun kareemun

    It is a noble Quran.

  78. 78

    فِي كِتَٰبٖ مَّكۡنُونٖ

    Fee kitabin maknoonin

    In a well-protected Book.

  79. 79

    لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ

    La yamassuhu illa almutahharoona

    None can grasp it except the purified.

  80. 80

    تَنزِيلࣱ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

    Tanzeelun min rabbi alAAalameena

    A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

  81. 81

    أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدۡهِنُونَ

    Afabihatha alhadeethi antum mudhinoona

    Is it this discourse that you take so lightly?

  82. 82

    وَتَجۡعَلُونَ رِزۡقَكُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ تُكَذِّبُونَ

    WatajAAaloona rizqakum annakum tukaththiboona

    And you make it your livelihood to deny it?

  83. 83

    فَلَوۡلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلۡحُلۡقُومَ

    Falawla itha balaghati alhulqooma

    So when it has reached the throat.

  84. 84

    وَأَنتُمۡ حِينَئِذٖ تَنظُرُونَ

    Waantum heenaithin tanthuroona

    As you are looking on.

  85. 85

    وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبۡصِرُونَ

    Wanahnu aqrabu ilayhi minkum walakin la tubsiroona

    We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see.

  86. 86

    فَلَوۡلَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ غَيۡرَ مَدِينِينَ

    Falawla in kuntum ghayra madeeneena

    If you are not held to account.

  87. 87

    تَرۡجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ

    TarjiAAoonaha in kuntum sadiqeena

    Then bring it back, if you are truthful.

  88. 88

    فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ

    Faamma in kana mina almuqarrabeena

    But if he is one of those brought near.

  89. 89

    فَرَوۡحࣱ وَرَيۡحَانࣱ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٖ

    Farawhun warayhanun wajannatu naAAeemin

    Then happiness, and flowers, and Garden of Delights.

  90. 90

    وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ

    Waamma in kana min ashabi alyameeni

    And if he is one of those on the Right.

  91. 91

    فَسَلَٰمࣱ لَّكَ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ

    Fasalamun laka min ashabi alyameeni

    Then, “Peace upon you,” from those on the Right.

  92. 92

    وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

    Waamma in kana mina almukaththibeena alddalleena

    But if he is one of the deniers, the mistaken.

  93. 93

    فَنُزُلࣱ مِّنۡ حَمِيمٖ

    Fanuzulun min hameemin

    Then a welcome of Inferno.

  94. 94

    وَتَصۡلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ

    Watasliyatu jaheemin

    And burning in Hell.

  95. 95

    إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلۡيَقِينِ

    Inna hatha lahuwa haqqu alyaqeeni

    This is the certain truth.

  96. 96

    فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

    Fasabbih biismi rabbika alAAatheemi

    So glorify the name of your Lord, the Magnificent.

Surah Al-Waqi'ah PDF

The whole surah on printable pages: Arabic, transliteration and English side by side. Free to download, print and share.

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Questions about Surah Al-Waqi'ah

Does reading Surah Waqiah every night prevent poverty?

The popular belief comes from a narration attributed to Ibn Mas'ud that hadith scholars, including Imam Ahmad and al-Albani, have judged weak. Reciting the surah is still rewarded like any reading of the Quran, but this specific promise is not authentically established.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Waqi'ah?

Surah Al-Waqi'ah has 96 verses. It is the 56th surah of the Quran and was revealed in Mecca.

What are the three groups in Surah Waqiah?

Verses 7-10 describe the foremost, who are brought nearest to Allah, the people of the right, who enter Paradise, and the people of the left, who are punished. The surah describes each group's fate in verses 10-56 and returns to them at the moment of death in verses 88-94.

When is the best time to read Surah Waqiah?

There is no authentically established time for it. Many Muslims read it at night, often after Isha, following the weak narration about poverty, and it can be read at any time.