When the Event befalls,

— There is no denying its befalling —

Abasing, exalting;

When the earth is shaken with convulsion,

And the mountains crumble away

And are dust dispersing,

And you will be three kinds:

The companions of the right! — what of the companions of the right? —

And the companions of the left! — what of the companions of the left? —

And the foremost! The foremost:

Those are they brought near,

In the Gardens of Bliss,

(A multitude of the former peoples,

And a few of the latter)

On jewel-woven couches,

Reclining upon them, facing one another.

Circulating among them are youths made eternal

With cups, and jugs, and a glass from a running spring,

Wherefrom they have no headache, nor are they intoxicated;

And such fruit as they choose,

And such flesh of fowl as they desire,

And pure, lustrous-eyed maidens,

As the likeness of hidden pearls

As reward for what they did.

They hear therein neither vain speech, nor cause of sin,

Only the saying: “Peace! Peace!”

And the companions of the right! — what of the companions on the right? —

Among thornless lote trees,

And acacias layered,

And shade extended,

And water poured forth,

And fruit abounding,

Unfailing, unforbidden,

And couches raised high.

We have produced them in a new creation

And made them virgins,

Devoted, well-matched,

For the companions of the right:

A multitude of the former peoples,

And a multitude of the latter.

And the companions of the left! What of the companions of the left?

In scorching wind and scalding water,

And a shadow of black smoke,

Neither cool nor noble.

They were, before that, opulent,

And persisted in the Great Perjury,

And said: “When we are dead and are dust and bones, will we be raised,

“Or our fathers of former times?”

Say thou: “The former peoples and the latter

“Will be gathered together at the appointed time of a known day.”

Then you, O you, the straying and the denying,

You will eat of a tree of Zaqqūm,

And fill your bellies therewith,

And drink on top of that of the scalding water,

And drink as the thirst-wracked camels drink.

This is their welcome on the Day of Judgment.

We created you. Oh, that you but gave credence!

Have you considered what you emit?

Did you create it or are We the creators?

We have decreed death among you; and We will not be outrun,

That We will change your likenesses, and produce you in what you know not.

And you have known the former creation. Oh, that you but took heed!

Have you considered that which you sow?

Is it you who cause it to grow or are We the growers?

If We willed, We could make it debris, and you would remain bitterly jesting:

“We are debt-laden!

“Nay, we have been deprived!”

Have you considered the water which you drink?

Is it you who sent it down from the rain clouds or are We the senders?

If We willed, We could make it bitter. Oh, that you were but grateful!

Have you considered the fire which you light?

Did you produce the tree thereof or were We the producers?

We made it a reminder, and a benefit for the desert-travellers.

So give thou glory with the name of thy Lord, the Great!

Then I swear by the setting of the stars:

— And it is a tremendous oath, if you but knew —

It is a noble recitation

In a hidden Writ,

— None will touch it save those purified—

A revelation from the Lord of All Creation!

Is it then this narration you disdain

And make denial thereof your livelihood?

Oh, that when it reaches the throat!

But you at that time will look on.

And We were nearer to it than you, but you saw not.

Oh, that — if you are to be without recompense —

You but sent it back, if you be truthful!

Then if he be of those brought near:

Then rest, and plenty, and a garden of bliss.

And if he be of the companions of the right:

“Peace for thee, among the companions of the right!”

And if he be of the denying and the straying:

A welcome of scalding water,

And burning in Hell.

This is the truth of certainty.

So give thou glory with the name of thy Lord, the Great!