الواقعة
The Inevitable
Explanations are simplified from tafsirs by Ibn Kathir, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know.
ʿalā an nubaddila amthālakum wanunshi-akum fī mā lā taʿlamūna
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
walaqad ʿalim'tumu l-nashata l-ūlā falawlā tadhakkarūna
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
afara-aytum mā taḥruthūna
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
a-antum tazraʿūnahu am naḥnu l-zāriʿūna
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
law nashāu lajaʿalnāhu ḥuṭāman faẓaltum tafakkahūna
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
innā lamugh'ramūna
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
bal naḥnu maḥrūmūna
Rather, we have been deprived."
afara-aytumu l-māa alladhī tashrabūna
And have you seen the water that you drink?
a-antum anzaltumūhu mina l-muz'ni am naḥnu l-munzilūna
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
law nashāu jaʿalnāhu ujājan falawlā tashkurūna
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
afara-aytumu l-nāra allatī tūrūna
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
a-antum anshatum shajaratahā am naḥnu l-munshiūna
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
naḥnu jaʿalnāhā tadhkiratan wamatāʿan lil'muq'wīna
We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,
fasabbiḥ bi-is'mi rabbika l-ʿaẓīmi
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
falā uq'simu bimawāqiʿi l-nujūmi
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
wa-innahu laqasamun law taʿlamūna ʿaẓīmun
And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.
innahu laqur'ānun karīmun
Indeed, it is a noble Qur’ān.
fī kitābin maknūnin
In a Register well-protected;.
lā yamassuhu illā l-muṭaharūna
None touch it except the purified [i.e., the angels].
tanzīlun min rabbi l-ʿālamīna
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.