الواقعة

56 - The Inevitable (Al-Waaqe'ah)

Order of Revelation: 46

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

Transliteration:

Nahnu qaddarna baynakumu almawta wama nahnu bimasbooqeena

Word by Word:

We [We] have decreed among you the death and not We (are) outrun,

Translations:

We have [indeed] decreed that death shall be [ever-present] among you: but there is nothing to prevent Us

We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated

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

We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,

We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone

عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Transliteration:

AAala an nubaddila amthalakum wanunshi-akum fee ma la taAAlamoona

Word by Word:

In that We (will) change your likeness[es] and produce you in what not you know.

Translations:

from changing the nature of your existence and bringing you into being [anew] in a manner [as yet] unknown to you.

from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.

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

That We may change your state and make you grow into what you know not.

In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Transliteration:

Walaqad AAalimtumu alnnash-ata al-oola falawla tathakkaroona

Word by Word:

And certainly you know the creation the first, so why not you take heed?

Translations:

And [since] you are indeed aware of the [miracle of your] coming into being in the first instance - why, then, do you not bethink yourselves [of Us]?

And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?

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

And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?

And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?

أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ

Transliteration:

Afaraaytum ma tahruthoona

Word by Word:

And do you see what you sow?

Translations:

Have you ever considered the seed which you cast upon the soil?

See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground?

Have ye seen that which ye cultivate?

See you what you sow?

And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?

أَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ

Transliteration:

Aantum tazraAAoonahu am nahnu alzzariAAoona

Word by Word:

Is it you (who) cause it to grow or (are) We the Ones Who grow?

Translations:

Is it you who cause it to grow - or are We the cause of its growth?

Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?

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

Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the Causer of growth?

Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?

لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ

Transliteration:

Law nashao lajaAAalnahu hutaman fathaltum tafakkahoona

Word by Word:

If We willed We (would) surely, make it debris, then you would remain wondering,

Translations:

[For,] were it Our will, We could indeed turn it into chaff, and you would be left to wonder [and to lament],

Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,

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

If We pleased, We would make it chaff, then would you lament:

If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,