Surah Al-Waqi'a


Surah Waqi'a takes its name from the word' Al-Waqi'ah, which translates to 'The Event' or 'The Inevitable'. It is the 56th Surah of the Quran, situated in the 27th Juz (Para) of the Holy Quran. The Surah is 96 verses and 3 ruku' long and is a Makki Surah. Surah Waqi'a was revealed as a warning from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to the non-believers who disregarded the Day of Judgement and raised suspicions regarding the Holy Quran. This Surah explains the truth about the Day of Judgement and the concept of Tawheed in addition to nullifying the disbelievers' suspicions towards the Quran.

٥٦ - ٱلْوَاقِعَة

56 - Al-Waqi'a

اِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَۃُ۝۱ۙ
Itha waqaAAati alwaqiAAatu

English

Ahmed Ali

WHEN WHAT IS to happen comes to pass --

1

لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِہَا كَاذِبَۃٌ۝۲ۘ
Laysa liwaqAAatiha kathibatun

English

Ahmed Ali

Which is bound to happen undoubtedly --

2

خَافِضَۃٌ رَّافِعَۃٌ۝۳ۙ
Khafidatun rafiAAatun

English

Ahmed Ali

Degrading (some) and exalting (others);

3

اِذَا رُجَّتِ الْاَرْضُ رَجًّا۝۴ۙ
Itha rujjati alardu rajjan

English

Ahmed Ali

When the earth is shaken up convulsively,

4

وَّبُسَّتِ الْجِبَالُ بَسًّا۝۵ۙ
Wabussati aljibalu bassan

English

Ahmed Ali

The mountains bruised and crushed,

5

فَكَانَتْ ہَبَاۗءً مُّنْۢبَثًّا۝۶ۙ
Fakanat habaan munbaththan

English

Ahmed Ali

Turned to dust, floating in the air,

6

وَّكُنْتُمْ اَزْوَاجًا ثَلٰثَۃً۝۷ۭ
Wakuntum azwajan thalathatan

English

Ahmed Ali

You will become three categories:

7

فَاَصْحٰبُ الْمَيْمَنَۃِ۝۰ۥۙ مَاۗ اَصْحٰبُ الْمَيْمَنَۃِ۝۸ۭ
Faashabu almaymanati ma ashabu almaymanati

English

Ahmed Ali

Those of the right hand -- how (happy) will be those of the right hand!

8

وَاَصْحٰبُ الْمَشْـَٔــمَۃِ۝۰ۥۙ مَاۗ اَصْحٰبُ الْمَشْــَٔــمَۃِ۝۹ۭ
Waashabu almashamati ma ashabu almashamati

English

Ahmed Ali

Then those of the left hand -- how (unhappy) will be those of the left hand!

9

وَالسّٰبِقُوْنَ السّٰبِقُوْنَ۝۱۰ۚۙ
Waalssabiqoona alssabiqoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Then the foremost, how pre-excellent,

10

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Waqi'a


The main theme of Surah Waqi'a remains The Day of Judgement and the life after death, i.e., The Hereafter. It highlights the trials and tribulations humans will face on the day of judgment. The Surah was in response to the disbelievers who shunned the idea of such a day and openly denounced the belief in resurrection and the afterlife as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). 


The Surah then explains the division of people into three different classes on the Day of Judgement: 'the foremost,' 'the companions of the right,' and' the people of the left.' Among the three, the first two will be entered into Paradise, whereas the latter will be thrown into Hell. The foremost have been described as the people closest to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The Surah sheds light on how these different classes of people will be treated that day.


Surah Waqi'a highlights the fact that sustenance comes entirely from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and how humans survive and live on the provisions provided by Him. It reminds the disbelievers of the countless blessings of The Creator and how a human is nothing without Him. Surah Waqi'ah further explains the truthfulness of the Holy Quran and how it is a matchless piece of guidance for man to live by and that this book has been written by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and is out of any creature's reach.


Virtues and Benefits of Surah Waqi'a


Surah Waqi'a is also known as the "Surah of Wealth" since it's known to bring abundance and prosperity to the reciter(s). Although there are no direct hadiths regarding this matter, scholars believe that reciting Surah Waqi'ah alleviates poverty and relieves financial afflictions. The Surah promises sustenance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى); reciting the Surah, one believes in the promise of Allah and HIS magnificence in providing food, water, means of earning, and all forms of sustenance for humankind.