In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. 'Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Waqi'ah.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -” (56:75)
“And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew -” (56:76)
"So I swear by the setting of the stars and their positions in the sky."
This oath that I have sworn—
is an oath, if you only knew its nature and its magnitude—
is a momentous oath.
This is a case of a delayed expression that is intended to be understood as preceding the subject.
It is indeed a momentous oath, if you only knew its magnitude.
"Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an."
"In a protected Book."
“Which none toucheth save the purified,” (56:79)
"A revelation from the Lord of the worlds."
“Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -” (56:75)
This Qur'an is indeed a noble Qur'an.
It resides in a preserved Book in the presence of Allah.
It is not touched by anything, neither dust nor anything else.
No one touches that protected Book—
except those whom Allah has purified from sins.
This Qur'an is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
“Is it this Statement that ye scorn,” (56:81)
“And make denial thereof your livelihood?” (56:82)
Are you, O people, treating this Qur'an, whose nature I have just described to you—
with such indifference, while you appease those who deny it?
And do you respond to Allah’s provision for you with denial?
It is like the saying of another:
"I offered you kindness, and you returned it with offense toward me."
“Why, then, when (the soul) cometh up to the throat (of the dying)” (56:83)
"And you are, at that moment, looking on."
“- And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -” (56:85)
Why then, when the soul reaches the throat at the time of death, O people—
and those of you present from among their family are looking on—
while Our messengers, who take the soul, are closer to him than you—
yet you do not see them?
“Why then, if ye are not in bondage (unto Us),” (56:86)
“Do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful?” (56:87)
Why then, if you, O people, are not to be held accountable and recompensed for your deeds—
do you not return that soul to its body—
if you are truthful and can prevent death, accountability, and recompense?
“Thus if he is of those brought nigh,” (56:88)
"Then [for him is] rest, bounty, and a garden of bliss."
As for the deceased, if he is among those brought near to Allah—
those whom Allah has drawn close to His proximity in His gardens—
then for him is mercy, forgiveness, and wholesome, pleasant provision.
Their souls depart their bodies at death with a fragrance they inhale.
Along with that, he has a garden of bliss in which he enjoys himself.
"But if he is of the companions of the right—"
“Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto thee" from those on the right hand.” (56:91)
And if the deceased is among the companions of the right—
those who are led to Paradise from their right side—
"Then [the greeting], 'Peace be upon you,' from the companions of the right."
You are safe from the punishment of Allah and from all that you dislike—
because you are among the companions of the right.
“But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,” (56:92)
"Then [for him is] a meal of scalding water."
"And burning in Hellfire."
But if the deceased is among those who denied the signs of Allah—
then for him is a meal of scalding water—
which has been heated until its temperature is extreme, and it is his drink.
And the burning of the Fire with which he is scorched.
“Lo! this is certain truth.” (56:95)
"So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great."
This information that I have conveyed to you, O people—
regarding those brought near, the companions of the right, and the deniers—
is the absolute truth, in which there is no doubt.
So glorify your Lord, the Most Great, by His most beautiful names.