Surah Waqiah PDF

Surah Al-Waqi’ah (Arabic: الواقعة), meaning “The Inevitable Event” or “The Event”, is the 56th chapter of the Quran. Revealed in Mecca, it powerfully emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment, divine justice, and Allah’s absolute power over creation and resurrection.

The Surah divides humanity into three groups based on their deeds and faith, urging reflection on Allah’s signs in nature and the Quran’s divine origin. Known for its vivid imagery of Paradise and Hell, it serves as both a warning and a reminder of eternal accountability.

Widely recited for its spiritual and ethical lessons, Surah Al-Waqi’ah also holds a special place in Islamic tradition for its reported virtues, such as protection from poverty.

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Basic Details of Surah Al-Waqi’ah

Category	Details
Surah Name	Al-Waqi’ah (الواقعة) – “The Inevitable Event”
Chapter Number	56
Place of Revelation	Mecca (Makki Surah)
Juz’ Number	Juz’ 27 (covers verses 1–96)
Number of Verses	96
Rukus (Sections)	3
Key Themes	– Day of Judgment – Divine Power & Creation – Classification of Humanity – Quran as Divine Revelation – Eternal Recompense (Paradise/Hell)
Approx. Words	379
Approx.L etters	1,693
Unique Features	– Divides humanity into 3 groups (Foremost, Righteous, Deniers). – Refutes denial of resurrection through natural proofs. – Contains one of the earliest descriptions of Paradise in the Quran.
Virtues (Hadith)	“Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi’ah every night will never face poverty” (Reported in Sunan Ibn Majah; scholars debate its authenticity).

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Structure of Surah Al-Waqi’ah

1. The Day of Judgment (Verses 1–56)

Begins with a dramatic description of the “Inevitable Event” (Al-Waqi’ah), signaling the collapse of the universe (earthquakes, mountains crumbling, oceans boiling).
Classification of Humanity:
- Three groups are defined based on their faith and deeds:
  - السابقون (The Foremost):
    - The elite believers (prophets, martyrs, and those closest to Allah).
    - Rewarded with “nearest ranks” in Paradise (vv. 10–26).
  - أصحاب اليمين (Companions of the Right):
    - Ordinary believers who upheld faith and goodness.
    - Granted eternal bliss in gardens of delight (vv. 27–40).
  - أصحاب الشمال (Companions of the Left):
    - Disbelievers who rejected truth and oppressed others.
    - Punished in Hellfire with boiling water, darkness, and despair (vv. 41–56).

Proofs of Allah’s Power (Verses 57–74)
- Shifts to rational arguments affirming Allah’s ability to resurrect:
  - Examples from nature:
    - Creation of humans from sperm (v. 58).
    - Growth of plants and trees (vv. 63–67).
    - Water sent from the sky (v. 68).
    - Fire ignited from trees (vv. 71–73).
- Rhetorical questions challenge deniers: “Do you not see?” (v. 63), urging reflection on divine power.
Affirmation of the Quran’s Truth (Verses 75–96)
- Oath by cosmic phenomena (e.g., stars’ positions) to validate the Quran’s divine origin (vv. 75–76).
- Condemns those who dismiss revelation as “sorcery” or “poetry” (v. 81).
- Reiterates the reality of resurrection:
  - Describes the final breath of a dying disbeliever (vv. 83–87).
  - Concludes with a call to glorify Allah (v. 96) and a warning to heed the Quran.

Key Themes of Surah Al-Waqi’ah

Inevitability of the Day of Judgment:
- The surah’s opening jolts readers into acknowledging the unavoidable reality of divine reckoning.
Divine Justice:
- Clear distinction between rewards for believers (Paradise’s luxuries) and punishment for disbelievers (Hell’s torment).
Transient Nature of Worldly Life:
- Contrasts temporary worldly pleasures (e.g., wealth, status) with eternal rewards.
Allah’s Creative Power:
- Uses tangible examples (plants, water, fire) to prove His ability to resurrect the dead.
Quran as Divine Revelation:
- Emphasizes the Quran’s sacredness and warns against rejecting its message.

Meaning of Surah Waqiah

Surah Al-Waqi’ah (Arabic: الواقعة, “The Inevitable Event”) centers on the absolute certainty of the Day of Judgment and its consequences. It challenges humanity to reflect on Allah’s power, the transient nature of worldly life, and the eternal reality of the Hereafter.

Core Message of Surah Al-Waqi’ah

The Day of Judgment is inevitable – a cosmic event reshaping existence, demanding accountability.
Humanity divides into three: the righteous rewarded in Paradise, believers granted bliss, and disbelievers condemned to Hell.
Allah’s power is undeniable – proven through creation (plants, water, fire) and resurrection.
The Quran is divine truth, not human speech; rejecting it invites eternal loss.
Worldly life is fleeting; true success lies in preparing for the eternal Hereafter.
Glorify Allah – the ultimate purpose of existence, as affirmed in its closing verses.

Significant Verses

1. Verses 1–3: The Inevitable Event

Text (56:1–3):
“When the Event (Day of Judgment) strikes – and its occurrence cannot be denied – it will bring humiliation (for some) and exaltation (for others).”

Meaning:
- Opens with a dramatic declaration of the Day of Judgment’s certainty.
- Describes its catastrophic impact: the world’s order collapsing (e.g., mountains crumbling, earth shaking).
- Emphasizes that no one can escape this reality.

2. Verses 7–10: Classification of Humanity

Text (56:7–10):
“You will be divided into three groups: the Companions of the Right – what are the Companions of the Right? And the Companions of the Left – what are the Companions of the Left? And the Foremost (in faith) will be the foremost (in Paradise).”

Meaning:
- Introduces the three groups of humanity based on their deeds:
  1. السابقون (The Foremost): The first to embrace faith (e.g., prophets, martyrs, and righteous pioneers).
  2. أصحاب اليمين (Companions of the Right): Ordinary believers who upheld goodness.
  3. أصحاب الشمال (Companions of the Left): Disbelievers who rejected truth.
- Establishes the principle of divine justice and accountability.

3. Verses 35–38: Rewards for the Righteous

Text (56:35–38):
“We have created their spouses anew and made them virgins, loving and of equal age – for the Companions of the Right.”

Meaning:
- Describes the eternal rewards for believers:
  - Purified spouses: Recreated in perfect form (free from worldly flaws).
  - Eternal youth: No aging or fatigue in Paradise.
  - Luxurious gardens: Symbolizing peace, joy, and divine favor.
- Highlights Allah’s generosity to those who prioritized faith.

4. Verses 58–72: Proofs of Divine Power

Text (56:58–72):
“Have you considered what you emit (sperm)? Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator? … Have you seen the fire you kindle? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the Producer?”

Meaning:
- Uses rational arguments to refute denial of resurrection:
  - Questions humanity’s inability to create even basic elements (sperm, plants, water, fire).
  - Highlights Allah’s role as the sole Creator, proving His power to resurrect the dead.
- Challenges arrogance and invites reflection.

5. Verses 95–96: Affirmation of Truth

Text (56:95–96):
“Indeed, this is the absolute truth. So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.”

Meaning:
- Concludes with a solemn oath affirming the Quran’s divine origin.
- Calls believers to glorify Allah, reinforcing the surah’s central message: truth and accountability.

Surah Al-Waqi’ah: A Source of…

Spiritual Protection:
- Reported Virtue: A hadith states, “Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi’ah every night will never suffer poverty” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3846). However, scholars like Al-Albani graded this hadith as da’if (weak), urging reliance on Allah alone.
Reflection on the Hereafter:
- Key Themes: The Surah’s vivid descriptions of Paradise (56:35–40) and Hell (56:41–56) serve as a source of motivation to prioritize good deeds and avoid sin.
Affirmation of Divine Power:
- Rational Proofs: By highlighting Allah’s creation (humans, plants, water, fire – 56:57–73), it becomes a source of intellectual conviction in resurrection and divine omnipotence.
Gratitude and Trust:
- Practical Lessons: Its emphasis on Allah’s provision (e.g., water, crops) inspires gratitude (shukr) and trust (tawakkul) in His sustenance.
Quranic Authority:

Divine Validation: The Surah affirms the Quran as revelation (56:75–80), making it a source of faith-strengthening against doubts.

Famous Quotes about Surah Waqiah

1. The Inevitable Event (Verses 1–3)

Arabic:
إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ
لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ

Translation:
“When the Inevitable Event occurs,
there is no denying its happening,
bringing low and raising high.”
(Sahih International)

Significance:
Opens with a stark declaration of the Day of Judgment’s certainty and transformative power.

2. Classification of Humanity (Verses 7–10)

Arabic:
وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً
فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ
وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ
وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ

Translation:
“And you will be three kinds:
those on the right—what are those on the right?
And those on the left—what are those on the left?
And the foremost (in faith) will be the foremost (in Paradise).”

Significance:
Defines humanity’s eternal fate based on faith and deeds.

3. Eternal Rewards (Verses 35–38)

Arabic:
إِنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً
فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا
عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا
لِّأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ

Translation:
“Indeed, We have produced them (the companions of Paradise) in a new creation,
and made them virgins,
devoted and equal in age,
for the companions of the right.”

Significance:
Describes the purified, eternal companions and blessings awaiting righteous believers.

4. Hell’s Torment (Verses 41–44)

Arabic:
وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ
فِي سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ
وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ
لَّا بَارِدٍ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ

Translation:
“But the companions of the left—what are the companions of the left?
They will be in scorching fire and scalding water,
and a shade of black smoke,
neither cool nor refreshing.”

Significance:
Vividly depicts the suffering of disbelievers in Hell.

5. Proof of Resurrection (Verses 57–59)

Arabic:
نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ
أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ
أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ

Translation:
“We created you, so why do you not believe?
Have you seen what you emit?
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?”

Significance:
Challenges deniers to reflect on Allah’s power to create and resurrect.

6. Divine Power Over Nature (Verses 68–70)

Arabic:
أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ
أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ
لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ

Translation:
“Have you seen the water you drink?
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We Who send it?
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?”

Significance:
Highlights Allah’s control over sustenance and calls for gratitude.

7. Final Affirmation (Verses 95–96)

Arabic:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ

Translation:
“Indeed, this is the absolute truth.
So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.”Significance:
Concludes with a powerful oath affirming the Quran’s divine truth.

Benefits of Surah Waqiah

1. Spiritual Benefits

Reflection on the Hereafter:
The Surah’s vivid descriptions of Paradise (56:35–40) and Hell (56:41–56) deepen awareness of eternal accountability, motivating believers to prioritize good deeds.
Strengthening Faith in Divine Power:
Its emphasis on Allah’s creation (e.g., plants, water, fire – 56:57–73) reinforces belief in His ability to resurrect and provide sustenance.

2. Reported Virtues (Hadith)

Protection from Poverty:
A hadith states, “Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi’ah every night will never suffer poverty” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3846). However, scholars like Al-Albani graded this narration as weak (da’if).
- Scholarly Advice: While some Muslims recite it for blessings, reliance should be on Allah alone, not merely ritual recitation.

3. Psychological Benefits

Reduces Fear of Poverty:
By affirming Allah’s role as the Provider (56:68–73), it instills trust (tawakkul) in His sustenance.
Balances Hope and Fear:
Descriptions of Paradise inspire hope, while warnings of Hell foster mindfulness of sin.

4. Practical Lessons

Gratitude (Shukr): Reflects on Allah’s blessings (e.g., water, crops) to cultivate thankfulness.
Detachment from Materialism: Contrasts fleeting worldly life with eternal rewards, encouraging simplicity and charity.

How to Memorize Surah Al-Waqi’ah?

Break It Down:
- Divide the surah into 3 sections (as per its structure):
  - Verses 1–56 (Day of Judgment & classification of people).
  - Verses 57–74 (Proofs of Allah’s power).
  - Verses 75–96 (Affirmation of the Quran’s truth).
Daily Routine:
- Listen First: Play a recitation (e.g., Mishary Rashid) to grasp pronunciation (Tajweed).
- Repeat Verses: Recite each verse 10–15 times until memorized.
- Write It Down: Writing reinforces memory.
- Revise Daily: Review previous sections before starting new ones.
Use Visual Aids:
- Highlight verses in a physical Quran or app (e.g., Muslim Pro).
Understand the Meaning:
- Study the Tafsir (e.g., Ibn Kathir) to connect verses with their message.
Pray for Ease:

Make dua: “رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا” (“My Lord, increase me in knowledge” – Quran 20:114).

4-Week Memorization Schedule

Week	Daily Target	Focus Section	Revision
1	5–7 verses/day	Verses 1–56 (Section 1)	Previous day’s verses
2	5–7 verses/day	Verses 57–74 (Section 2)	Sections 1 + new verses
3	5–7 verses/day	Verses 75–96 (Section 3)	Sections 1–2 + new verses
4	Full surah repetition	Entire Surah (1–96)	Daily full recitation

Historical and Contextual Insights

1. Revelation Context

Period: Revealed in Mecca (Makki Surah), during the early phase of Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) prophethood.
Audience: Addressed to the Quraysh pagans, who denied resurrection and mocked the concept of the Afterlife.
Key Challenge: Meccan elites rejected the idea of bodily resurrection, asking, “Who will give life to bones when they have decayed?” (Quran 36:78). Surah Al-Waqi’ah directly refutes this skepticism.

2. Purpose of Revelation

Affirm the Afterlife: Uses logical arguments (e.g., creation of plants, humans) to prove Allah’s power to resurrect (vv. 57–74).
Warn the Deniers: Describes Hell’s torment (vv. 41–56) to shake their arrogance.
Comfort Believers: Promises eternal rewards to the oppressed early Muslims (vv. 10–26).

3. Structure & Meccan Style

Rhetorical Questions: “Have you seen what you emit?” (v. 58) forces reflection, a hallmark of Meccan Surahs.
Vivid Imagery: Cosmic collapse (vv. 1–6), Paradise, and Hell descriptions aimed to provoke emotional and intellectual response.
Short, Impactful Verses: Typical of Meccan revelations for easy memorization and oral transmission.

How many times should I recite Surah Waqiah a Day?

No Fixed Daily Requirement:
- Islam does not prescribe a specific number of times to recite any Surah daily, including Al-Waqi’ah.
Quality Over Quantity:
- Focus on understanding and reflecting on its message rather than ritual repetition.
Reported Practice:
- A weak hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah 3846) suggests reciting it nightly for protection from poverty, but scholars advise not relying on this due to its weak chain.
Recommended Approach:
- Recite it once daily (e.g., after Maghrib or before sleep) with focus and humility.
- Pair it with sincere dua and good deeds for sustenance.
Key Principle:

The Quran is for guidance, not magic. Prioritize consistency in recitation, gratitude (shukr), and trust in Allah (tawakkul).

Important lessons of Waqiah

1. The Certainty of the Day of Judgment

The Surah opens by declaring the inevitability of the “Event” (الواقعة), teaching that denial of the Hereafter is irrational. Life’s ultimate purpose is accountability (v. 1–6).

2. Deeds Determine Eternal Fate

Humanity is divided into three groups (vv. 7–56):
- السابقون (The Foremost): Rewarded for their exceptional faith and sacrifice.
- أصحاب اليمين (Companions of the Right): Blessed for their belief and good deeds.
- أصحاب الشمال (Companions of the Left): Punished for rejecting truth.
- Lesson: Worldly status (wealth, lineage) holds no value; only faith and actions matter.

3. Allah’s Power Over Creation

The Surah challenges deniers with proofs of Allah’s sovereignty:
- Creation of humans from sperm (v. 58).
- Growth of plants (v. 63) and control over water (v. 68) and fire (v. 71).
- Lesson: If Allah can create life from nothing, He can resurrect it (vv. 57–74).

4. Gratitude for Divine Blessings

Reflects on Allah’s provisions (water, crops, fire) to instill shukr (gratitude) and reject arrogance (v. 68–73).

5. Quran as Divine Guidance

Affirms the Quran’s sacred origin (v. 75–80) and condemns those who dismiss it as “sorcery” or “myths” (v. 81).
- Lesson: Prioritize the Quran as a moral compass, not worldly opinions.

6. Detachment from Materialism

Contrasts fleeting worldly gains with eternal rewards (Paradise’s delights vs. Hell’s torment).
- Lesson: Wealth is a test; true success lies in preparing for the Hereafter.

7. Balance of Hope and Fear

Descriptions of Paradise inspire hope in Allah’s mercy, while warnings of Hell instill fear of His justice.
- Lesson: A balanced believer lives between these two states (Quran 56:95–96).

8. Avoid Arrogance

Rhetorical questions (e.g., “Who creates the water you drink?” – v. 68) dismantle human pride.
- Lesson: Humility is key to faith.

9. Trust in Divine Provision

Despite the weak hadith about Surah Al-Waqi’ah and wealth, the Surah’s core message is to trust Allah as the sole Provider (v. 58–73), not rituals.

10. Prioritize the Afterlife

The Surah’s vivid imagery is a call to invest in eternal life through worship, charity, and sincerity.

FAQs

Conclusion

Inevitable Reality: The Day of Judgment is certain – a divine reckoning no soul can escape.
Divine Justice: Eternal fate hinges on faith and deeds, not worldly status or wealth.
Allah’s Sovereignty: His power to create (humans, nature) proves His power to resurrect.
Quran as Truth: A sacred revelation, not human speech – rejecting it invites eternal loss.
Call to Action: Live mindfully of the Hereafter, prioritize good deeds, and glorify Allah.

Final Verse (56:95–96):
“This is the absolute truth. So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.”