Surah Al-Waaqia (سُورَةُ الوَاقِعَةِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Al-Waaqia — the 56th chapter of the Quran with 96 verses. The Inevitable. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Al-Waaqia (سُورَةُ الوَاقِعَةِ) — "The Inevitable" is the 56th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 96 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ
WHEN THAT which must come to pass [at last] comes to pass,
Verse 2
لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
there will be nought that could give the lie to its having come to pass,
Verse 3
خَافِضَةٌۭ رَّافِعَةٌ
abasing [some], exalting [others]!
Verse 4
إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ رَجًّۭا
When the earth is shaken with a shaking [severe],
Verse 5
وَبُسَّتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ بَسًّۭا
and the mountains are shattered into [countless] shards,
Verse 6
فَكَانَتْ هَبَآءًۭ مُّنۢبَثًّۭا
so that they become as scattered dust –
Verse 7
وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا ثَلَٰثَةًۭ
[on that Day,] then, shall you be [divided into] three kinds.
Verse 8
فَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ
Thus, there shall be such as will have attained to what is right: oh, how [happy] will be they who have attained to what is right!
Verse 9
وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ
And there shall be such as will have lost themselves in evil: oh, how [unhappy] will be they who have lost themselves in evil!
Verse 10
وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ
But the foremost shall be [they who in life were] the foremost [in faith and good works]:
...and 86 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.
Key Themes
The surah of Al-Waaqia (The Inevitable) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.
Virtues of Reading This Surah
Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari
Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Al-Waaqia as part of your daily Quran reading.
How to Recite
- Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
- Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
- Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
- Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
- Reflect on the meaning as you recite
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was Surah Al-Waaqia revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Waaqia have? It contains 96 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "The Inevitable" mean? The name "Al-Waaqia" translates to "The Inevitable" in English.