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RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/That Which is Coming

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Annotated Qur'an
Sura 56: That Which is Coming
Word-by-word translation
Alternate translations and related tafsirs
Alternate translations
Previous sura Following sura


Qur'an 56:1[edit]

When the inevitable occurs.

Qur'an 56:1 Notes[edit]

What exactly is this "inevitable" event and what evidence does anyone have for it?

Qur'an 56:2[edit]

Of its occurrence, there is no denial.

Qur'an 56:2 Notes[edit]

There is no clear evidence, but yeah, sure, no denial.

Qur'an 56:3[edit]

Bringing low, raising high.

Qur'an 56:3 Notes[edit]

What does this mean? This is supposed to be a "Clear Book", so what does this mean?

Qur'an 56:4[edit]

When the earth is shaken with a shock.

Qur'an 56:4 Notes[edit]

Earthquakes happen all the time.

Qur'an 56:5[edit]

And the mountains are crushed and crumbled.

Qur'an 56:5 Notes[edit]

Those earthquakes, not so much.

Qur'an 56:6[edit]

And they become scattered dust.

Qur'an 56:6 Notes[edit]

Is this going to be a super-earthquake or a meteor strike or what? Also, are humans supposed to survive this hypothetical cataclysm?

Qur'an 56:7[edit]

And you become three classes.

Qur'an 56:7 Notes[edit]

Dead, dead, and superdead. Supposedly, these immortal things called "souls" can survive even after physical bodies are no more, but what even are souls and does any evidence support their existence?

Qur'an 56:8[edit]

Those on the Right—what of those on the Right?

Qur'an 56:8 Notes[edit]

To the right of what?

Qur'an 56:9[edit]

And those on the Left—what of those on the Left?

Qur'an 56:9 Notes[edit]

Again, to the left of what?

Qur'an 56:10[edit]

And the forerunners, the forerunners.

Qur'an 56:10 Notes[edit]

Centrist supremacy, baby! Rightists and leftists are both left in the dust!

Qur'an 56:11[edit]

Those are the nearest.

Qur'an 56:11 Notes[edit]

The nearest to what? Why does this "Clear Book" not state things clearly enough on its own?

Qur'an 56:12[edit]

In the Gardens of Bliss.

Qur'an 56:12 Notes[edit]

Oh wait, this was about Heaven? In any case, it seems like centrists go to heaven ahead of the right wing and the left wing. HAH!

Qur'an 56:13[edit]

A throng from the ancients.

Qur'an 56:13 Notes[edit]

Which ancients? Who among the ancients specifically?

Qur'an 56:14[edit]

And a small band from the latecomers.

Qur'an 56:14 Notes[edit]

The best way to make sense of this verse would be to say that the vast majority of humans to have ever existed died in the past. Even then, this is far from clear.

Qur'an 56:15[edit]

On luxurious furnishings.

Qur'an 56:15 Notes[edit]

Just like beautiful gardens, fancy furniture exists in this world already.

Qur'an 56:16[edit]

Reclining on them, facing one another.

Qur'an 56:16 Notes[edit]

People can do that in this world now.

Qur'an 56:17[edit]

Serving them will be immortalized youth.

Qur'an 56:17 Notes[edit]

What about those who don't want child servants? What about those who don't want servants at all? Heaven must surely be above the base practice of slavery, right?

Qur'an 56:18[edit]

With cups, pitchers, and sparkling drinks.

Qur'an 56:18 Notes[edit]

All of those exist in this world already.

Qur'an 56:19[edit]

Causing them neither headache, nor intoxication.

Qur'an 56:19 Notes[edit]

Sparkling water and fruit juices do that. They're refreshing, taste better than any alcoholic drinks, and have no negative effects of intoxication or hangovers.

Qur'an 56:20[edit]

And fruits of their choice.

Qur'an 56:20 Notes[edit]

Does this include durians? If so, do other people in heaven have to deal with the awful smell of durians?

Qur'an 56:21[edit]

And meat of birds that they may desire.

Qur'an 56:21 Notes[edit]

What about vegans who don't want animal cruelty in heaven?

Qur'an 56:22[edit]

And lovely companions.

Qur'an 56:22 Notes[edit]

Hopefully, these "lovely companions" are indeed "lovely" enough not to be okay with the vast majority of humans suffering forever while a select few get to enjoy heaven.

Qur'an 56:23[edit]

The likenesses of treasured pearls.

Qur'an 56:23 Notes[edit]

The companions would resemble "treasured pearls"? Pearls are beautiful, so that could make sense that way.

Qur'an 56:24[edit]

As a reward for what they used to do.

Qur'an 56:24 Notes[edit]

This is nice when "what they used to do" mostly boils down to sincerely believing things without proper evidence and accepting this cruel deity's promise to infinitely torture most humans to ever exist.

Qur'an 56:25[edit]

Therein they will hear no nonsense, and no accusations.

Qur'an 56:25 Notes[edit]

That seems lovely to anyone who finds a plethora of "nonsense" and "accusations" in this Quran and in Muhammad's rhetoric.

Qur'an 56:26[edit]

But only the greeting: “Peace, peace.”

Qur'an 56:26 Notes[edit]

Can this peaceful paradise exist on its own without a fallen world or infinite hellfire?

Qur'an 56:27[edit]

And those on the Right—what of those on the Right?

Qur'an 56:27 Notes[edit]

They will hopefully also get the "Mercy" and "Forgiveness" that this god promises to people.

Qur'an 56:28[edit]

In lush orchards.

Qur'an 56:28 Notes[edit]

Is this the same heaven mentioned before? Is this a different heaven or something similar?

Qur'an 56:29[edit]

And sweet-smelling plants.

Qur'an 56:29 Notes[edit]

Sweet-smelling plants are always nice.

Qur'an 56:30[edit]

And extended shade.

Qur'an 56:30 Notes[edit]

Sounds good so far.

Qur'an 56:31[edit]

And outpouring water.

Qur'an 56:31 Notes[edit]

Rivers? Fountains? Either way, sounds good.

Qur'an 56:32[edit]

And abundant fruit.

Qur'an 56:32 Notes[edit]

Is this the same heaven or a different heaven. Be clear!

Qur'an 56:33[edit]

Neither withheld, nor forbidden.

Qur'an 56:33 Notes[edit]

Most people would certainly hope not.

Qur'an 56:34[edit]

And uplifted mattresses.

Qur'an 56:34 Notes[edit]

Are those among the "luxurious furnishings" mentioned earlier?

Qur'an 56:35[edit]

We have created them of special creation.

Qur'an 56:35 Notes[edit]

Whatever that means, this seems hopeful.

Qur'an 56:36[edit]

And made them virgins.

Qur'an 56:36 Notes[edit]

Does this mean that virginity is restored or what?

Qur'an 56:37[edit]

Tender and un-aging.

Qur'an 56:37 Notes[edit]

Does this virginity persist even as those in these heavens enjoy their "companions"?

Qur'an 56:38[edit]

For those on the Right.

Qur'an 56:38 Notes[edit]

Centrists and righties gets it good. Will the pattern continue for leftists?

Qur'an 56:39[edit]

A throng from the ancients.

Qur'an 56:39 Notes[edit]

Just like before.

Qur'an 56:40[edit]

And a throng from the latecomers.

Qur'an 56:40 Notes[edit]

Huh? What does that mean now?

Qur'an 56:41[edit]

And those on the Left—what of those on the Left?

Qur'an 56:41 Notes[edit]

The good people who deserve heaven would certainly hope that nobody suffers infinitely. Those good people would hope that God would make everyone deserve heaven while hell has no reason to exist.

Qur'an 56:42[edit]

Amid searing wind and boiling water.

Qur'an 56:42 Notes[edit]

That was fun while it lasted.

Qur'an 56:43[edit]

And a shadow of thick smoke.

Qur'an 56:43 Notes[edit]

What a "Merciful" and "Forgiving" overlord!

Qur'an 56:44[edit]

Neither cool, nor refreshing.

Qur'an 56:44 Notes[edit]

Apparently, God wants them to suffer endlessly for reasons that the "Clear Book" refuses to make clear.

Qur'an 56:45[edit]

They had lived before that in luxury.

Qur'an 56:45 Notes[edit]

So wait, living a luxurious life in this world is enough to doom people in the next? Is that what the verse is saying?

Qur'an 56:46[edit]

And they used to persist in immense wrongdoing.

Qur'an 56:46 Notes[edit]

This "immense wrongdoing" mostly boils down to being sincerely unconvinced of insane stories. God states repeatedly that he is the one who sets the vast majority of humanity up for failure, by the way.

Qur'an 56:47[edit]

And they used to say, “When we are dead and turned into dust and bones, are we to be resurrected?

Qur'an 56:47 Notes[edit]

This is a valid question considering just how ludicrous such an idea is and how little evidence actually points to this being a possibility.

Qur'an 56:48[edit]

And our ancient ancestors too?”

Qur'an 56:48 Notes[edit]

Another question: What about those people who died long ago, got "turned into dust and bones", and had the exact molecules making up their dusty remains? If the individual molecules that comprised their bodies were later used to comprise the bodies of humans who lived later, would the same molecules come together to make multiple distinct people? This seems like a ridiculous question, but the Quran leads people to ask it by asserting that the dust and bones of every long-dead human could come back together to bring those humans back to life.

Qur'an 56:49[edit]

Say, “The first and the last.

Qur'an 56:49 Notes[edit]

What is this "Clear Verse" supposed to mean?

Qur'an 56:50[edit]

Will be gathered for the appointment of a familiar Day.”

Qur'an 56:50 Notes[edit]

What evidence does anyone have of this being possible?

Qur'an 56:51[edit]

Then you, you misguided, who deny the truth.

Qur'an 56:51 Notes[edit]

Those people whom God has deliberately "misguided" to not see "the truth" as actual truth, you mean?

Qur'an 56:52[edit]

Will be eating from the Tree of Bitterness.

Qur'an 56:52 Notes[edit]

A tree which God has created purely to punish those people for doing exactly what God forced them to do without their knowledge or consent.

Qur'an 56:53[edit]

Will be filling your bellies with it.

Qur'an 56:53 Notes[edit]

God is the one who set everything up. This is all God's doing.

Qur'an 56:54[edit]

Will be drinking on top of it boiling water.

Qur'an 56:54 Notes[edit]

Can God just let some people not suffer? This would be infinitely more "Forgiving" and "Merciful" than letting this torture occur for a second, much less forever! God claims repeatedly to be "the Most Forgiving" and "the Most Merciful" while being considerably less merciful than the merciful humans whom God created himself!

Qur'an 56:55[edit]

Drinking like thirsty camels drink.

Qur'an 56:55 Notes[edit]

Camels typically drink water well below boiling, by the way.

Qur'an 56:56[edit]

That is their hospitality on the Day of Retribution.

Qur'an 56:56 Notes[edit]

That is their horrific, tyrannical despot forced upon them.

Qur'an 56:57[edit]

We created you—if only you would believe!

Qur'an 56:57 Notes[edit]

If only this maximally cruel overlord would allow people to believe or simply not punish sincere disbelief with infinite torture.

Qur'an 56:58[edit]

Have you seen what you ejaculate?

Qur'an 56:58 Notes[edit]

Is this talking about those bodily fluids? The ones that surprisingly do not come from the backbones?

Qur'an 56:59[edit]

Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator?

Qur'an 56:59 Notes[edit]

The evidence for us creating it: It comes from our bodies, often when we want to release it for some reason or another.

The evidence for God creating it: Some poorly written book said so. Some people believe in this God and that this book has any truth to it whatsoever.

Additional points to consider: Humans have been demonstrated to exist. While many people claim to have directly observed God in some way or another, the evidence is shaky at best.

Qur'an 56:60[edit]

We have decreed death among you, and We will not be outstripped.

Qur'an 56:60 Notes[edit]

Nietzsche has decreed death to God. What's your point?

Qur'an 56:61[edit]

In replacing you with your likes, and transforming you into what you do not know.

Qur'an 56:61 Notes[edit]

What people do not know is how verses like this are supposed to make sense or be remotely true.

Qur'an 56:62[edit]

You have known the first formation; if only you would remember.

Qur'an 56:62 Notes[edit]

If only God would allow us to remember instead of repeating this "if only" nonsense. This whole "if only" nonsense doesn't behoove an all-powerful all-knowing being, by the way.

Qur'an 56:63[edit]

Have you seen what you cultivate?

Qur'an 56:63 Notes[edit]

Yes. Has God seen what people cultivate? This book suggests otherwise with its sheer ignorance.

Qur'an 56:64[edit]

Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower?

Qur'an 56:64 Notes[edit]

See verse 59 of this chapter.

Qur'an 56:65[edit]

If We will, We can turn it into rubble; then you will lament.

Qur'an 56:65 Notes[edit]

Thank you for not willing to destroy agriculture as a whole, at least not right now.

Qur'an 56:66[edit]

“We are penalized.

Qur'an 56:66 Notes[edit]

This is what I think to myself whenever I subject myself to reading this book nowadays.

Qur'an 56:67[edit]

No, we are being deprived.”

Qur'an 56:67 Notes[edit]

I am being deprived of brain cells by continuing to read this garbage book.

Qur'an 56:68[edit]

Have you seen the water you drink?

Qur'an 56:68 Notes[edit]

Yes.

Qur'an 56:69[edit]

Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender?

Qur'an 56:69 Notes[edit]

Humans don't typically send water down from clouds, but what evidence does anyone have that a God does it either? Even if God existed, what evidence does anyone have that he chose to release the water and isn't taking credit for a natural phenomenon. People have studied the weather in great detail and can predict rainfall with far greater accuracy than God can predict literally anything at all.

Qur'an 56:70[edit]

If We will, We can make it salty. Will you not be thankful?

Qur'an 56:70 Notes[edit]

Considering how many droughts have led to mass death throughout human history, what kind of thanks does this God want?

Qur'an 56:71[edit]

Have you seen the fire you kindle?

Qur'an 56:71 Notes[edit]

Yes. Also, this verse is worded in such a way that people kindle the fire.

Qur'an 56:72[edit]

Is it you who produce its tree, or are We the Producer?

Qur'an 56:72 Notes[edit]

God is incredibly repetitive. As such, so are these annotations.

Qur'an 56:73[edit]

We have made it a reminder, and a comfort for the users.

Qur'an 56:73 Notes[edit]

The "reminder" that most people would burn in a fire far more agonizing and horrifying than any fire on earth? How is that comforting to anyone? To some of those who sincerely believe in Hell, there is comfort in the idea that they have a minuscule chance to be saved by the same God who condemns most of humanity to it forever.

Qur'an 56:74[edit]

So glorify the Name of your Great Lord.

Qur'an 56:74 Notes[edit]

God is incredibly insecure and would not need puny humans to glorify him if he was remotely glorious and worthy of such praise.

Qur'an 56:75[edit]

I swear by the locations of the stars.

Qur'an 56:75 Notes[edit]

God doesn't know where the stars are located. Many verses in the Bible and the Quran heavily imply (if not state outright) that stars are lights stuck in some solid sky covering the Earth and that these stars are thus smaller than the planet.

Qur'an 56:76[edit]

It is an oath, if you only knew, that is tremendous.

Qur'an 56:76 Notes[edit]

If only those cosmologists knew!

Qur'an 56:77[edit]

It is a noble Quran.

Qur'an 56:77 Notes[edit]

What about it is noble? What?

Qur'an 56:78[edit]

In a well-protected Book.

Qur'an 56:78 Notes[edit]

The Quran is so well-preserved that many textual variations with different meanings exist today. The changes are relatively minor, but "a well-protected Book" should not have them at all.

Qur'an 56:79[edit]

None can grasp it except the purified.

Qur'an 56:79 Notes[edit]

Translation: Nobody can see this pack of lies as truthful except those who already believe in it.

Qur'an 56:80[edit]

A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

Qur'an 56:80 Notes[edit]

Prove that this "Lord of the Worlds" even exists as this "revelation" consistently refuses to do.

Qur'an 56:81[edit]

Is it this discourse that you take so lightly?

Qur'an 56:81 Notes[edit]

Yes.

Qur'an 56:82[edit]

And you make it your livelihood to deny it?

Qur'an 56:82 Notes[edit]

Oh please! This book isn't good enough to take up that much of my life. Denying this one pack of lies isn't enough for me to make it my "livelihood" even if I used to believe it wholeheartedly and see the many dangers of this awful book.

Qur'an 56:83[edit]

So when it has reached the throat.

Qur'an 56:83 Notes[edit]

When what reaches the throat?

Qur'an 56:84[edit]

As you are looking on.

Qur'an 56:84 Notes[edit]

And seeing something more beautiful than this awful "revelation" perhaps?

Qur'an 56:85[edit]

We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see.

Qur'an 56:85 Notes[edit]

Maybe because God doesn't allow us to see? Maybe because God doesn't exist?

Qur'an 56:86[edit]

If you are not held to account.

Qur'an 56:86 Notes[edit]

I would rather be held to account by "the Most Merciful" or "the Most Forgiving" than a cosmic crybaby who tortures people for refusing to kiss up to him.

Qur'an 56:87[edit]

Then bring it back, if you are truthful.

Qur'an 56:87 Notes[edit]

How about you do anything and prove that it was you if you are truthful, God?

Qur'an 56:88[edit]

But if he is one of those brought near.

Qur'an 56:88 Notes[edit]

Brought near what?

Qur'an 56:89[edit]

Then happiness, and flowers, and Garden of Delights.

Qur'an 56:89 Notes[edit]

All of those exist in the real world, by the way.

Qur'an 56:90[edit]

And if he is one of those on the Right.

Qur'an 56:90 Notes[edit]

God could choose to just place everyone on the ambiguous "Right" or not even bother creating anything other than the best.

Qur'an 56:91[edit]

Then, “Peace upon you,” from those on the Right.

Qur'an 56:91 Notes[edit]

Why not "Peace upon everybody to ever exist!" or anything similarly expected of a loving god?

Qur'an 56:92[edit]

But if he is one of the deniers, the mistaken.

Qur'an 56:92 Notes[edit]

Then God is the one who made that happen.

Qur'an 56:93[edit]

Then a welcome of Inferno.

Qur'an 56:93 Notes[edit]

Which God has created and prescribed to those people whom he created just for it.

Qur'an 56:94[edit]

And burning in Hell.

Qur'an 56:94 Notes[edit]

What a lovely god! What a wonderful god!

Qur'an 56:95[edit]

This is the certain truth.

Qur'an 56:95 Notes[edit]

Luckily, it is neither certain or honestly possible.

Qur'an 56:96[edit]

So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Magnificent

Qur'an 56:96 Notes[edit]

I am far too compassionate to do that, as are disbelievers all around the world.