535 Page Notes

56 Surah Al-Waqiah (continued)

Page 535 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 535 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Surah Al-Waqi'ah (Chapter 56), Verses 17 through 50 is in page 535 in the standard Madinah mushaf (Quran). This extensive passage provides a stark, structural contrast between two distinct groups of people in the afterlife:

1. The Forerunners/Elite (As-Sabiqun): Detailed in verses 17–26 through their immortal youth, vessels of pure heavenly wine, fresh fruits, and peaceful greetings.

2. The Companions of the Left (Ashab al-Shimal): Detailed in verses 41–50 through their agonizing punishment amidst scorching winds, boiling water, and shadows of black smoke.

The authentic Hadiths and prophetic traditions linked to this specific passage clarify the nature of heavenly rewards and detail the precise vices that lead to the downfall of the Companions of the Left.

1. The Delights of the Elite (Verses 17–26)

Verses 17–19: Heavenly Wine and Eternal Youth

“There will circulate among them immortal boys with vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring—no headache will they have from it, nor will they be intoxicated.”

The Sunnah explicitly distinguishes the wine of Paradise from the toxic, mind-altering alcohol of the material world, validating the text's description of a drink free from physical pain or hangover.

• Sunnah Link on Worldly Wine vs. Heavenly Wine: In Sahih al-Bukhari, Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said:
  “Whoever drinks wine in this world and does not repent from it will be forbidden from drinking it in the Hereafter.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 74, Hadith 5579; Sahih Muslim, Book 36, Hadith 73).

• The Nature of the Vessel: Regarding the "vessels and pitchers" (akwab wa abariq), the Prophet noted that the drinking utensils of the elite will outnumber the stars in the sky and will be constructed of pure, flawless gold and silver that shine like crystal.

Verses 20–21: Heavenly Flesh and Fowl

“And fruit of what they select and the meat of fowl from whatever they desire.”

• Sunnah Link on Desiring the Fowl: The Prophet explained how dynamically the food of Paradise responds to the inner thoughts of the believer. In a tradition recorded in Musnad Ahmad, Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet said: "You will look at a bird in Paradise and desire it, and it will immediately fall down before you roasted and ready to eat." (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 13397).

Verses 25–26: The Complete Absence of Vain Talk

“They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin—only a saying: 'Peace, peace' (Salam, Salam).”

• Sunnah Link on the Speech of Paradise: The Prophet noted that the inhabitants of Paradise are entirely stripped of malice, sarcasm, or foul language. In Sahih al-Bukhari, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “Their speech therein will be the glorification of Allah... and their greeting to one another will be Peace.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3327).

2. The Punishment of the Companions of the Left (Verses 41–50)

Verses 42–44: The Shadow of Black Smoke

“In scorching wind and scalding water and a shade of black smoke, neither cool nor noble.”

The Prophet utilized these verses to warn his companions that the environmental conditions facing the wrongdoers are completely devoid of relief.

• Sunnah Link on the Intensity of the Heat: The Prophet compared the physical intensity of earthly fire to the "scorching wind" (samum) of the afterlife. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  “Your ordinary fire is one of seventy parts of the fire of Hell.” Someone said, "O Messenger of Allah, this worldly fire would have been sufficient!" He replied, "It is sixty-nine times more intense than earthly fire, each part being equally hot.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 59, Hadith 3265; Sahih Muslim, Book 53, Hadith 31).

Verses 45–46: The Root Causes of Destruction

“Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence (Mutrafin). And they used to persist in the great violation.”

The Sunnah explicitly breaks down the two historical sins mentioned here: systemic, arrogant over-indulgence (Itraf) and the "great violation" (al-hinth al-adheem), which the companions identified as Shirk (associating partners with Allah).

• Sunnah Link on Arrogant Affluence: The Prophet routinely warned that hoarding luxury while neglecting the needy is a primary pathway to becoming a "Companion of the Left." In Sahih al-Bukhari, Harithah ibn Wahb narrated that he heard the Prophet say: "Shall I tell you who the people of Hell are? They are every cruel, arrogant, and greedy person [who hoards wealth and refuses to give to charity]." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 6071).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. Sahih al-Bukhari. (Hadiths on the prohibition of worldly wine, the cosmic intensity of Hellfire, the psychological state of the people of Paradise, and the profile of arrogant/greedy individuals).

• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim. (Hadith regarding the multiplication of Hell's heat compared to earthly fire).

• Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Musnad Ahmad. (Prophetic description concerning the birds of Paradise responding directly to human desire).