Interpreting Surah Al-Waqiah – Literal or Metaphorical?

[Mazhar]

Hi;

1- The Quran says that all verses are clear and explicit. However, it also states that some verses have secondary and tertiary meanings as well as their clear meanings. That is, first we will believe in what is clearly stated, and then we will ponder the representational meanings of the same verse, if any:

https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9612773.msg445412#msg445412

2- Descriptions of Paradise and Hell are also literal, real narrations. However, these narrations present a small part of the whole, that is, examples. A certain section of the trillions of blessings in Paradise is presented. Indeed, the expression "in it is for them whatever their selves desire and delights the eyes" shows that the counterparts of all beauties in the world also exist in the hereafter. This includes all beauties from reading books to playing chess. And again, there are also secondary or tertiary meanings represented by the same verses. For example, the expression "prepare war horses to terrify the enemy" represents both literal war horses, and figuratively tanks, planes, nuclear weapons, war drones, and robots. For instance, the rivers of Paradise represent both literal rivers and, figuratively, lakes, oceans, and many other blessings, as I explained in my writing here:

https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9612812.msg445729#msg445729

I agree. Well said dear.

I have segmented Sura in paragraphs/Frames. First frame Ayah 1 to 9.

The overall rhetorical and communicative impact of First Paragraph of Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:1-9) is profound, employing a combination of apocalyptic imagery, suspense, contrast, and interrogative emphasis to achieve several communicative objectives.

This passage is not merely informational; it is transformational. It forces the listener to confront reality—there is no escape, only a choice: Do you want to be of the Right or the Left?

My attempted translation taking care of rhetorical value indicated by elisions and by reference to discussion  on this subject else where (تدبر and تصریف)۔

وَكُنتُـمْ أَزْوَٟجٙا ثَلَٟثَةٙ ٧فَأَصْحَـٟـبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ مَآ أَصْحَـٟـبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ ٨وَأَصْحَـٟـبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَـٟـبُ ٱلْمَشْـٔ�مَةِ ٩
And you people shall be divided into three distinct categories—[56:07] Thereat, the reception granted to the Companions of the Right shall reveal what an honourable and exalted status for the Companions of the Right![56:08] (Read with 36:58) And the arrest and handcuffing and chaining the companions of the Left shall reveal what a disgracing and utter shame for the companions of the "Left Handed"! [56:09]

اور از سر نو حیات دئیے جانے پر تم لوگ تین منفرد گروہوں میں منقسم کر دئیے جاؤ گے۔تب، داہنی جانب والوں کو عطا کردہ استقبال نمایاں
 کر دے گا کہ داہنی جانب والوں کا کیا ہی معزز اور بلند مرتبہ مقام ہے!اور بائیں جانب والوں کی گرفتاری، ہتھکڑی اور زنجیروں میں جکڑ دینا نمایاں کر دے گا کہ بائیں جانب والوں کے لیے کیا ہی ذلت آمیز اور شرمناک انجام ہے!(الواقعہ۔٩)