As a keyword, "Al-Waqi'ah" functions as a proper noun. It is the title of the 56th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an. The term is composed of the Arabic definite article "Al-" (The) and the noun "Waqi'ah," which translates to "The Inevitable Event," "The Occurrence," or "The Calamity." The name directly refers to the central theme of the chapter: the Day of Judgment.
The surah's content elaborates on the certainty of this event, describing how humanity will be divided into three distinct groups on that day. These groups are the "Foremost" (as-Sabiqun), who are closest to God; the "Companions of the Right" (Ashab al-Yamin), who are righteous believers; and the "Companions of the Left" (Ashab al-Shimal), who are the disbelievers. The text provides vivid descriptions of the rewards awaiting the first two groups in paradise and the punishments for the third. It further presents arguments for God's power to resurrect by citing evidence from the natural world, such as human creation, agriculture, water, and fire.
The theological significance of the chapter lies in its role as a powerful eschatological reminder of accountability and the consequences of one's actions in life. Its detailed portrayal of the afterlife serves to motivate believers toward piety and righteousness. In Muslim tradition, the chapter is also often recited for its perceived spiritual benefits, including protection from poverty and the attainment of sustenance, an application rooted in various narrations attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.
