Surah Humazah Tafsir The Slanderer

Written by Nuraz

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Salaam (WRWB). We all know that one person, whether it’s our family or friend that keeps boasting about their wealth. He is mostly ignorant and often thinks he is invulnerable. Which leads me to the core of this Surah.

Surah Humazah is the 104th Chapter of the Quran, and talks about those who prioritize their wealth and belittle others. It is a surah that gives these people a reality check and their fate of what is to come to them. This surah like the previous 5 (Zilzaal, Aadiyat, Qariah, Takathur, Asr) are very similar in meaning.

This surah possesses 9 Ayats, and is a Makki Surah. The literal definition of the Surah means, “The Slanderer.” This Surah’s main message is how arrogance and ignorance can lead to greater punishment in the Hellfire.

The Surah starts off with “Woe” as in a serious warning, a serious reminder to those people. Hence Allah (SWT) mentions,

وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٖ لُّمَزَةٍ
Meaning - Woe to every scorner and mocker. (104:1)

ٱلَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالٗا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ
Meaning - Who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. (104:2)

يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَهُۥ
Meaning - He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. (104:3)

This is obvious. These ayats refer to the person who is prideful within their wealth, that only expertise to increase the wealth rather than connecting his wealth to the straight path and remembrance of Allah (SWT). Rather than thinking this, this person thinks of growing these pockets as if they are immune. As if nothing will happen to them because of this “status” of wealth that they had acquired.

كَلَّاۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِي ٱلۡحُطَمَةِ
Meaning - No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. (104:4)

وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡحُطَمَةُ
Meaning - And what can make you know what is the Crusher? (104:5)

The “Crusher” that is mentioned in these ayats is referring to the Hellfire. The fire that will crush us alive eternally.

نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُوقَدَةُ
Meaning - It is the fire of Allah, [eternally] fueled. (104:6)

ٱلَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةِ
Meaning - Which mounts directed at the hearts. (104:7)

إِنَّهَا عَلَيۡهِم مُّؤۡصَدَةٞ
Meaning - Indeed, Hellfire will be closed down upon them. (104:8)

فِي عَمَدٖ مُّمَدَّدَةِۭ
Meaning - In extended columns. (104:9)

These ayats close in on the fate of these people. How they will seek the illusion of escaping the reality in the dunya, when they are actually escaping their own freedom in the Akirah. The fire will crush and mush the hearts of these people, as in the dunya they had everything else but the remembrance of Allah (SWT). As in there they will abide eternally (forever) because of such ignorance they had.

The overall message of this Surah is to be wary of our wealth and arrogance. Not to end up like those who are thrown in the hellfire because they look up to their wealth more than Allah (SWT). We should not be ignorant and arrogant but rather remember Allah (SWT). May Allah (SWT) make us avoid this way and make us remember him and go towards the straight path. Salaam (WRWB).