Surah Al-Humazah is one of the surahs that contains many lessons and teachings. This surah talks about one form of oppression and transgression, which is ridiculing and mocking others.
It also reminds us that every act has its consequences, and that God sees everything. In this article, we will explain the tafsir (interpretation) of Surah Al-Humazah along with clarifying the reasons for its revelation and the lessons learned from it.
The history and reasons for the revelation of Surah Al-Humazah
Surah Al-Humazah is a Meccan surah consisting of nine ayahs. This surah warns of Allah’s punishment for the hypocrites and polytheists who used to ridicule the Prophet (peace be upon him) and mock the Muslims by criticizing their words and deeds.
The surah starts with Allah’s saying: “Woe to every scorner and mocker.” Meaning misery and distress for everyone who harms people with their tongue or sarcasm.
As for the reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Humazah, scholars have differed. Some mentioned that it was revealed about a specific polytheist. Others said it was revealed about a group of polytheists. Others said it includes anyone with this trait. Here are some of the narrations regarding the reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Humazah:
‘Ata and Al-Kalbi said: This surah was revealed about Al-Akhnas ibn Shariq, who used to criticize people and gossip about them, especially the Messenger of Allah.
Muqatil said: This surah was revealed about Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughira, who used to gossip about the Messenger of Allah in his absence and mock him to his face.
Muhammad ibn Ishaaq said: We continue to hear that this surah was revealed about Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
Ibn Ashour said: This surah encompasses all polytheists who engaged in this act, whether their names are known or not.
Read also about: Tafsir of Surah Al-A’la
The Inspiring Lessons Drawn from Surah Al-Humazah
Surah Al-Humazah is a Meccan surah consisting of nine ayahs containing many important benefits and lessons that Muslims must implement, including:
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Warning against mocking and backbiting
Mocking involves finding fault in people and their honor, and it is a reprehensible act that breeds enmity and resentment among people.
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Protecting people’s wealth and honor
Surah Al-Humazah begins with deterring phrases like “Woe”, and making mocking and backbiting a major sin.
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Warning against boasting about wealth
The surah warns against boasting, arrogance, pride and vanity due to wealth.
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Clarifying the horrors of Hell
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The surah reveals the nature of Hell which will consume every disbeliever and sinner who boasts about their wealth at the expense of others.
- A Muslim should be gentle when addressing people and should not hurt anyone with hurtful speech.
- A Muslim should strive to earn wealth with the intention that it belongs to Allah Almighty.
Read also about: Surah Al-Asr
Tafsir of Surah Al-Humazah
Woe to every scorner and mocker
Who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it.
He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.
No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.
And what can make you know what is the Crusher?
It is the fire of Allah, [eternally] fueled,
Which mounts directed at the hearts.
Indeed, Hellfire will be closed down upon them
وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٖ لُّمَزَةٍ (1) ٱلَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالٗا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ (2) يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَهُۥ (3) كَلَّاۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِي ٱلۡحُطَمَةِ (4) وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡحُطَمَةُ (5) نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُوقَدَةُ (6) ٱلَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةِ (7) إِنَّهَا عَلَيۡهِم مُّؤۡصَدَةٞ (8) فِي عَمَدٖ مُّمَدَّدَةِۭ (9)
Read also about: Tafsir of Surah Al-Ikhlas
Woe to every backbiter slanderer
Woe: A word meaning punishment or valley in Hell. Backbiter slanderer: Refers to someone who excessively gossips and backbites, i.e. speaks ill of others behind their back. This verse was revealed about those who used to backbite the Prophet (peace be upon him) and believers.
Who has gathered wealth and enumerated it
Refers to the person who collects wealth and counts it.
He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal
The person thinks that amassing wealth will make him live forever in this world.
Never! He will surely be thrown into the crushing disaster
“Never!” means the situation is not as the person thinks, and “the crushing disaster” is a level of Hell that crushes its inhabitants.
And what can make you know what the crushing disaster is?
This verse emphasizes and intensifies the severity of the crushing disaster.
The Fire of Allah, kindled,
Refers to Allah’s Fire whose fuel is people and stones.
Which rises over the hearts,
Refers to how intense this Fire is that it reaches hearts.
Indeed, it will close in on them
Means the Fire is locked/shut upon those within it. “Closed in” means the Fire is tightly closed upon the disbelievers so they cannot get out of it. According to Ibn Kathir’s tafsir, “closed in” means “shut tight” as mentioned in Surah Al-Balad.
In columns extended
“Columns” refers to pillars and “extended” means elongated. Some scholars say columns refer to iron pillars, while others say they are made of Fire. According to Ibn Abbas’s tafsir, (the doors are what is extended).
Read also about: The Effect of the Quran on the Soul
In conclusion, Surah Al-Hamza reminds us that God watches over every action we take, urges us to think before acting, and always remember that injustice and transgression will not go unpunished, it is a powerful reminder that justice and mercy are the values we should strive for in our lives.
In this regard, you can see the interpretation of the entire surahs of the Qur’an through Wahion Youha Academy of Quranic Sciences, where its teachers offer many courses that specialize in all Quranic sciences, including interpretation, jurisprudence, doctrine and intonation.