Makkan Surah, 9 Verses

🌟 Introduction

Surah Al-Humazah, a concise Makkan Surah with 9 verses, delivers a stern warning against three destructive sins: backbiting (humazah), slandering (lumazah), and obsessive hoarding of wealth. Revealed in Makkah during the early years of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ mission, it condemns behaviors that erode personal character and community harmony, emphasizing the severe punishment of Al-Hutamah (the Crusher) in the Hereafter. This Surah serves as a timeless reminder to purify one’s heart and actions, prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly gain.

🕋 Cause of Revelation

According to Tafsir scholars like Mufti Shafi Usmani, Surah Al-Humazah was revealed to address the actions of certain Quraysh leaders, such as Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah or Umayyah ibn Khalaf, who mocked the Prophet ﷺ and Muslims. These individuals engaged in backbiting and slander, while their obsession with wealth fueled their arrogance, believing it would grant them immortality. The Surah was a divine rebuke, warning of the consequences of such vices and reinforcing the Prophet’s mission to reform society through ethical conduct and Tawhid.

🌹 Merits, Peculiarities, and Virtues

Surah Al-Humazah highlights three grave sins: mockery, backbiting, and greed for wealth. 🛑
It warns of Al-Hutamah, a crushing fire in Hell that penetrates the hearts, reserved for those who persist in these sins. 🔥
Reciting this Surah reminds believers to guard their tongues and hearts, fostering humility and sincerity. 🙏
Its brevity and powerful message make it a popular choice for prayers, encouraging repentance and moral reform. 🌟

📖 Tafsir (Simplified)

Surah Al-Humazah condemns those who habitually mock others through words or gestures, sowing discord. It criticizes individuals who hoard wealth, counting it obsessively, and believe it grants them power or eternal life. Allah warns that such people will be cast into Al-Hutamah, a fire that reaches the hearts, sealed in tall columns with no escape. This vivid imagery underscores the importance of ethical behavior and accountability in the Hereafter. 🕋

🕌 Hadith Commentary

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The backbiter shall not enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim)
He also said: “Shall I not tell you about the most evil of people? They are those who go about with slander, those who break ties between loved ones, and those who seek faults in the innocent.” (Muslim, Ahmad)

These Hadiths reinforce the Surah’s message, highlighting the severity of backbiting and slander, which harm relationships and incur divine displeasure.

🕋 Arabic with Translation

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Transliteration: Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem
Translation: With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

1️⃣ وَيْلٌ لِكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُمَزَةٍ
Transliteration: Waylun likulli humazatin lumazah
Translation: Woe to every backbiter, derider.

2️⃣ الَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالًا وَعَدَّدَهُ
Transliteration: Alladhee jama‘a malan wa‘addadah
Translation: Who accumulates wealth and counts it.

3️⃣ يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ أَخْلَدَهُ
Transliteration: Yahsabu anna malahu akhladah
Translation: He thinks that his wealth has made him eternal.

4️⃣ كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنبَذَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَةِ
Transliteration: Kalla layunbadhanna fee al-hutamah
Translation: Never! He will certainly be thrown into the Crusher.

5️⃣ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحُطَمَةُ
Transliteration: Wama adraka ma al-hutamah
Translation: And what may let you know what the Crusher is?

6️⃣ نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوقَدَةُ
Transliteration: Naru Allahi al-mooqadah
Translation: It is Allah’s kindled fire.

7️⃣ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ
Transliteration: Allatee tattali‘u ‘ala al-af’idah
Translation: That will peep into the hearts.

8️⃣ إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ
Transliteration: Innaha ‘alayhim mu’sadah
Translation: It will be closed in on them.

9️⃣ فِي عَمَدٍ مُمَدَّدَةٍ
Transliteration: Fee ‘amadin mumaddadah
Translation: In outstretched columns.

💡 Message

Surah Al-Humazah conveys a timeless message of ethical conduct and accountability. It warns against backbiting, slander, and greed, which corrupt the heart and society. The vivid description of Al-Hutamah reminds believers that worldly wealth offers no protection from divine judgment. The Surah urges humility, sincerity, and mindfulness of Allah’s commands, encouraging spiritual wealth over material gain. 🌟

🗝️ Key Lessons

1. Avoid Harmful Speech: Refrain from backbiting and slander to maintain community harmony. 🛑

2. Wealth is Fleeting: Greed leads to spiritual ruin; prioritize charity and faith. 💰

3. Prepare for the Hereafter: The torment of Al-Hutamah underscores accountability. 🔥

4. Embrace Humility: Arrogance from wealth or status distances one from Allah. 🙏

5. Seek Forgiveness: Recite and reflect on this Surah to purify your heart. 🌹

🕍 Historical Significance of Surah Al-Humazah

Revealed in the early Makkan period, Surah Al-Humazah addressed the Quraysh’s prevalent vices of mockery and greed. These behaviors reflected the arrogance of pre-Islamic Arabian elites, who opposed the Prophet’s ﷺ call to Tawhid and ethical reform. By condemning such actions, the Surah challenged societal norms and reinforced the mission to build a just, God-conscious community. Its message remains relevant, warning against behaviors that undermine spiritual and social harmony across time. 🕌

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📘 Word-by-Word Translation & Grammar

💡 Message

Surah Al-Humazah urges believers to shun backbiting, slander, and greed, which corrupt the soul and society. The imagery of Al-Hutamah—a fire that engulfs the hearts—emphasizes divine accountability. It calls for humility, sincerity, and prioritizing spiritual wealth over material gain. 🌟

🗝️ Key Lessons

1. Guard Your Speech: Avoid backbiting and slander to preserve relationships. 🛑

2. Reject Greed: Wealth is temporary; focus on charity and faith. 💰

3. Fear Accountability: Prepare for the Hereafter to escape Al-Hutamah. 🔥

4. Stay Humble: Arrogance leads to spiritual ruin. 🙏

5. Reflect and Repent: Recite this Surah to purify your heart and seek forgiveness. 🌹

🕍 Historical Significance of Surah Al-Humazah

Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Humazah targeted the Quraysh elites’ mockery and greed, challenging their opposition to the Prophet’s ﷺ message of Tawhid and ethical reform. Its timeless warning against destructive behaviors continues to guide believers toward righteousness and social harmony. 🕌

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