Surah Al Humazah

Introduction and Summary

This Makkan Surah condemns all sorts of scandal, backbiting, and selfish hoarding of wealth, as destroying the hearts and affections of men

C.284 The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose

Woe to the man or woman who deals

In scandal, in word or act, or by insults

Or suggestions. Woe to the backbiter, e'en

If his tale is true, for the taint is in his motive.

Woe to the miser who blocks up the channels

Of use and service and dams up his wealth,

As if he could remain in possession

For all time1 The Fire of Wrath will envelop them

And wither up their hearts and minds, and consume

That largeness of life which is the portion of mankind.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

C6266. Three vices are here condemned in the strongest terms:

1.  scandal-mongering, talking or suggesting evil of men or women by word or innuendo, or behaviour, or mimicry, or sarcasm, or insult;

2. detracting from their character behind their backs, even if the things suggested are true, where the motive is evil;

3. piling up wealth, not for use and service to those who need it, but in miserly hoards, as if such hoards can prolong the miser's life or give him immortality: miserliness is itself a kind of scandal.

C6267. Hutamah: that which smashes or breaks to pieces: an apt description of the three anti-social vices condemned.

For scandal-mongering and backbiting make any sort of cohesion or mutual confidence impossible; and the miser's hoards up the channels of economic service and charity, and the circulation of good-will among men.

C6268. This Fire of Punishment mounts right up to the hearts and minds of such men, and shuts them out of the love of their fellows.

"Heart" in Arabic means not only the seat of affection, pity, charity, etc., but also of understanding and intelligent appreciation of things.

C6269. Those guilty of these vices will be choked and suffocated, for this Vault of Fire will cover them all over, and its scorching columns will extend over a far wider area than they imagine.

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