The Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ghāshiyah (Chapter - 88)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Reciting Sūrat Al-A'lā and Al-Ghāshiyah in the Friday Prayer It has already been mentioned on the authority of An-Nu'mān bin Bashīr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to recite Sūrat Al-A'lā (87) and Al-Ghāshiyah in the 'Īd and Friday prayers.^{1Muslim 2:598.} Imām Mālik recorded that Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk bin Qays asked An-Nu'mān bin Bashīr, "What else did the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ recite on Friday along with Sūrat Al-Jumu'ah?" An-Nu'mān replied, "Al-Ghāshiyah (88)."^{2Al-Muwaṭṭa' 1:111.} This narration has been recorded by Abu Dāwud, An-Nasā'ī, Muslim and Ibn Mājah.^{3Abu Dāwud 1:670, An-Nasā'ī 3:112, Muslim 2:598 and Ibn Mājah 1:355.}

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Qur’an 88:1–7هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْغَٰشِيَةِ وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَٰشِعَةٌ عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِن جُوعٍ

«1. Has there come to you the narration of Al-Ghāshiyah (the overwhelming)?» «2. Some faces that Day will be Khāshi'ah.» «3. Laboring, weary.» «4. They will enter into Fire, Ḥāmiyah.» «5. They will be given to drink from a boiling (Āniyah) spring,» «6. No food will there be for them but from Ḍarī',» «7. Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.»

The Day of Judgement and what will happen to the People of the Fire during it

Al-Ghāshiyah is one of the names of the Day of Judgement. This was said by Ibn 'Abbās, Qatādah and Ibn Zayd.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:381.} It has been called this because it will overwhelm the people and overcome them. Allāh then says,

Qur’an 88:2وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَٰشِعَةٌ

«Some faces that Day will be Khāshi'ah.» meaning, humiliated. This was said by Qatādah.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:382.} Ibn 'Abbās said, "They will be humble but this action will be of no benefit to them." Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:3عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ

«Laboring, weary.» meaning, they did many deeds and became weary in their performance, yet they will be cast into a blazing Fire on the Day of Judgement. Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abu Bakr Al-Burqāni narrated from Abu 'Imrān Al-Jawni that he said, " 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb passed by the monastery of a monk and he said: 'O monk!' Then the monk came out, and 'Umar looked at him and began to weep. Then it was said to him: 'O Commander of the faithful! Why are you weeping?' He replied: 'I remembered the statement of Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic, in His Book,

Qur’an 88:3–4عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً

«Laboring, weary. They will enter into Fire, Ḥāmiyah.» So that is what has made me cry.' "^{3'Abdur-Razzāq 2:299, and Al-Ḥākim 2:522.} Al-Bukhāri recorded that Ibn 'Abbās said,

Qur’an 88:3عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ

«Laboring, weary.» "The Christians."^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:570.} It is narrated that 'Ikrimah and As-Suddi both said, "Laboring in the worldly life with disobedience, and weariness in the Fire from torment and perdition." Ibn 'Abbās, Al-Ḥasan, and Qatādah all said,

Qur’an 88:4تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً

«They will enter into Fire, Ḥāmiyah» meaning, hot with intense heat.

Qur’an 88:5تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ

«They will be given to drink from a boiling (Āniyah) spring.» meaning, its heat has reached its maximum limit and boiling point. This was said by Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Al-Ḥasan and As-Suddi.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:383.} Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 88:6لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ

«No food will there be for them but from Ḍarī',» 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported from Ibn 'Abbās that he said, "A tree from the Hellfire."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:385.} Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Abu Al-Jawzā' and Qatādah, all said, "It is Ash-Shibriq (a type of plant)." Qatādah said, "The Quraysh called it Ash-Shabraq in the spring and Aḍ-Ḍarī‘ in the summer." 'Ikrimah said, "It is a thorny tree which reaches down to the ground."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:384.} Al-Bukhāri related that Mujāhid said, “Aḍ-Ḍarī‘ is a plant that is called Ash-Shibriq. The people of the Ḥijāz call it Aḍ-Ḍarī‘ when it dries, and it is poisonous."^{8Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:570.} Ma'mar narrated that Qatādah said,

Qur’an 88:6لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ

«No food will there be for them but from Ḍarī',» "This is Ash-Shibriq. When it dries it is called Aḍ-Ḍarī‘.”^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:384.} Sa‘īd narrated from Qatādah that he said,

Qur’an 88:6لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ

«No food will there be for them but from Ḍarī',» "This is of the worst, most disgusting and loathsome of foods."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:384.} Concerning Allāh's statement,

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anبَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِى ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ صُحُفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْغَٰشِيَةِ وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَٰشِعَةٌ عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِن جُوعٍ وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ لِّسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ لَّا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَٰغِيَةً فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ وَزَرَابِىُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم

Qur’an 88:7لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِن جُوعٍ

«Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.» This means that the intent in eating it will not be achieved, and nothing harmful will be repelled by it.

Qur’an 88:8–16وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ لِّسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ لَّا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَٰغِيَةً فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ وَزَرَابِىُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ

«8. Faces that Day will be joyful,» «9. Glad with their endeavor.» «10. In a lofty Paradise.»

«11. Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood.» «12. Therein will be a running spring.» «13. Therein will be thrones raised high.» «14. And cups set at hand.» «15. And Namāriq, set in rows.» «16. And Zarābi, spread out (Mabthūthah).»

The Condition of the People of Paradise on the Day of Judgement After mentioning the situation of the wretched people, Allāh changes the discussion to mention those who will be happy. He says,

Qur’anوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ

«Faces that Day.» meaning, on the Day of Judgement.

Qur’an 88:8نَّاعِمَةٌ

«will be joyful,» meaning, pleasure will be noticeable in them (those faces). This will only occur due to their striving. Sufyān said,

Qur’an 88:9لِّسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ

«Glad with their endeavor.» "They will be pleased with their deeds." Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:10فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ

«In a lofty Paradise.» meaning, elevated and brilliant, secure in their dwellings.

Qur’an 88:11لَّا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَٰغِيَةً

«Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood.» meaning, they will not hear in the Paradise that they will be in, any foolish word. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 19:62لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَٰمًا

«They shall not hear therein any Laghw,^{1Vain, useless, false, sinful speech.} but only Salām.» (19:62) Allāh also says,

Qur’an 52:23لَّا لَغْوٌ فِيهَا وَلَا تَأْثِيمٌ

«Free from any Laghw, and free from sin.» (52:23) and He says,

Qur’an 56:25–26لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَٰمًا سَلَٰمًا

«No Laghw will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech. But only the saying of: "Salām! Salām!" » (56:25-26) Then Allāh continues,

Qur’an 88:12فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ

«Therein will be a running spring.» meaning, flowing freely. This is mentioned with the intent of emphasizing affirmation. It is not intended to mean that there is only one spring. So here it refers to springs collectively. Thus, the meaning is that in it (Paradise) are flowing springs.

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthأَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ تَفَجَّرُ مِنْ تَحْتِ تِلَالٍ - أَوْ مِنْ تَحْتِ جِبَالِ - الْمِسْكِ

«The rivers of Paradise spring forth from beneath hills - or mountains - of musk.»^{2Ibn Ḥibbān no. 2622. See Mawārid Az-Zam'ān.}

Qur’an 88:13فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ

«Therein will be thrones raised high.» meaning, lofty, delightful, numerous couches, with elevated ceilings. Upon which will be seated wide-eyed, beautiful maidens. They have mentioned that whenever the friend of Allāh wishes to sit on these lofty thrones, they (the thrones) will lower themselves for him.

Qur’an 88:14وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ

«And cups set at hand.» meaning, drinking containers that are prepared and presented for whoever among their masters (i.e., the people of Paradise) wants them.

Qur’an 88:15وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ

«And Namāriq set in rows.» Ibn 'Abbās said, "An-Namāriq are pillows."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :387.} This was also said by 'Ikrimah, Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri and others. Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 88:16وَزَرَابِىُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ

«And Zarābi, spread out (Mabthūthah).»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "Az-Zarābi are carpets." This was also said by Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and others. Here the word Mabthūthah means placed here and there for whoever would like to sit upon them.

Qur’an 88:17–19أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ

Qur’an 88:19–26نُصِبَتْ وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم

«17. Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?» «18. And at the heaven, how it is raised?» «19. And at the mountains, how they are rooted?» «20. And at the earth, how it is outspread?» «21. So remind them - you are only one who reminds.» «22. You are not a Muṣayṭir over them.» «23. Save the one who turns away and disbelieves.» «24. Then Allāh will punish him with the greatest punishment.» «25. Verily, to Us will be their return;» «26. Then verily, for Us will be their reckoning.»

The Exhortation to look at the Creation of the Camel, the Heaven, the Mountains and the Earth Allāh commands His servants to look at His creations that prove His power and greatness. He says,

Qur’an 88:17أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ

«Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?» Indeed it is an amazing creation, and the way it has been fashioned is strange. For it is extremely powerful and strong, yet gentle, carrying heavy loads. It allows itself to be guided by a weak rider. It is eaten, benefit is derived from its hair, and its milk is drunk. They are reminded of this because the most common domestic animal of the Arabs was the camel. Shurayḥ Al-Qāḍi used to say, "Come out with us so that we may look at the camels and how they were created, and at the sky and how it has been raised." Meaning, how Allāh raised it in such magnificence above the ground. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 50:6أَفَلَمْ يَنظُرُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَوْقَهُمْ كَيْفَ بَنَيْنَٰهَا وَزَيَّنَّٰهَا وَمَا لَهَا مِن فُرُوجٍ

«Have they not looked at the heaven above them, how we have made it and adorned it and there are no rifts on it?» (50:6) Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:19وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ

«And at the mountains, how they are rooted?»

meaning, how they have been erected. For indeed they are firmly affixed so that the earth does not sway with its dwellers. And He made them with the benefits and minerals they contain.

Qur’an 88:20وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ

«And at the earth, how it is outspread?»

meaning, how it has been spread out, extended and made smooth. Thus, He directs the bedouin to consider what he himself witnesses. His camel that he rides upon, the sky that is above his head, the mountain that faces him, and the earth that is under him, all of this is proof of the power of the Creator and Maker of these things. These things should lead him to see that He is the Lord, the Most Great, the Creator, the Owner, and the Controller of everything. Therefore, He is the God other than Whom none deserves to be worshipped.

The Story of Ḍimām bin Tha'labah

These are the things Ḍimām swore by after questioning the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. This can be seen in what Imām Aḥmad recorded from Thābit, who reported that Anas said, "We were prohibited from asking the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ anything. Thus, it used to amaze us when an intelligent man from the people of the desert (bedouin Arabs) would come and ask him about something while we were listening. So a man from the people of the desert came and said, 'O Muḥammad! Verily, your messenger has come to us and he claims that you claim that Allāh sent you.' He (the Prophet) ﷺ said,

«صَدَقَ»

«He told the truth.» The man said, 'Who created the heaven?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) replied, «الله», «Allāh.» The man said, 'Who created the earth?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) replied, «الله», «Allāh».

The man said, 'Who erected these mountains and placed in them whatever is in them?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) replied, «الله», «Allāh». Then the man said, 'By the One Who created the heaven, the earth, and erected these mountains, did Allāh send you?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) said,

«نَعَمْ»

«Yes.» The man then said, 'Your messenger claims that we are obligated to pray five prayers during our day and night.' He (the Prophet ﷺ) said,

«صَدَقَ»

«He told the truth.» The man then said, 'By He Who has sent you, did Allāh command you with this?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) replied,

«نَعَمْ»

«Yes.» The man then said, 'Your messenger also claims that we are obligated to give charity from our wealth.' He (the Prophet ﷺ) said,

«صَدَقَ»

«He told the truth.» Then the man said, 'By He Who has sent you, did Allāh command you with this?' He (the Prophet ﷺ) replied,

«نَعَمْ»

«Yes.» The man then said, 'Your messenger claims that we are obligated to perform pilgrimage (Ḥajj) to the House (the Ka'bah), for whoever is able to find a way there.' He (the Prophet ﷺ) said,

«صَدَقَ»

«He told the truth.» Then the man turned away to leave while saying, 'By He Who has sent you with the truth, I will not add anything to these things and I will not decrease anything from them.' The Prophet ﷺ then said,

Ḥadīthإِنْ صَدَقَ لَيَدْخُلَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ

«If he has spoken truthfully, he will certainly enter Paradise.»^{1Aḥmad 3:143.} This Ḥadīth was recorded by Al-Bukhāri, Muslim, Abu Dāwud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā'ī and Ibn Mājah .^{2Al-Bukhāri no. 63, Muslim 1:41, Abu Dāwud no. 486, At-Tirmidhi no. 619, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā no. 2401, 2402, Ibn Mājah no. 1402.}

The Messenger ﷺ is only charged with delivering the Message Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:21–22فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ

«So remind them - you are only one who reminds. You are not a Muṣayṭir over them» meaning, "O Muḥammad! Remind the people with what you have been sent with to them."

Qur’an 13:40فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ

«your duty is only to convey (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning.» (13:40) Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:22لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ

«You are not a Muṣayṭir over them.»

Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid and others said, "You are not a dictator over them."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :390.} This means that you cannot create faith in their hearts. Ibn Zayd said, "You are not the one who can force them to have faith."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :390.} Imām Aḥmad recorded from Jābir that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَقُولُوا: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، فَإِذَا قَالُوهَا عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلَّا بِحَقِّهَا، وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

«I have been commanded to fight the people until they say La ilāha illallāh (none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh). So if they say that, they have safeguarded their blood and wealth from me - except for what is rightfully due from it - and their reckoning is with Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic.»" Then he ﷺ recited,

Qur’an 88:21–22فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ

«So remind them - you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them -»^{5Aḥmad 3:300.}

This is how Muslim recorded this Ḥadīth in his Book of Faith, and At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā'ī also recorded it in their Sunans in the Books of Tafsīr.^{6Muslim 1:53, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:265, and An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:514.} This Ḥadīth can be found in both of the Two Ṣaḥīḥs.^{7Fatḥ Al-Bāri 1:95, from Ibn 'Umar, and Muslim 1:52.}

The Threat for Whoever turns away from the Truth Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 88:23إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ

«Save the one who turns away and disbelieves.»

meaning, he turns away from acting upon its pillars, and he disbelieves in the truth with his heart and his tongue. This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 75:31–32فَلَا صَدَّقَ وَلَا صَلَّىٰ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ

«So he neither believed nor prayed! But on the contrary, he belied and turn away!» (75:31-32)

Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 88:24فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ

«Then Allāh will punish him with the greatest punishment.»

Allāh then says,

Qur’an 88:25إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ

«Verily, to Us will be their return;» meaning, their place of return and their resort.

Qur’an 88:26ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم

«Then verily, for Us will be their reckoning.» meaning, 'We will reckon their deeds for them and requite them for those deeds.' If they did good, they will receive good, and if they did evil, they will receive evil.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ghāshiyah, and all praise and thanks are due to Allāh.