Al-Humaza

Sūrat Al-Humaza (Arabic: سورة الهمزة‎ ) (The Traducer, The Gossipmonger) is the 104th sura of the Qur'an, with 9 ayat.

Overview

The title is said to refer to Akhnas ibn Shariq.^[1]

It condemns those who slander others, whether by speech or action, and imagine that their own wealth will keep them immune from death, and describes the doom of Hell which awaits them.

In the phrase "slandering traducer" (Arabic humaza lumaza), according to Ibn Kathir, the first word refers to slander by speech, and the second to slander by action (though he also quotes Mujahid as saying the opposite: "Al-Humazah is with the hand and the eye, and Al-Lumazah is with the tongue.") The "fire... which leapeth over the hearts" is sometimes interpreted as starting below and rising: according to Ibn Kathir, Muhammad bin Ka`b said that "it (the Fire) will devour every part of his body until it reaches his heart and comes to the level of his throat, then it will return to his body." The "columns" described in the final verse are interpreted as columns of fire by some authorities (eg As-Suddi), as in the translation below, but as literal pillars of iron by some others (eg Al-Awfi.)

Translation

1. Woe unto every slandering eye-flicker,

2. Who hath gathered some wealth (of this world) and counted it.

3. He thinketh that his wealth will render him immortal.

4. Nay, but verily he will be flung into the Destroying One.

5. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Destroying One is!

6. (It is) the fire of Allah, kindled,

7. Which leapeth up over the hearts (of the disbelievers).

8 Lo! It is closing in on them

9. In outstretched beams and columns.

References

1. ^ M. A. S. Abdel Haleem: The Qur'an / a new translation, footnote to sura 104.

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Qur'an - Al-Humaza