Surah al-Humazah
Surah Al-Humazah (الهمزة) is the 104th chapter of the Qur’an. It is a short but powerful Makkan surah, consisting of 9 verses, addressing the consequences of slander, greed, and arrogance.
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٖ لُّمَزَةٍ ١ ٱلَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالٗا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ ٢ يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَهُۥ ٣ كَلَّاۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِي ٱلۡحُطَمَةِ ٤ وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡحُطَمَةُ ٥ نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُوقَدَةُ ٦ ٱلَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلۡأَفِۡٔدَةِ ٧ إِنَّهَا عَلَيۡهِم مُّؤۡصَدَةٞ ٨ فِي عَمَدٖ مُّمَدَّدَةِۢ ٩
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
- Wai lul-li kulli hu mazatil-lumaza
- Al-lazi jama’a maalaw wa’addadah
- Yahsabu anna maalahu akhladah
- Kalla layum ba zanna fil hutamah
- Wa maa adraaka mal-hutamah
- Narul laahil-mooqada
- Al latee tat tali’u ‘alalafidah
- Innaha ‘alaihim moosada
- Fee ‘amadim-mu mad dadah
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
- Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.
- Who has gathered wealth and counted it.
- He thinks that his wealth will make him last forever!
- Nay! Verily, he will be thrown into the crushing Fire.
- And what will make you know what the crushing Fire is?
- The fire of Allah kindled,
- Which leaps up over the hearts,
- Verily, it shall be closed upon them,
- In pillars stretched forth (i.e. they will be punished in the Fire with pillars).
Lessons Contained in the Surah
- Chapter 104 is Suratul – Humazah.
- The Surah was revealed to the Holy Prophet in Makkah.
- ‘It takes its name from a word in the first verse (al-Humazah). (The slanderers).
- It teaches that severe punishment awaits the back-biters and the slanderers.
- Backbiting is saying bad things about a person when he or she is not present.
- Slander —~ mongering is going around to make trouble among people, thereby trying to benefit financially or otherwise from those bad practices.
- Slander can be committed in the presence of the victim or in his absence.
- Backbiting, slander and amassing wealth for the mere love of it are very bad habits, which Allah has strongly condemned in this Surah.
- The Surah teaches us not to backbite and if we hear others backbiting, we should not join them.
- We should advise others not to backbite.
- We should learn to control our tongues so as not to harm others.
- The Surah teaches one not to feel that one’s wealth will prolong one’s life forever. ”
- We should always think of helping others.
- One should try to gain Allah’s pleasure through one’s wealth.
- It should be recognized that one’s wealth is provided to one by Allah.
- We should avoid miserliness.
- We should be conscious of al-Hutamah (the crushing fire).
Explanation:
- Condemnation of Slanderers & Backbiters (Verse 1)
- The Surah begins with “وَيْلٌ” (Woe), meaning destruction, curse, or severe punishment for those who engage in slander and mockery.
- “هُمَزَةٍ” (Humazah): Refers to people who slander and criticize others verbally.
- “لُّمَزَةٍ” (Lumazah): Refers to those who mock others with gestures, expressions, or actions.
- This verse teaches that Islam forbids backbiting, gossiping, and degrading others.
- The Arrogance of Wealth Accumulators (Verse 2-3)
- “ٱلَّذِى جَمَعَ مَالًۭا وَعَدَّدَهُ“
- These verses describe people obsessed with wealth.
- They accumulate money, thinking it will grant them status, power, or immortality.
- However, Islam teaches that wealth should be used for good deeds and charity rather than arrogance.
- The Inevitable Punishment (Verse 4-5)
- “كَلَّا لَيُنبَذَنَّ فِى ٱلْحُطَمَةِ“
- “Al-Hutamah” (الحطمة) means “the Crusher”, referring to Hellfire, which crushes everything.
- This verse warns that those who mock others and hoard wealth will be thrown into Hell.
- The Fire of Allah (Verse 6-7)
- “نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُوقَدَةُ“
- This emphasizes that Hellfire is kindled and fueled by Allah’s decree.
- Unlike worldly fire, which burns only the body, this fire reaches the hearts, causing deep psychological and spiritual torment.
- Permanent & Inescapable Hell (Verse 8-9)
- “إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ فِى عَمَدٍۢ مُّمَدَّدَةٍۢ“
- Hellfire will be sealed upon them, meaning there will be no escape.
- “عَمَدٍ مُّمَدَّدَةٍ“ (Extended columns):
- Some scholars interpret this as pillars of punishment or chains restricting the sinners.
Lessons & Reflections:
- Avoid Backbiting & Mockery – Islam strongly condemns humiliating or mocking others, whether through words, actions, or gestures.
- Wealth Is a Test, Not a Guarantee – Money does not provide eternal security; it should be spent wisely in charity.
- Accountability Before Allah – Every action, whether speech or wealth accumulation, will be judged on the Day of Judgment.
- Hell Is Real & Painful – The Surah graphically describes Hellfire’s intense punishment, emphasizing the consequences of arrogance and greed.
Conclusion:
Surah Al-Humazah is a warning against slander, arrogance, and obsession with wealth. It reminds believers that material success does not guarantee safety from divine punishment. Instead, true success lies in humility, kindness, and generosity.
EXERCISES
1. What is the meaning of “Al-Humazah”?
A) The Backbiter
B) The Generous
C) The Believer
D) The Forgiven
2. How many verses are there in Surah Al-Humazah?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 11
3. What does “وَيْلٌ” (Wail) mean in the first verse?
A) A reward
B) A blessing
C) Destruction and severe punishment
D) A place in Jannah
4. Who is being condemned in this Surah?
A) Those who pray
B) Those who slander and backbite
C) Those who seek knowledge
D) Those who perform Hajj
5. What does “هُمَزَةٍ” (Humazah) refer to?
A) People who do good
B) Those who make fun of others with words
C) Those who are generous
D) Those who pray regularly
6. What does “لُّمَزَةٍ” (Lumazah) refer to?
A) Those who mock others with gestures and actions
B) Those who help the poor
C) Those who offer prayers
D) Those who perform Hajj
7. What does the Surah say about wealth accumulation?
A) It makes a person live forever
B) It guarantees entry into Jannah
C) It is a test from Allah
D) It brings happiness
8. What is “Al-Hutamah” mentioned in this Surah?
A) Paradise
B) The Day of Judgment
C) The Crusher (Hellfire)
D) A blessing from Allah
9. What does “يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَهُ” mean?
A) He thinks his wealth will make him immortal
B) He thinks his wealth will increase
C) He thinks he will lose his wealth
D) He thinks he will go to Jannah
10. What is unique about the Hellfire in this Surah?
A) It burns only the body
B) It targets the hearts
C) It does not cause pain
D) It gives light
11. Who will be thrown into “Al-Hutamah”?
A) Those who mock and hoard wealth
B) Those who pray
C) Those who give charity
D) Those who do good deeds
12. What does “نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُوقَدَةُ” mean?
A) The eternal garden
B) The kindled fire of Allah
C) The fire of wealth
D) A reward for the believers
13. What does the fire do in “ٱلَّتِى تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلْأَفْئِدَةِ”?
A) It only touches the skin
B) It climbs upon the hearts
C) It does not harm
D) It brings comfort
14. What does “إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ” mean?
A) It will be opened for them
B) It will be closed upon them
C) They will escape from it
D) They will enjoy it
15. What does “فِى عَمَدٍۢ مُّمَدَّدَةٍۢ” refer to?
A) Eternal bliss
B) Extended pillars of punishment
C) A place of peace
D) A temporary trial
16. What lesson does this Surah teach about arrogance?
A) Arrogance leads to destruction
B) Arrogance is a sign of strength
C) Arrogance helps in gaining wealth
D) Arrogance is admired by Allah
17. What does this Surah say about those who love wealth excessively?
A) They will be blessed
B) They will enter Paradise
C) They will be punished in Hellfire
D) They will be forgiven
18. What is the main theme of Surah Al-Humazah?
A) The importance of fasting
B) The punishment for backbiting, arrogance, and greed
C) The rewards of Hajj
D) The benefits of charity
19. What should a Muslim do instead of mocking others?
A) Speak kindly and respectfully
B) Ignore others completely
C) Always argue with people
D) Focus only on wealth
20. What should we learn from this Surah?
A) The importance of kindness and humility
B) The power of wealth
C) The importance of accumulating gold
D) The need to mock others