CHAPTER 88: AL-GHASHIYAH (THE OVERWHELMING)

It was revealed in the Mecca period. Ghashiyah means "that which covers and envelops." It consists of 26 verses. The surah takes its name from the same expression in its first verse. (H. T. FEYIZLI, 1/591)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

88/1-7 HAS THE NEWS OF THE OVERWHELMING EVENT REACHED YOU?

Translation

1- [O My Messenger!] Has there reached you the report of the Enveloping [Event—the Resurrection]?

2- 5- [Some] faces, that Day, will be humbled. 3- [The disbelievers] laboring and exhausted [in the world for nothing]. 4- 5- They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire. They will be given drink from a boiling spring.

6- 7- No food will there be for them except from a poisonous, thorny plant. Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.

Commentary

(1)- ‘(O My Messenger, the report of the Resurrection) which covers and envelops everything with its terror has reached you.’ This expression refers to the Resurrection (Qiyamah). That is, those disasters will completely cover the universe. Here, the hereafter is expressed as a whole. This phase is explained with all its stages: starting after the world is turned upside down and disappears, the gathering of people after being resurrected, their presence before Allah, and the administration of punishment and reward. (MAWDUDI, 7/103)

(2)- ‘Some faces that Day will be humbled.’ While they did not respect the Truth before, on that day they will bow their necks with fear and awe, falling into humiliation. (ELMALILI, 9/167)

(3-5)- ‘(The disbelievers) labored and were exhausted (in the world for nothing).’ (...) They did not work toward good deeds on the true and right path for Allah in a way that would be useful today; they worked by deviating into disbelief with false religions, corrupt ideas, and beliefs. They suffered hardship and trouble in vain, and now they are suffering the punishment for it. (ELMALILI, 9/167)

‘They will enter an intensely hot fire,’ meaning they will be stretched out and lean against Hamiya—a fire with a very high degree of heat. ‘They will be given drink from a boiling spring.’ It is clear that ‘Ayn here, with the context of "giving drink," means a fountain, spring, or source of water. However, this source is not a cold water source, but a spring called Aniyah (boiling water, cf. Rahman 55/44), which is extremely hot, boiling, and fierce like fire. (ELMALILI, 9/168, 169)

(6, 7)- ‘For the disbelievers, there is no food except from a dry, bitter thorn. It neither nourishes nor satisfies hunger.’ In verses 6-7, it is reported that the food to be given to the deniers consists of dry thorns, which do not meet their needs and serve no purpose other than increasing the pain and suffering they endure. The food and drink of the people of Hell are not limited to what is described here. For example, in Surah As-Saffat (37/62, 67), the "Zaqqum tree" is mentioned as food, and a liquid mixture of boiling water as drink; in Surah Muhammad (47/15), a drink that tears the intestines; and in Surah Al-Haqqah (69/36), a liquid flowing from the bodies of those burning in Hell (ghislin). (QUR’AN WAY, 5/609)

The word ‘dari’’ mentioned in the 6th verse is a thorny tree. (This tree) is both thorny and as bitter as poison. (O. CELIK 5/441)

From Nasafi: "The punishment is of many kinds. Those punished are also in different groups. Some eat zaqqum, some ghislin, and some dari'. Therefore, there is no contradiction between these verses and Allah Almighty's verse: 'Nor any food except from the discharge of wounds (ghislin)' (Al-Haqqah 69/36)." (S. HAWWA, 16/169)

88/8-16 THERE THEY WILL NOT HEAR ANY IDLE TALK

Translation

8- 11- [Other] faces, that Day, will be joyful (and happy). 9- Satisfied with their effort [done in the world according to the pleasure of Allah]. 10- In a high Garden [Paradise]; 11- Wherein they will hear no unsuitable [idle] speech.

12- 16- Within it is a flowing spring (s), 13- Therein are thrones raised high, 14- And cups put in place [before them], 15- And cushions set in rows, 16- And rich carpets spread around.

Commentary

(8) ‘Other faces, that Day, will be joyful (and happy).’ The "faces" reported in the 8th verse to be glowing with happiness refer to the believers. Believers become joyful and happy because they attain the blessings of Paradise that Allah has prepared for them as a reward for the good deeds they performed in the world. For this reason, their faces are cheerful, bright, and beautiful. As stated in another verse: "You will recognize in their faces the radiance of bliss." (Mutaffifin 83/24). (QUR’AN WAY, 5/609)

(9) ‘Satisfied with their effort (done in the world according to the pleasure of Allah).’ They are pleased because of their work. For they did not work in vain; their deeds were performed in a way suitable for Allah's command and pleasure and were accepted. Their efforts and endeavors bore fruit on that terrifying day, and they attained blessing and happiness. This success did not arouse a sense of laziness in them, but rather a joy for even more work. (ELMALILI, 9/171)

(10) ‘In a high Garden [Paradise].’ They are in a high, sublime, and noble Paradise. Furthermore, the degrees and ranks of this Paradise are also high. The word "highness" leaves a special impact on human perception. (S. KUTUB, 10/461)

Hadith: "Those who love each other for the sake of Allah will be placed in such high chambers in Paradise that the other inhabitants of Paradise will look up at them just as people on earth look up at the stars in the sky." (Musnad-i Ahmed 5/239; from Daylami No: 6624; I. H. BURSEVI, 23/319, 320)

(11) ‘Wherein they will hear no idle speech.’ Commentators have interpreted the "idle speech" that believers will not hear in Paradise as "lies, slander, denial, blasphemy, false oaths, ugly words, etc." (QUR’AN WAY, 5/610)

(12-16) ‘Within it is a flowing spring (s), therein are thrones raised high, and cups put in place, and cushions set in rows, and rich carpets spread around.’ (...) Here, some blessings of Paradise are listed using words for material pleasures and blessings that humans recognize in the world. Undoubtedly, these are examples, and more blessings of Paradise are mentioned in the Qur'an as the context requires. According to the Qur'an, Paradise is as wide as the heavens and the earth (Al-i Imran 3/133), a place where neither scorching heat nor freezing cold exists (Insan 76/13); a home in which rivers of water, milk, wine, and honey flow (Muhammad 47/15), and an environment of blessings with indescribable beauties. (QUR’AN WAY, 5/610)

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Is there no one working with sincerity for Paradise? For there is nothing like Paradise. By the Lord of the Kaaba, it is a shining light, a fragrant plant swaying (in the breeze), a high palace, a flowing river, a ripe fruit, a beautiful spouse, many new clothes, eternal residence in the home of salvation, fruit, greenery, abundance, and blessing in a high and magnificent place..." They said: "O Messenger of Allah! Yes, we are those who work with sincerity for Paradise." The Messenger of Allah said: "Say, Insha'Allah." The gathering there also said "Insha'Allah." (From Ibn Majah; S. HAWWA, 16/174)

88/17-26 THEIR RETURN IS ONLY TO US

Translation

17- 20- Do they not look [with reflection] at the camel—how it is created? 18- And at the sky—how it is raised? 19- And at the mountains—how they are erected? 20- And at the earth—how it is spread out?

21- [O My Messenger!] So remind [and warn]. You are only a reminder [and warner].

22- 24- You are not over them a controller [compeller]. 23- 24- However, whoever turns away and disbelieves, 24- Then Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment.

25- 26- Indeed, to Us is their return. 26- Then indeed, upon Us is their account [to see their reckoning].

Commentary

(17) ‘(People) do they not look at how that camel was created?’ Those who doubt the truth of the news given by the Qur'an are invited to reflect with wisdom on these clear proofs showing the supreme power of Allah. Here, four important proofs are mentioned. The first is the creation of the camel: It is an interesting creature with a strange structure. Despite being extremely strong and powerful, it is docile enough to carry very heavy loads and submits to a weak guide. Its meat is eaten, its fur is used, and its milk is drunk. (S. HAWWA, 16/171, 172; O. CELIK, 5/442)

(18) ‘And how the sky is raised,’ Allah Almighty has raised it without any pillars that we can see (cf. Lokman 31/10). It is not possible to know the limit of its height. It is beyond the capacity of the mind to perceive where the seven layers of heaven, in harmony with each other, extend, or what their dimensions, width, and diameter are. One who looks at it deeply and reflects with wisdom will surely recognize the supreme power, give up disbelief, and bow down before Him. (O. CELIK, 5/442, 443)

(19) ‘And how the mountains are erected,’ The erection of stable mountains on the globe ensures the balance of the earth. Various verses state that stable mountains were placed there so that the earth would not shake (e.g., Nahl 16/15; Lokman 31/10; Nebe’ 78/7). Additionally, mountains provide suitable environments for protection and shelter, provide water resources, and facilitate life for humans and other living beings with their special vegetation and minerals. (QUR’AN WAY, 5/612)

(20) ‘Do they not look at how the earth is spread out?’ Allah has spread it out in this way, placed all the needs of life within it, and prepared all opportunities for man to live easily and serve his Lord. A person who reflects on this understands Allah's power and believes that He has the strength to resurrect the dead. This verse also implies that Muslims are indirectly encouraged to engage in experimental and social sciences such as zoology, astronomy, geology, history, and geography. (O. CELIK, 5/443; QUR’AN WAY, 5/612)

(21) ‘(O My Messenger!) give admonition. You are only a warner.’ Allah Almighty commands His Messenger to warn people and convey the truths to them without allowing any pressure or compulsion. Because faith and worship depend only on the person being convinced and embracing them from the heart. For this reason, it has been reported in various verses that the Prophet's duty is not necessarily to bring people to guidance, but only to convey the revelation. (QUR’AN WAY, 5/612, 613) The word "remind" means to say sweet and effective words that will soften the heart. The use of "only" (innama) expresses that the Prophet's duty consists solely of giving advice and explaining the rulings of the Qur'an. (I. KARAGOZ,8/506, 507)

(22-24) ‘You are not a compeller/controller over those (disbelievers).’ You are not one to force them to look and think, to make them do everything you want, or to rule over their hearts and ensure they believe as you wish. "Indeed, you do not guide whom you like" (Kasas 28/56). (ELMALILI, 9/178) Even after the command of war for legitimate defense, the Prophet did not force disbelievers into faith; he only lived within the framework of law with other non-Muslims. ‘However, whoever turns away and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment.’ The greatest punishment is the punishment of the hereafter (Zümer 39/26). Although worldly punishment is sometimes added to it, it remains small compared to the punishment of the hereafter. (QUR’AN WAY, 5/613; ELMALILI, 9/179)

(26) ‘Then, the seeing of their account belongs only to Us.’ Ibn Kathir says: "We hold them accountable for their deeds and give them the recompense accordingly. If their deeds are good, We reward them with goodness; if they are evil, We punish them with evil." (S. HAWWA 16/173)