As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 56, Al-Wãqi‘a or the Inevitable, verses 39-56. These verses talk of the third of three groups into which some of mankind will be divided – the punishment of those who appear on the left-hand side.
Tafseer for this selection contrasts those in Bliss from the previous episode and those of misery in today’s selection as well as a refresher on the Tree of Zaqqûm.
If you enjoy the podcast, HELP SPREAD THE WORD! Tell your friends and family, subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher and write us a review.
Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Many of them will be from the former[39] and many from the later generations.[40] As for those of the left hand – how unfortunate will be the people of the left hand![41] They will be in the midst of scorching winds and in boiling water:[42] in the shade of a pitch-black smoke,[43] neither cool nor refreshing.[44]
For they lived in comfort before meeting this fate.[45] They persisted in heinous sins[46] and used to say: “When we are dead and turned to dust and bones, shall we then be raised to life again?[47] And our forefathers, too?”[48] Tell them: “Surely those of old and those of present age[49] shall certainly be brought together on an appointed time of a known Day.[50]
Then, “O the mistaken rejecters,[51] you shall eat of the Zaqqûm tree,[52] and fill your bellies with it;[53] and drink on top of it scalding water;[54] yet you shall drink it like a thirsty camel.”[55] Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Reckoning.[56] 56:[39-56]
Ameen.
Tafseer
Concerning verse 42, which mentioned the fierce blast of fire and boiling water.
Note the parallelism in the contrast between those in Bliss and those in Misery. The allegory in each case pursues the idea of contrast, and the allegories about Misery lose nothing by their terse brevity. The fierce Blast of Fire and the Boiling Water are in contrast to the happy Lote tree and the flowers and fruits in verses 28-29.
For verses 28-29, see the previous episode, Surah 58 (Al-Wãqi‘a), Verses 1-38.
The tree of Zaqqûm in verse 52 was mentioned in a previous episode – Surah 44 (Adh-Dukhân), Verses 43-59.
The opposite of delicious fruits is the terrible tree of Zaqqûm, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.