Surah Al-Humazah: A Fire Awaiting Slanderers, Backbiters
However, they should know that severe punishment awaits them, according to Surah Al-Humazah.
Al-Humazah is the name of the 104th chapter of the Holy Quran that has 9 verses and is in the 30th Juz.
It is Makki and the 32nd chapter revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The word Humazah that comes in the first verse gives the Surah its name. It is also called Lumazah, another word in the first verse. Humazah and Lumazah refer to those who talk about others’ flaws and engage in backbiting.
God in this chapter warns those who collect and horde wealth in order to gain superiority over other people that they will be thrown into crushing and consuming fire.
Some Quran interpreters believe this Surah was revealed about those who engaged in slandering and backbiting the Holy Prophet (PBUH) or those who wanted to defame him.
The Surah gives a stern warning to those who are passionate about collecting and amassing wealth and want to humiliate others with this wealth. They imagine their wealth makes them everlasting but that is not true.
The chapter begins with the word Wail (Woe to), which is the gravest warning in the Quran. It is about those who mock, slander or backbite others.
God says they will be thrown into al-Hutama (crushing and consuming fire, a fire that “is a fierce fire created by God to penetrate into the hearts. It will engulf them in its long columns of flames.” (Verses 6-9)
The fire is called Narullah (fire of God) which is probably to show how big it is.
The fire penetrates into their hearts and engulfs them because they hurt the hearts of others with their words.
The word al-Hutama comes only in this Surah of the Quran and refers to a fire that first penetrates into the hearts and burns from inside and then burns the outside of the body.
