Al-Ghashiyah: Explanation and Benefits

by Eman Abdallah Kamel

Eman is a writer and an engineer. Moreover, she studied Islamic Studies (Shariah) and Arabic at Zad Scientific Academy (Online Academy).

In this article, you will learn the explanation and benefits of Surah Al-Ghashiyah (The Overwhelming). Image source: alamphoto.com

Al-Ghashiyah (The Overwhelming)

Surah Al-Ghashiyah describes the conditions of creatures on the Day of Resurrection. The conditions of people on this great Day are divided into two sections: those of Hell and those of Paradise.

The case of the infidels who denied God, didn’t worship Him, and denied the resurrection. Their faces will be humiliated and tired on that day. They will be given water from a boiling spring. There is no food for the people of Hell except a poisonous plant with thorns that does not benefit them.

The faces of the believers on the Day of Resurrection will be blessed. They are pleased with their efforts in this world through acts of worship. These believers will be in an elevated garden, in which they will not hear idle talk, in which there is a spring with waters flowing, in which there are lofty couches, cups prepared for the drinkers, and cushions lined up, one next to the other, and many rugs furnished.

Then the verses are mentioned to reflect on the universe, creatures, and how they were created.

Allah Almighty then says to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him): Remind and preach those who deny the Resurrection and do not grieve (O Messenger) over their denial, but you are just a reminder. And you do not have to force them to believe.

At the end of the verses, God says those who refused to believe and continued to disbelieve will be severely punished. To Us is their return after death, and then We have to hold them accountable.

Surah Al-Ghashiya: Meccan; Surah number: 88; the number of verses: 26; the number of words: 92.

Explanation (Tafsir)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

{1} Has the news of Al-Ghashiya (The Overwhelming Event) reached you, O Prophet?

Al-Ghashiyah means the Day of Resurrection. Meaning: Has the news of the resurrection that overwhelms people with anguish reached you, O Prophet?

{2} [Some] faces on that Day will be humiliated,

Meaning: The faces of the disbelievers who denied monotheism in God and denied resurrection after death will be humiliated on that Day. As Allah says:

And you will see them exposed to the Fire, humbled from humiliation.
Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation) 42:45

{3} Working [hard] and weary.

According to most Interpreters of the Holy Quran, this is the condition of the people of Hell in the Hereafter. They will be overburdened and exhausted. Because they were arrogant in this world to worship God.

{4} They will [enter to] burn in a scorching Fire,

{5} They will be left to drink from a boiling spring. As God says:

They will alternate between it [Hell] and scalding water.
Surah Ar-Rahman (The Beneficent) 55:44

{6} They will have no food except for Dari (a poisonous, thorny plant),

Did You Know?

Ad Dari ( Hell’s plan) is a poisonous, thorny shrub. It is found in the deserts of Egypt, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabs call Ad-Dari Ash-Shibriq when it dries up and withers.

{7} Which neither nourishes nor satisfies hunger.

{8} [Other] faces, on that Day, will be glowing with bliss.

Meaning: The faces of believers on the Day of Resurrection will be blessed.

{9} With their striving [they are] satisfied,

Meaning: For their efforts in this world, with obedience to God and good deeds, they will be satisfied in the Hereafter.

{10} In an elevated garden,

{11} Where they will hear no unsuitable talk.

Meaning: In Paradise, no idle talk will be heard. As Allah Almighty says:

25. There they will never hear any idle or sinful speech—

26. Only good and virtuous talk.
Al Waqi’ah (The Inevitable) 56:25,26

{12} Within it will be a running spring. Allah Almighty says:

The description of the Paradise, which the righteous are promised, is that in it are rivers of fresh water, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to drink, and rivers of pure honey. In which they will have all kinds of fruits and forgiveness from their Lord. [Can they be] like those who stay eternally in the Fire, left to drink boiling water that will sever their intestines?
Muhammad 47:15

{Rivers of wine delicious to drink}: That is: it does not smell or taste bad. Rather, it is delicious in taste and smell. And do not take away minds, unlike the wine of this world.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) also said:

Paradise has one hundred grades, each of which is as big as the distance between heaven and earth. The highest of them is Firdaws and the best of them is Firdaws. [The Throne of God] is above Firdaws and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise. If you ask of Allah, ask Him for Firdaws.
Narrated by Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Grade Sahih. Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 4331, In-book reference: Book 37, Hadith 232, English translation: Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4331

Al-Firdaws: The garden. Al Firdaws is a name for the highest level of Paradise. It is the best and highest status in Paradise.

{13} Along with couches raised high,

{14} And cups set at hand,

{15} And cushions lined up,

{16} And [splendid] carpets spread around.

{17} Then do they not reflect on camels—how they were [masterfully] created?

Meaning: God Almighty tells those who do not believe in the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and everyone else to reflect on God’s creatures that indicate his monotheism.

The verses mentioned camels because they were the animals most used by the Arabs. Don’t they look at her wonderful creation and how God subjected it to people? Camels were used as a means of transportation. Meat and milk can be consumed. Skin and fur can be used.

To learn more about the health benefits of camel’s milk and meat, you can visit the following links:

Recent advances on camel milk Nutritional and health benefits and processing implications A review.

Nutritional values and health benefits of dromedary camel meat.

{18} And the sky—how it was raised;

Allah also says:

Have they not then looked at the heaven above them—how We built it and adorned it [with stars] and how it has no rifts?
Qaf (The Letter [Qaf]) 50:6

{19} And the mountains—how they were firmly set up;

Meaning: How they have been erected in such a great body. Indeed, they were firmly affixed to stabilize the earth. And He created them with the benefits and minerals they contain.

To learn more about the role of mountains in stabilizing the earth, visit the following link: The mountains as stabilizers for the earth.

{20} And the earth—how it was leveled out?

Meaning: It was extended widely and leveled out so people could live on it by farming, building, etc. The Earth’s flatness does not conflict with its spherical shape because of its large area.

{21} So remind [all, O Prophet], for your duty is only to remind.

{22} You are not a controller over them.

Meaning: You are not there to force them to believe. As Allah says:

We know best what they say, and you [O Prophet] are not [there] to force them [to believe]. But remind by the Qur’ān [only] those who fear My warning.
Qaf (The Letter [Qaf]) 50:45

{23} But whoever turns away and disbelieves,

Meaning: whoever turned away after the reminder and insisted on his disbelief.

{24} Then Allah will punish them with the greatest punishment.

Meaning: Hellfire is the greatest punishment. The torment in the Hereafter is more significant than any torment in this life. As Allah says:

We will surely let them taste some of the minor torment [in this life] before the major torment [of the Hereafter], so perhaps they will return [to the Right Path].
As-Sajdah (The Prostration) 32:21

{25} Indeed, to Us is their return. Meaning: Indeed, to Us is their return after death.

{26} Then indeed, upon Us is their reckoning.

Meaning: We will hold them accountable for what they have done in this worldly life, good and evil.

Benefits

The bliss of the Hereafter is not similar to what is in this world except for the names, but the facts are different. Allah says, {No soul can imagine what is kept hidden for them of delights of eyes [satisfaction] as a reward for what they used to do}. (As-Sajdah 32:17)
Allah Almighty describes Paradise and what is in it of bliss to urge diligence in worshiping Him and doing good deeds.
The statement of the Prophet Muhammad’s role in calling to Islam (submission to God) is to remind with the Quran only. This is the role of every preacher who wants to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him), a reminder of the Quran only. But Allah will then hold people accountable for their deeds. Allah Almighty said, {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent pattern}. (Al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces)) 33:21.
Only God Almighty can guide people to the right path. You can’t guide even the closest people to you except with the permission of God. Allah Almighty says:

Indeed, [O Prophet], you cannot guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
Al Qasas (The Stories) 28:56

Sources

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