وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ 40
Translations
And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.
Transliteration
Wa-wujuhun yawma-idhin 'alayha ghabarah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the faces of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment being covered with dust and darkness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret 'ghabarah' (dust/darkness) as a metaphorical description of the humiliation, disgrace, and gloom that will cover their faces due to their rejection of faith. This stands in contrast to the radiant faces of the believers mentioned in the preceding verses, emphasizing the stark difference in their final destinations.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah 'Abasa, a Meccan surah that describes scenes from the Day of Judgment. It follows the depiction of the blessed faces of the believers (80:38-39) and precedes the description of the disbelievers' final state (80:41-42). The surah's opening addresses the Prophet's frown at a blind companion, then transitions to vivid eschatological imagery contrasting the fates of believers and disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The concept is related to a hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the faces of the people of Paradise being bright and radiant, while those of the people of the Hellfire would be dark and covered with filth, reflecting the spiritual state of each group.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that our choices in this life—particularly regarding faith and obedience to Allah—have eternal consequences reflected in our state on the Day of Judgment. It should motivate believers to seek the radiant faces promised to the righteous and encourage sincere repentance and faith.