هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْغَـٰشِيَةِ 1
Translations
Has there reached you the report of the Overwhelming [event]?
Transliteration
Hal ataka hadith al-ghashiyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Ghashiyah addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with a rhetorical question: "Has there come to you the news of the Overwhelming (Event)?" Al-Ghashiyah refers to the Day of Judgment, which will overwhelm and cover all people with its magnitude and terror. Ibn Kathir notes that this powerful opening is meant to capture attention and prepare the listener for the detailed description of the Day of Judgment that follows, emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of this divine event.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ghashiyah is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of the Prophet's mission when belief in the Hereafter was a central theme of preaching. The surah begins by drawing the Prophet's attention to this momentous event, setting the stage for vivid descriptions of Paradise and Hell that follow, designed to inspire fear of Allah and righteousness among the believers and to warn the disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Day of Resurrection will not be established until... the sun rises from the west,' mentioned in Sahih Muslim 2790, which relates to the overwhelming nature of signs preceding the Day of Judgment. Additionally, the Prophet emphasized the certainty of the Hour in various hadiths, such as in Jami' at-Tirmidhi where he urged preparation for meeting Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that the Day of Judgment is not a distant or uncertain event, but a real and certain reality that demands our attention and preparation. Muslims should cultivate consciousness of the Hereafter in their daily lives, allowing this awareness to motivate righteous conduct and sincere devotion to Allah.