وَطَعَامًا ذَا غُصَّةٍ وَعَذَابًا أَلِيمًا 13
Translations
And food that chokes and a painful punishment -
Transliteration
Wa ta'aman dha ghussatin wa 'adhaban aliman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the food of the inhabitants of Hell as choking and difficult to swallow, accompanied by severe and painful punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the bitter fruit of the Zaqqum tree, which causes extreme suffering when consumed. The phrase 'ghussah' (choking) emphasizes both the physical difficulty of consuming such food and the spiritual anguish that accompanies it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Al-Muzzammil, which addresses the severe consequences awaiting those who reject divine guidance and persist in wrongdoing. The surah was revealed in Mecca and serves to warn the disbelievers about the reality of the afterlife and divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the Zaqqum tree: 'It is a tree that grows in the bottom of Hell, its fruit like the heads of devils' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:6) describes the food of Hell in similar terms, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This vivid description serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of accountability in the afterlife, urging believers to reflect on their deeds and seek righteousness, while inspiring a healthy fear of Allah's punishment that motivates spiritual discipline and moral conduct.