إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا 25
Translations
Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -
Transliteration
Illa hamiman wa-ghassaqa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the drink of the inhabitants of Hell, referring to boiling water (hamim) and a discharge from the wounds of the damned (ghassaq). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that these represent the most repugnant and painful beverages, emphasizing the severe punishment awaiting the deniers of Allah's signs. The mention of these specific punishments serves as a deterrent and highlights the contrast with the provisions given to the righteous in the preceding ayahs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Naba, a Meccan chapter that contrasts the blessings prepared for the believers with the punishments awaiting the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment. The surah systematically describes both Paradise and Hell to convince the Meccan disbelievers of the reality of the afterlife and divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the drink of the people of Hell: 'The most evil drink is that which will be given to the people of the Fire' (referenced in Sunan At-Tirmidhi and similar sources). Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains descriptions of the punishments of Hell mentioned by the Prophet.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate consequences of rejecting divine guidance and turning away from righteousness. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance, obedience to Allah, and mindfulness of the afterlife as motivations for ethical conduct in this world.
Related Ayahs
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُودٍ
And they were [therefore] followed in this world with a curse and [as well] on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, ʿAad denied their Lord; then away with ʿAad, the people of Hūd.
فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
So Allāh made them taste disgrace in worldly life. But the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذْنَا مُتْرَفِيهِم بِٱلْعَذَابِ إِذَا هُمْ يَجْـَٔرُونَ
Until when We seize their affluent ones with punishment, at once they are crying [to Allāh] for help.
فَلَمَّا نَسُوا۟ مَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَٰبَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتُوٓا۟ أَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ
So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair.