إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِىٓ أَصْلِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ 64
Translations
Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,
Transliteration
Innaha shajaratun takhrudu fee asli al-jaheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the tree of Zaqqum, which grows at the root of Hell (Jahannam), emphasizing its horrifying nature as a punishment for the disbelievers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this tree is a sign of Allah's justice and serves as a warning to those who reject faith. The tree's location 'at the root of Hell' signifies its integral role in the torment of the inhabitants of the Hellfire, growing from the very depths of perdition.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which was revealed during the early Islamic period to warn the Quraysh and all humanity about the consequences of disbelief and disobedience. The surah uses vivid imagery of the afterlife to motivate believers and deter disbelievers from rejecting the message of Allah's oneness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the tree of Zaqqum: 'The tree of Zaqqum is the worst food of the people of the Fire.' (Tirmidhi and authenticated by scholars). Additionally, Surah Ad-Dukhan (44:43-46) provides complementary details about this tree's bitter taste and painful consumption.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to reflect on the seriousness of rejecting divine guidance and to maintain righteousness as protection from such severe punishment. The vivid description serves as a powerful reminder that our choices in this life have eternal consequences, encouraging sincere repentance and steadfastness in faith.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوا۟ وَٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِى وَرُسُلِى هُزُوًا
That is their recompense - Hell - for what they denied and [because] they took My signs and My messengers in ridicule.
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ وَسَعَىٰ فِى خَرَابِهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَآ إِلَّا خَآئِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allāh from being mentioned [i.e., praised] in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment.