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
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ
So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.
فَإِن رَّجَعَكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَٱسْتَـْٔذَنُوكَ لِلْخُرُوجِ فَقُل لَّن تَخْرُجُوا۟ مَعِىَ أَبَدًا وَلَن تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ مَعِىَ عَدُوًّا ۖ إِنَّكُمْ رَضِيتُم بِٱلْقُعُودِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَـٰلِفِينَ
If Allāh should return you to a faction of them [after the expedition] and then they ask your permission to go out [to battle], say, "You will not go out with me, ever, and you will never fight with me an enemy. Indeed, you were satisfied with sitting [at home] the first time, so sit [now] with those who stay behind."
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.