Surah Ad-Dukhan, Ayah 47

The Condition of the Idolators and Their Punishment on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He will punish the disbelievers who deny the meeting with Him:

إِنَّ شَجَرَةَ الزَّقُّومِ - طَعَامُ الاٌّثِيمِ

(Verily, the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the sinners.) Those who sinned by their words and in deeds. These are the disbelievers. More than one commentator stated that this referred to Abu Jahl; undoubtedly he is included among those referred to in this Ayah, but it is not specifically about him. Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Ad-Darda' was reciting to a man:

إِنَّ شَجَرَةَ الزَّقُّومِ - طَعَامُ الاٌّثِيمِ

(Verily, the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the sinners.) The man said, "The food of the orphan." Abu Ad-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Say, the tree of Zaqqum is the food of the evildoer." i.e., he will not have any other food apart from that. Mujahid said, "If a drop of it were to fall on the earth, it would corrupt the living of all the people of earth." A similar Marfu` report has been narrated earlier.

Commentary

Punishment and Reward of the Hereafter

In these verses, according to the style of the Qur'an, Allah describes Hell and the way the unbelievers will be punished, and Paradise and the way the believers will be rewarded.

Punishment of the Dwellers of Hell

"Indeed the tree of zaqqum... (44:43) ". Some necessary information regarding the reality of zaqqum has been given in Surah As-Saffat. Please see under (37:64-65). Here the Qur'an apparently indicates that the infidels will be given zaqqum to eat even before they enter Hell, because in this verse the Qur'an says that after having fed them with zaqqum they will be seized by the keepers of Hell and dragged into the middle of the blazing fire of Hell. According to some commentators, this is the meaning of (56:56) Surah –Al-Waqi'ah هَـٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ (This will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital". They argue that the word nuzul (entertainment) originally refers to the starter food and provision served to guests to make them feel welcome before the main course of entertainment is served. The main course of food and provision served later on is called diyafah or ma'dubah. The wordings of the Qur'an do carry the possibility that the feeding of zaqqum could be after the entry into Hell. In this case the word nuzul would refer, by extension, to the main course of meals and provisions served. The verse under comment which speaks about 'dragging the dweller of Hell towards the middle of the blazing fire' means, he would already be in Hell but after feeding him zaqqum he will be dragged towards the middle of the fire to expose him to a greater degree of disgrace and torture. Allah knows best! (Condensed from Bayan-ul-Qur'an).

If one ponders over the system of heaven and earth—indeed, of the entire universe, it will become clear that its creation was effected with a definite purpose. Had this not been so, it would have been impossible in this world for man to build up glorious cultures. Its entire functioning being meaningful is an indication that it will end also in a meaningful and purposeful way. It is unimaginable that its end could be otherwise. Its end, in reality, will herald the commencement of the life Hereafter. And belief in the Hereafter is but an extension of universal meaningfulness. The present stage of the world is that of trial. So, everyone finds his share in the meaningfulness of this world. But, in the Hereafter, only those who are actually deserving in the eyes of God, will find a share in the meaningfulness of the afterlife.