Al-Humazah
الْهُمَزَة
Meaning: The Slanderer
A stern warning against two evil traits: backbiting others and hoarding wealth stingily.
وَيْلٌ لِكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُمَزَةٍ
Waylul-likulli humazatil-lumazah
Woe to every slanderer and backbiter,
الَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالًا وَعَدَّدَهُ
Alladzii jama'a maalan wa 'addadah
who collects wealth and counts it,
يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ أَخْلَدَهُ
Yahsabu anna maalahuu akhladah
thinking his wealth will make him immortal.
كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنْبَذَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَةِ
Kallaa layunbadzanna fil-hutamah
By no means! He will surely be cast into the Crusher.
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحُطَمَةُ
Wa maa adraaka mal-hutamah
And what will make you know what the Crusher is?
نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوقَدَةُ
Naarullaahil-muuqadah
It is the kindled fire of Allah,
الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ
Allatii tat-tali'u 'alal-af-idah
which mounts up to the hearts.
إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِمْ مُؤْصَدَةٌ
Innahaa 'alayhim mu'shadah
Indeed, it will be closed down upon them,
فِي عَمَدٍ مُمَدَّدَةٍ
Fii 'amadim-mumaddadah
in extended columns.
Tafsir for Children
Al-Humazah condemns two behaviors: first, gossiping and speaking ill of people behind their backs. Second, hoarding wealth stingily. Interestingly: these two often appear in the same person — being stingy with money often goes with being 'stingy with the tongue' too. For children: guard your tongue and keep your hands ready to share.
When to recite
When a child needs to understand that words have consequences. When discussing speech etiquette at home.
- Themes
- akhlakperingatanharta
- Verse count
- 9