Al-Ghashiyah (الغاشية)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ
Hal ataaka hadeesul ghaashiyah
HAS THERE COME unto thee the tiding of the Overshadowing Event?'
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَاشِعَةٌ
Wujoohuny yawma 'izin khaashi'ah
Some faces will on that Day be downcast,
عَامِلَةٌ نَاصِبَةٌ
'Aamilatun naasibah
toiling [under burdens of sin], worn out [by fear],
تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً
Taslaa naaran haamiyah
about to enter a glowing fire,
تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ آنِيَةٍ
Tusqaa min 'aynin aaniyah
given to drink from a boiling spring.
لَيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ ضَرِيعٍ
Laisa lahum ta'aamun illaa min daree'
No food for them save the bitterness of dry thorns,
لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ
Laa yusminu wa laa yughnee min joo'
which gives no strength and neither stills hunger.
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاعِمَةٌ
Wujoohuny yawma 'izin naa'imah
[And] some faces will on that Day shine with bliss,
لِسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ
Lisa'yihaa raadiyah
well-pleased with [the fruit of] their striving,
فِي جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ
Fee jannatin 'aaliyah
in a garden sublime,
لَا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَاغِيَةً
Laa tasma'u feehaa laaghiyah
wherein thou wilt hear no empty talk.
فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ
Feehaa 'aynun jaariyah
Countless springs will flow therein,
فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَرْفُوعَةٌ
Feehaa sururum marfoo'ah
[and] there will be thrones [of happiness] raised high,
وَأَكْوَابٌ مَوْضُوعَةٌ
Wa akwaabum mawdoo 'ah
and goblets placed ready,
وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ
Wa namaariqu masfoofah
and cushions ranged,
وَزَرَابِيُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ
Wa zaraabiyyu mabsoosah
and carpets spread out…
أَفَلَا يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَى الْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ
Afalaa yanzuroona ilalibili kaifa khuliqat
DO, THEN, they [who deny resurrection] never gaze at the clouds pregnant with water, [and observe] how they are created?
وَإِلَى السَّمَاءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ
Wa ilas samaaa'i kaifa rufi'at
And at the sky, how it is raised aloft?
وَإِلَى الْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ
Wa ilal jibaali kaifa nusibat
And at the mountains, how firmly they are reared?
وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ
Wa ilal ardi kaifa sutihat
And at the earth, how it is spread out?
فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُذَكِّرٌ
Fazakkir innama anta Muzakkir
And so, [O Prophet,] exhort them; thy task is only to exhort:
لَسْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِمُصَيْطِرٍ
Lasta 'alaihim bimusaitir
thou canst not compel them [to believe].
إِلَّا مَنْ تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ
Illaa man tawallaa wa kafar
However, as for him who turns away, being bent on denying the truth,
فَيُعَذِّبُهُ اللَّهُ الْعَذَابَ الْأَكْبَرَ
Fa yu'azzibuhul laahul 'azaabal akbar
him will God cause to suffer the greatest suffering [in the life to come]:
إِنَّ إِلَيْنَا إِيَابَهُمْ
Innaa ilainaaa iyaabahum
for behold, unto Us will be their return,
ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُمْ
Summa inna 'alainaa hisaabahum
and verily, It is for Us to call them to account.
Meaning
The Overwhelming
Ayas
26
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
88
Surah Al-Ghashiyah describes the Day of Judgment, focusing on the overwhelming events that will occur on that day. The key themes include:
The Day of Judgment: The Surah vividly describes the overwhelming event of the Day of Judgment when the earth will be shaken, and people will experience either joy or despair, depending on their deeds.
The fate of the disbelievers and the believers: The Surah contrasts the fate of the wicked who will face immense suffering and punishment, and the righteous who will receive eternal reward and bliss.
The signs in creation: It calls upon people to reflect on Allah’s creation, urging them to understand and contemplate the signs of Allah’s power in the natural world as a means to recognize His greatness
Reminder of the inevitability of the Day of Judgment: Surah Al-Ghashiyah emphasizes the reality and certainty of the Day of Judgment and the ultimate consequences of one’s deeds.
Warning to the disbelievers: The Surah serves as a warning to those who reject the truth and live in denial of the coming Judgment.
Encouragement to reflect on the signs of Allah’s creation: By contemplating the signs of nature, the Surah encourages believers to deepen their faith and awareness of Allah’s power.
Increases mindfulness of the Hereafter: Reciting this Surah helps believers remember the inevitability of the Day of Judgment, inspiring them to live a life of righteousness.
Encourages reflection on creation: It invites believers to reflect on the wonders of creation, recognizing them as signs of Allah’s greatness and mercy.
Spiritual reward: Reciting Surah Al-Ghashiyah regularly is believed to bring spiritual peace and protection from harm.
Reflection on the Day of Judgment:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Ghashiyah, Allah will protect him from the distress of the Day of Judgment and grant him peace.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Encouragement of contemplation:
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said: “Reflect on the signs of Allah’s creation, for they are meant to guide you to Him.” (Sahih Muslim)
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
