Explanations are simplified from tafsirs by Ibn Kathir, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
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1
١
hal atāka ḥadīthu l-ghāshiyati
Has there reached you the report of the Overwhelming [event]?
2
٢
wujūhun yawma-idhin khāshiʿatun
[Some] faces, that Day, will be humbled,
3
٣
ʿāmilatun nāṣibatun
Working [hard] and exhausted.
4
٤
taṣlā nāran ḥāmiyatan
They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire.
5
٥
tus'qā min ʿaynin āniyatin
They will be given drink from a boiling spring.
6
٦
laysa lahum ṭaʿāmun illā min ḍarīʿin
For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant
7
٧
lā yus'minu walā yugh'nī min jūʿin
Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.
8
٨
wujūhun yawma-idhin nāʿimatun
[Other] faces, that Day, will show pleasure.
9
٩
lisaʿyihā rāḍiyatun
With their effort [they are] satisfied
10
١٠
fī jannatin ʿāliyatin
In an elevated garden,
11
١١
lā tasmaʿu fīhā lāghiyatan
Wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech.
12
١٢
fīhā ʿaynun jāriyatun
Within it is a flowing spring.
13
١٣
fīhā sururun marfūʿatun
Within it are couches raised high
14
١٤
wa-akwābun mawḍūʿatun
And cups put in place
15
١٥
wanamāriqu maṣfūfatun
And cushions lined up
16
١٦
wazarābiyyu mabthūthatun
And carpets spread around.
17
١٧
afalā yanẓurūna ilā l-ibili kayfa khuliqat
Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created?
18
١٨
wa-ilā l-samāi kayfa rufiʿat
And at the sky - how it is raised?
19
١٩
wa-ilā l-jibāli kayfa nuṣibat
And at the mountains - how they are erected?
20
٢٠
wa-ilā l-arḍi kayfa suṭiḥat
And at the earth - how it is spread out?
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Surah Al-Ghashiyah (The Overwhelming) — Full Text
Ayah 1
هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْغَـٰشِيَةِ
Has there reached you the report of the Overwhelming [event]?
The surah opens with a gripping question: has the news of the Overwhelming Event reached you? Al-Ghashiyah literally means "the one that covers everything" — it's a name for the Day of Judgment because it will completely engulf and overwhelm all of humanity. No one escapes it, no one can hide from it. This dramatic opening is meant to shake you out of autopilot and make you pay attention to what's coming next.
Ayah 2
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَـٰشِعَةٌ
[Some] faces, that Day, will be humbled,
On that Day, some faces will be downcast and humiliated. These are the people who refused to humble themselves before Allah in this life — they wouldn't bow down in worship or submit to His guidance. The irony is tough: the humility they refused to show voluntarily in this world will be forced upon them on that Day, but by then it won't help them at all.
Ayah 3
عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ
Working [hard] and exhausted.1
These people will be laboring and exhausted — completely worn out. Here's the heartbreaking part: many of them actually worked hard in this life doing what they thought were good deeds or religious practices, but because they were on the wrong path (worshipping false gods, following made-up rituals), none of it counted. All that effort, all that dedication, and it led nowhere. It's a sobering reminder that sincerity alone isn't enough — you also need to be on the right track.
Ayah 4
تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً
They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire.
They'll be thrown into an intensely scorching fire. The word used here (hamiyah) emphasizes that this isn't like any fire you know — its heat never decreases and never dies out. Unlike the fires of this world that eventually burn out or cool down, the fire of the Hereafter is eternal and relentless. It's described this way to make the point that nothing in our experience can truly compare to it.
Ayah 5
تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ
They will be given drink from a boiling spring.
Their only drink will be from a boiling spring — water that has reached its absolute maximum temperature. Imagine being desperately thirsty and the only thing available makes your suffering worse. There's no relief, no cooling down, no refreshment. Everything about their experience in the Hereafter is the opposite of comfort — a stark contrast to what the believers will enjoy, as the surah is about to describe.
Ayah 6
لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ
For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant
Their only food will be dari — a bitter, thorny plant that even animals avoid in this world. It's foul-smelling, poisonous, and completely repulsive. In the Arabian desert, people knew this plant well and understood just how terrible it was. The point is that the people of Hellfire won't even have access to the most basic, edible food — they'll be stuck with the worst possible thing, and even that won't satisfy them.
Ayah 7
لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِن جُوعٍ
Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.
This food won't nourish them or satisfy their hunger in any way. It's the ultimate lose-lose: you eat but get nothing from it, no energy, no relief from hunger, no comfort whatsoever. When some Meccans mockingly said their camels eat this plant and get fat, Allah corrected them — the dari of the Hereafter is nothing like its worldly version. It exists purely as punishment, not sustenance.
Ayah 8
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ
[Other] faces, that Day, will show pleasure.
Now the surah flips the script completely — other faces on that Day will be radiant and joyful. You can literally see the happiness glowing on them. After those intense verses about the people of the Fire, this contrast hits different. It's like going from a horror scene straight into a peaceful garden. The joy on their faces reflects the inner peace and satisfaction they'll feel, knowing that everything they did in this life was worth it.
Ayah 9
لِّسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ
With their effort [they are] satisfied
These people will be fully pleased and satisfied with the effort they put in during their worldly life. Every prayer they prayed, every temptation they resisted, every good deed they did — they'll see all of it rewarded beyond their wildest expectations. Unlike the exhausted group from earlier whose hard work went to waste, this group's effort actually paid off. The key difference? They were on the right path.
Ayah 10
فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ
In an elevated garden,
They'll be in a lofty, elevated Paradise — high in rank, honor, and beauty. This isn't some basic reward; it's described as "high" to convey its supreme quality and status. Everything about their dwelling is elevated — the location, the experience, and the prestige. It's the ultimate upgrade for people who chose faith and good deeds over the temporary pleasures of this world.
Ayah 11
لَّا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَـٰغِيَةً
Wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech.1
In this Paradise, they won't hear any foolish, hurtful, or meaningless talk. No gossip, no lies, no negativity, no drama — just peace. Think about how much stress and anxiety in our lives comes from toxic conversations and harmful words. Allah is saying that Paradise is not just physically beautiful but also emotionally and mentally peaceful. Your ears and heart are completely at rest there.
Ayah 12
فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ
Within it is a flowing spring.
There will be flowing springs in Paradise — not stagnant, but constantly running with fresh, pure water. This isn't just one spring either; it refers to many springs and rivers, some flowing with water, some with milk, some with honey. For desert Arabs who knew the preciousness of water, this image would have been the ultimate dream. It represents unlimited abundance and refreshment that never runs out.
Ayah 13
فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ
Within it are couches raised high
Elevated thrones will be set up for them — raised high, luxurious, and dignified. These aren't just chairs; they're symbols of honor and royal treatment. The people of Paradise will be treated like royalty, seated on beautiful, lofty couches where they can survey the incredible blessings around them. It's Allah's way of honoring those who honored their faith in the world.
Ayah 14
وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ
And cups put in place
Cups and goblets will be placed at hand, ready and waiting. No need to ask, no waiting around — everything is prepared and set in its perfect place before you even think of it. There's a beautiful life lesson tucked in here too: keeping things organized and in their proper place is part of good living. Allah arranges even the details of Paradise with care and order.
Ayah 15
وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ
And cushions lined up
Cushions will be lined up in rows — plush, comfortable, and arranged beautifully. Picture the most luxurious lounge setting you can imagine, then multiply it infinitely. Every detail of comfort is accounted for. The imagery here is meant to convey that Paradise isn't just about big rewards — even the smallest comforts are perfected.
Ayah 16
وَزَرَابِىُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ
And carpets spread around.
Rich, beautiful carpets will be spread out everywhere. The word used (zarabi) refers to fine, ornate carpets — the kind that would be considered the most luxurious in Arabian culture. They're spread out generously so you can sit wherever you want, whenever you want. Every single detail of Paradise is designed for complete ease and enjoyment. After describing both Hell and Paradise, the surah now shifts to a powerful question.
Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created?
Do they not look at the camels — how they were created? After painting vivid pictures of the Hereafter, Allah now brings people back to the present and tells them to just look around. The camel was the most important animal for the Arabs: incredibly strong yet gentle enough for a child to lead, able to survive a week without water, capable of carrying massive loads across scorching deserts. Its design screams intelligent creation. If you can't see God's power in something you ride every day, you're not paying attention.
Ayah 18
وَإِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ
And at the sky - how it is raised?
And at the sky — how it's been raised so high? Look up. The sky stretches above you with no pillars, no cracks, no flaws — perfectly constructed and held in place. It's decorated with stars and maintains itself without any visible support. This isn't something humans could ever engineer. The point is simple: the same God who built something this magnificent above your head can definitely resurrect you after death.
Ayah 19
وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ
And at the mountains - how they are erected?
And at the mountains — how they're firmly set in place? Mountains are like anchors driven into the earth, keeping it stable so it doesn't shake beneath you. They contain minerals, water sources, and countless benefits. Their sheer size and permanence should make you reflect on the power of the One who placed them there. Everything in the natural world is a sign pointing back to its Creator.
Ayah 20
وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ
And at the earth - how it is spread out?
And at the earth — how it's been spread out? The ground beneath your feet is smooth and livable, perfectly suited for you to walk on, build on, and grow food from. Allah spread it out and made it manageable for human life, despite the planet's massive size and complex structure. These four signs — the camel, sky, mountains, and earth — are things people encounter daily, yet most walk right past them without reflecting on the Creator behind it all.
Ayah 21
فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ
So remind, [O Muḥammad]; you are only a reminder.
So remind them, because your only role is to remind. After laying out the evidence — the afterlife and the signs in creation — Allah now turns to the Prophet and tells him: just keep delivering the message. You've done your part by warning people and pointing them toward the truth. The purpose of calling people to God is to gently awaken their hearts through reflection and peaceful persuasion, not force.
Ayah 22
لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ
You are not over them a controller.
You are not a controller or enforcer over them. This is such a profound verse — it relieves the Prophet (and by extension, anyone sharing the message of Islam) from the burden of results. You can't force anyone to believe; you can't create faith in someone's heart. That's Allah's domain. Your job is to share the truth clearly and kindly. What people do with it is between them and God.
Ayah 23
إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ
However, he who turns away and disbelieves
But whoever turns away and disbelieves — meaning they heard the truth clearly, understood it, and still chose to reject it and walk away. This isn't about someone who genuinely never heard the message or didn't understand it. This is about deliberate, conscious rejection after the evidence has been laid out. There's a big difference between honest confusion and willful denial.
Ayah 24
فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ
Then Allāh will punish him with the greatest punishment.
Then Allah will punish them with the greatest punishment. This ties back to the opening verses about the humiliated faces and the scorching fire. The consequences described at the start of the surah are meant for exactly this group — those who knowingly chose disbelief despite having every reason to believe. The greatest punishment is reserved for the greatest rebellion.
Ayah 25
إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ
Indeed, to Us is their return.
Indeed, to Us is their return. No matter what people choose in this life — belief or denial, obedience or rebellion — everyone is coming back to Allah. There's no alternative destination, no escape route. This verse is both a warning and a comfort: a warning to those who think they can avoid accountability, and a comfort to the believers who trust that justice will ultimately be served.
Ayah 26
ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم
Then indeed, upon Us is their account.
Then upon Us is their reckoning. Allah closes the surah by taking full ownership of the final judgment. He will hold everyone accountable — every deed, every choice, every intention. Good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be met with its consequence. This ending reinforces the surah's core message: the Overwhelming Event is real, the signs are everywhere, and the only rational response is to take it seriously and prepare for it.