88. Al-Ghaashiyah (The Overwhelming Calamity)
Revealed in Makkah, this sūrah of 26 verses derives its name from the word al-ghāshiyah or Al-Ghaashiyah (the overwhelming, meaning the Resurrection Day) in the first verse. It draws attention to the hardships and punishment the unbelievers will suffer in the Hereafter, and the bliss with which the believers will be favored. It also calls on us to reflect on some manifestations and evidence of God’s Power and Wisdom.
In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.
1. Has the account of the Overwhelming come to you?
2. Some faces will on that Day be downcast,
3. Having toiled (in the world) only to weariness (with no portion in the Hereafter).
4. They will enter the hot, burning Fire to roast;
5. They will be given to drink from a boiling spring.
6. No food will there be for them but a poisonous thorny plant:
7. It will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.
8. And some faces on that Day will be in delight,
9. Well-pleased with (the fruit of) their endeavor (in the world),
10. In a lofty Garden,
11. Wherein they will hear no idle talk.1
12. Therein will be a flowing spring,
13. Therein couches raised high,
14. And goblets placed ready,
15. And cushions arrayed,
16. And rich carpets spread out.
17. Do they not consider the camels— how they are created?
18. And the heaven— how it has been raised high?
19. And the mountains— how they have been set firm?
20. And the earth— how it has been spread out?
21. And so, remind and exhort (them), for you are one (whose duty is) to remind and exhort.
22. You are not one to dictate (faith) to them.
23. But whoever turns away (averse to reminder and exhortation) and disbelieves (in what is conveyed to him),
24. God will punish him with the greatest punishment (of Hell).
25. Indeed, to Us is their return.
26. Thereafter, it is for Us to call them to account.
The Qur’an with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English
1. It is interesting that one of the first blessings of the lofty Garden will be that there is no idle talk in it. This means that Paradise is not a place where its inhabitants will be entertained as the worldly people are used to amusing themselves in the world. Every blessing of Paradise is pure and noble in character, as its inhabitants will be purified, noble persons. The verse also implies a warning against idle talk and meaningless amusements in the world.