Surah Al-Humazah 104:1
سُورَةُ الهُمَزَةِ · Meccan · Verse 1 of 9
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَيْلٌۭ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍۢ لُّمَزَةٍ
Translation
Woe to every fault-finding backbiter
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Surah al-Humazah opens with a powerful warning, drawing our attention immediately to a particular destructive character trait. The very first word, وَيْلٌ (Wailun), sets a grave tone. This word signifies a deep sense of woe, destruction, or sorrow. As al-Razi explains, it is a word of blame and anger, akin to a lament uttered by someone in great distress. Some scholars, like al-Jalalayn, also interpret it as the name of a valley in Hell. This strong opening serves as a severe threat of punishment from Allah Himself.
For Everyone Who Harms
The phrase لِّكُلِّ (li-kulli), meaning "for every," is highly significant. Ibn Ashur and al-Jadwal highlight that this choice of wording makes the warning universal. It's not limited to a specific person or group, even though there might have been particular individuals whose actions prompted the revelation of this Surah. Instead, it encompasses *anyone* who embodies the qualities that follow, making it a direct call for self-reflection for every believer.
The Character of Harm
The heart of this verse lies in the two descriptive words: هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ (humazatin lumazatin). These are not just casual descriptions; their very grammatical form, *fu'alah*, signifies intensity and habitual behavior. Ibn Ashur, al-Razi, and al-Zamakhshari all emphasize that this form denotes someone who constantly, excessively, and habitually engages in the action, to the point that it becomes an ingrained part of their character. Think of someone called a "laugher" (ḍuḥakah), meaning they are always laughing. Similarly, *humazah* and *lumazah* describe someone whose life is marked by belittling and criticizing others.
Scholars have offered nuanced understandings of these two terms:
* Humazah (هُمَزَةٍ): Ibn Ashur explains this as someone who criticizes others through gestures, a sneer, a roll of the eyes, a nod of the head, either in their presence or behind their back. al-Razi adds that it can refer to breaking someone's honor or criticizing by hand, or even secretly through facial expressions.
* Lumazah (لُّمَزَةٍ): Ibn Ashur describes this as confronting someone directly with criticism or fault-finding. al-Razi clarifies it as criticizing with the tongue, whether openly or behind their back.
While the exact distinction varies among scholars, the core meaning is consistent: both terms refer to someone who habitually finds fault, slanders, and belittles others, whether through subtle gestures, direct insults, or backbiting. This verse confronts us with the profound evil of making a habit of demeaning others, reminding us that such conduct incurs a severe warning from Allah.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Humazah 104:1 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Humazah 104:1 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.