Surah Al-Humazah 104:4
سُورَةُ الهُمَزَةِ · Meccan · Verse 4 of 9
كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِى ٱلْحُطَمَةِ
Translation
No indeed! He will be thrust into the Crusher!
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse begins with a stark rejection and a severe warning.
A Resounding Reprimand
The word كَلَّا (Kalla) immediately sets a firm tone. It means "never," or "by no means," serving as a strong deterrent and a repudiation of the delusion mentioned in the previous verse (that one's wealth will make them immortal). It's Allah's direct and emphatic dismissal of such a flawed belief.
Cast Aside with Contempt
Following this, the Quran states, لَيُنْبَذَنَّ (layunbadhanna). This word is powerfully constructed. The initial لَ (lam) is an oath, making it a divinely sworn promise, while the نَّ (nun) at the end adds intense emphasis. The core meaning of نَبْذ (nabdh) is "to throw away" or "cast aside." As Ibn Ashur explains, this term is primarily used for discarding something that is despised or disliked. Al-Zamakhshari further illustrates this, comparing it to someone contemptuously throwing away mere pebbles. This choice of word highlights the utter worthlessness and humiliation that awaits the one who gathers wealth and gloats over it, while slandering others. They will be thrown into the Fire with disdain, stripped of any perceived status. Al-Razi points out that this verb is used in the passive voice (meaning "he will *be* thrown"), emphasizing that the action will be done *to* him, a consequence he cannot escape.
The Crusher
The destination is then named: فِي ٱلْحُطَمَةِ (fil-Hutamah). This is not just any fire. The word الحُطَمَة (al-Hutamah) comes from the root حَطَمَ (hatama), meaning "to crush," "to break," or "to shatter." It is a powerful descriptive name for Hell, unique to the Quran. The linguistic pattern of فُعَلَة (fu'alah), as seen in الحُطَمَة and also in الهُمَزَة (al-Humazah) from the first verse, suggests an intense, habitual characteristic. Just as the 'humazah' (slanderer) habitually breaks and diminishes others with their words, the 'Hutamah' is characterized by its ability to crush and shatter everything thrown into it. Al-Razi beautifully highlights this rhetorical balance: the slanderer breaks reputations, and in return, they will face a fire that breaks them, body and soul. It will not just burn the skin but "break bones and eat flesh until it reaches the hearts," as described by some scholars. This vivid wording underscores the crushing, inescapable severity of the punishment.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Humazah 104:4 is discussed in 4 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 104:4 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.