Commentary on Surah al-Ghāshiya (The Overwhelming Event)

“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.”

“Has the account of the Overwhelming Event reached you? * On that Day, some faces will be humbled, * laboring and weary, * burning in a scorching Fire, * given drink from a boiling spring. * They will have no food except a thorny plant, * which neither nourishes nor relieves hunger.”

The opening formula has already been discussed.

“Has the account of the Overwhelming Event reached you?” The address may be understood as directed to the Messenger—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his family—alone, with his nation included by extension. It may also be understood as applying generally to anyone who can be addressed. The question here is intended to arouse interest, as in the words of Allah Most High:

“O you who believe, shall I direct you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment?” [al-Saff: 10].

It may also be intended to emphasize the gravity of this account concerning the Overwhelming Event. “The account of the Overwhelming Event” means its news and report. The Overwhelming Event is the tremendous calamity that will engulf mankind: the Day of Resurrection. Allah has spoken of it frequently in the Quran and described it in momentous terms, such as His words:

“O mankind, fear your Lord. The convulsion of the Hour is indeed a terrible thing. On the Day you see it, every nursing mother will forget the child she is nursing, every pregnant woman will miscarry, and you will see people as though intoxicated, although they are not intoxicated. Rather, Allah’s punishment is severe” [al-Hajj: 1, 2].

Allah, Glorified and Exalted, then divided mankind on that Day into two groups, saying: “On that Day, some faces will be humbled.” “Humbled” means abased, as Allah Most High says: “And you will see them being exposed