—for the future is a weak view.

“He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.” That is, this man imagines that his wealth will perpetuate him and preserve him, either physically or through his reputation. A person’s true lifespan is not merely the time he remains in this world; rather, it is the legacy that lives on after his death and the remembrance of him that remains in people’s hearts and on their tongues. Thus, in this verse, “He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal” means that it will perpetuate his memory or prolong his life. But this is not so. If wealthy people are not known for generosity and giving, they may indeed be remembered—but with an evil reputation. People will say, “So-and-so was even more miserly than so-and-so.” He will be mentioned in gatherings and condemned.

Allah therefore says: “No indeed! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.” Here, “No indeed!” is what scholars call a particle of rebuke: it rebukes this speaker—or this man entertaining such a notion—for what he says or thinks. It may also mean “truly”; that is, “Truly, he will surely be thrown into the Crusher.” Both meanings are sound. This man’s wealth will neither make him immortal nor perpetuate his memory. Rather, he will be forgotten and his memory effaced. He may even be remembered with condemnation because he failed to fulfill the obligation Allah imposed upon him to give.

“He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.” The lām here introduces the response to an implied oath. The full sense is: “By Allah, he will surely be thrown into the Crusher”—that is, violently cast into it. If we say that the lām introduces the response to an oath, this sentence is reinforced by the lām, the emphatic nūn, and the omitted oath. This occurs frequently in the Quran: a statement is emphasized by an oath, the lām, and the nūn. Allah Most High swears by something to emphasize it and magnify its importance.

Regarding His words, “He will surely be thrown,” what will be thrown: the possessor of the wealth or the wealth itself? Both will be thrown. As for the possessor of the wealth, Allah says in another verse:

“The Day they will be thrust toward the Fire of Hell with a violent thrust.” [al-Tūr: 13]

That is, they will be driven forcefully. Here He says, “He will be thrown,” meaning that he will be cast into the Crusher. The Crusher is that which crushes a thing—that is, shatters and breaks it. What, then, is it? Allah Most High says:

“And what can make you know what the Crusher is?”

This form conveys greatness and gravity.

“Allah’s kindled Fire.”

This is—