would his condition be? He would be in tremendous anguish—anguish beyond compare. They—Allah’s refuge is sought—are in precisely this state in the Fire: it will be closed down upon them, “in extended columns.” That is, this Fire will be sealed shut, with columns stretching across every side and corner, so that no one can open it or escape from it.

Allah, Glorified and Exalted, has related this to us and made it clear in this surah not merely so that we might recite it with our tongues or understand its meaning with our minds. Rather, the purpose is for us to guard against these blameworthy traits: disparaging people by word, disparaging them by deed, and craving wealth so intensely that it is as though man had been created solely for wealth—to remain with it forever, or to have the wealth remain with him forever. We must also know that whoever is in such a state will be recompensed with this Fire, which is as Allah described it: the Crusher, which rises over the hearts, closed down upon them in extended columns.

We ask Allah Most High to protect us from it, grant us sincerity in word and deed, and keep us steadfast upon His religion.