that Day will be covered with dust (40).” [‘Abasa 40]

This has been explained as dust, and also as darkness. It has also been said to arise from gloom and distress, like the dust-like appearance seen on the face of someone distressed, dead, or ill.

Qatarah has been explained as darkness. Al-Zajjāj said: “A smoke-like darkness will cover them.” Others said that qatarah means dust, while ghubrah, mentioned first, means gloom. This was Abū ‘Ubaydah’s view. He said that qatarah means dust, as in the words of Allah Most High:

“Darkness will cover them (41).” [‘Abasa 41]

The same word is used for the dust raised by an army. According to al-Zajjāj and others, the word is derived from “dust” and denotes smoke. Qatār is the smell of roasting meat; the expression qatara al-lahm means that the meat’s smell has risen. Qatār also means the smoke of aloeswood. The dust raised by an army resembles this.

This is the more correct view, for qatarah conveys something more intense than ghubrah. Allah Most High says:

“Neither darkness nor humiliation will cover their faces.” [Yūnus 26]

Al-Zajjāj said: “Qatarah is dust accompanied by darkness.” Abū ‘Ubaydah said: “It is dust.”