(62–74) “Is that better as hospitality, or the tree of Zaqqūm? We have made it a trial for the wrongdoers. It is a tree that grows in the midst of Hellfire. Its fruit resembles devils’ heads. They will surely eat from it and fill their bellies with it. Then, on top of it, they will have a mixture of scalding water. Thereafter, their return will surely be to Hellfire. They found their forefathers astray, so they hasten in their footsteps. Most of the earlier peoples before them had certainly gone astray, though We had sent warners among them. So consider what became of those who were warned—except Allah’s chosen servants.”

“Is that better as hospitality?” That is: Is the bliss We have described for the people of Paradise better, or the punishment in Hellfire in all its varieties? Which of the two foods is preferable: that described in Paradise, “or” the food of the people of Hellfire? Their food is “the tree of Zaqqūm. We have made it a trial”—that is, a torment and exemplary punishment—“for the wrongdoers,” who wronged themselves through disbelief and sin.

“It is a tree that grows in the midst of Hellfire,” meaning at its very center. That is where it springs forth, and its source is the worst and vilest of all sources. An evil planting ground indicates the evil and vileness of what grows there. Thus, Allah draws our attention to its evil by mentioning where it grows and describing its fruit.

Its fruit resembles “devils’ heads.” After this, do not ask about its taste or what it does inside their bodies and bellies. They will have no escape from it and no alternative (1).

Hence He says: “They will surely eat from it and fill their bellies with it.” This is the food of the people of Hellfire, and how wretched their food is! He then mentions their drink: “Then, on top of it”—that is, immediately after this food—“they will have a mixture of scalding water,” meaning water heated to the utmost degree. As Allah Most High says: “If they cry for relief, they will be given water like molten metal that will scald their faces. What a wretched drink and an evil resting place!” He also says: “They will be given scalding water to drink, which will tear their intestines apart.”

“Thereafter, their return”—that is, their destination, dwelling, [and refuge]—“will surely be to Hellfire,” where they will taste its severe punishment and tremendous heat, suffering unsurpassed misery.

It is as though the question were asked: What brought them to this abode? He answers: “They found”—that is, they discovered—“their forefathers astray, so they hasten in their footsteps.” In other words, they rush headlong into misguidance. They paid no heed to what the messengers called them to, what the revealed Books warned them against, or the words of sincere advisers. Instead, they opposed them by saying: “We found our forefathers following a way, and we are indeed following in their footsteps.”

“Most of the earlier peoples before them had certainly gone astray”—that is, before those presently being addressed—while only a few believed and followed guidance.

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“Though We had sent warners among them,” warning them against their error and misguidance.

“So consider what became of those who were warned.” Their end was destruction, humiliation, and disgrace. Let these people therefore beware of persisting in their misguidance, lest the same fate befall them.

Since those who had been warned were not (2) all astray—rather, some believed and devoted their religion sincerely to Allah—Allah excepted them from destruction, saying: “Except Allah’s chosen servants.” That is, those whom Allah chose and singled out for His mercy because of their sincerity; their ultimate end was praiseworthy.

Then He mentioned an example of the fate of the nations that denied the messengers, saying: