(88) sūrat l-ghāshiyah (The Overwhelming)
1 ْه
َل hal Has
2 َْأَتَاك atāka it come to you
3 ِيث
ْ َحد ḥadīthu The news
4 الغَا ِشيَ ِْة al-ghāshiyati Of the overwhelming?
5 وه
ْ وج wujūhun Faces
6 ْيَو َمئِ ْذ yawma-idhin That day
7 خَا ِشعَ ْة khāshiʿatun Will be humbled
8 ْْاملَة ِ عَ ʿāmilatun Labouring
9 َاصبَ ْةِ ن nāṣibatun exhausted
10 ْ َتَصل
ى taṣlā They will burn
11 َارْا
ً ن nāran In a fire
12 ًاميَ ْة
ِ َح ḥāmiyatan Intensely hot
13 ْ َتسق
ى tus'qā They will be given to drink
14 ن
ْ عي َ ِْمن min ʿaynin From a spring
15 آنِيَ ْة āniyatin boiling
16 َْ لَي
س laysa Not
17 لَه ْم lahum For them
18 ْْط َعام َ ṭaʿāmun (is) Food
19 ْ َ ِإ
ّل illā except
20 يع
ْ ض ِرَ ِْمن min ḍarīʿin From a bitter thorny plant
21 ْ َّلْيس ِم
ن lā yus'minu Not it nourishes
22 ْ َِو َّلْيغن
ي walā yugh'nī And not it avails
23 وع
ْ ِمنْج min jūʿin From hunger
24 ْْوجوه wujūhun faces
25 يَو َمئِ ْذ yawma-idhin On that day
26 نَا ِع َم ْة nāʿimatun Will be joyful
27 سع ِي َهْا َ ِل lisaʿyihā With their effort
28 اضيَ ْة ِ َر rāḍiyatun satisfied
29 فِيْ َجنَ ْة fī jannatin In a garden
30 عا ِليَ ْة
َ ʿāliyatin elevated
31 َّلْتَس َم ْع lā tasmaʿu They will not hear
32 ِفي َهْا fīhā Therin
33 ًَّل ِغ َي ْة lāghiyatan Vain talk
34 ْفِي َها fīhā Therin
35 ن
ْ عي َ ʿaynun Will be a spring
36 اريَ ْة ِ َج jāriyatun flowing
37 ْفِي َها fīhā therin
38 ْسرر sururun Will be thrones
39 ع ْة َ َمرفو marfūʿatun Raised high
40 ْ َوأَك َو
اب wa-akwābun And cups
41 ع ْةَ َموضو mawḍūʿatun Put in place
42 ق
ْ ار ِ َونَ َم wanamāriqu And cushions
43 َمصفوفَ ْة maṣfūfatun Lined up
44 ي
ْ َِوزَ َراب wazarābiyyu And carpets
45 َمبثوثَ ْة mabthūthatun Spread out
46 ْ َ َأَف
ل afalā Do then not
47 ََْْينظرون yanẓurūna They look
48 إِلَى ilā Towards
49 اْلبِ ِْل ِ l-ibili the camels
50 ف َْ كَي kayfa How
51 ْ َخ ِلق
ت khuliqat They are created?
52 َْو ِإلَى wa-ilā And towards
53 ِْ س َم
اء َ ال l-samāi the sky
54 ف َْ كَي kayfa How
55 تْ رفِ َع rufiʿat it is raised?
56 ْ ََو ِإل
ى wa-ilā And towards
57 ْلِْ ال ِجبَا l-jibāli the mountains
58 ف
َْ كَي kayfa How
59 ت
ْ َصب ِ ن nuṣibat They are fixed?
60 َْو ِإلَى wa-ilā And towards
61 ْ ِ اْلَر
ض l-arḍi the earth
62 ْف
َْ كَي kayfa How
63 ت
ْ س ِط َح suṭiḥat It is spread out
64 ْفَذَ ِكر fadhakkir So remind
65 ِْإنَ َما innamā Only/just
66 َْأَنت anta You
67 ْمذَ ِكر mudhakkirun Are a reminder
68 َْْلَست lasta You are not
69 ْْعلَي ِهم َ ʿalayhim Over them
70 صي ِط ْر َ ِبم bimuṣayṭirin A controller
71 ْ َ ِإ
ّل illā But
72 َْْمن man whoever
73 ْْت ََولَى tawallā Turns away
74 َو َكف ََْر wakafara And disbelieves
75 َْ فَيعَذِبه
ّْللا fayuʿadhibuhu l-lahu Then Allah will punish him
76 ابْاْلَكبَ َْر َ َالعَذ l-ʿadhāba l-akbara With the greatest punishment
77 َْ ِإ
ن inna Indeed
78 ْإِلَينَا ilaynā To us
79 ِإيَابَه ْم iyābahum Will be their return
80 ْث َْم thumma Then
81 ْن َْ ِإ inna Indeed
82 علَينَْا َ ʿalaynā Upon us
83 سابَه ْم َ ِح ḥisābahum is their account
Verse 1
ُ َه ْل أَتَ ٰىكَ َحد
ِ ِيث ٱ ْلغَ ٰـ
شيَ ِة
Roman Transliteration:
Hal ataka hadeethu al-ghashiyah
Translation:
"Has there reached you the report of the Overwhelming [event]?"
Question:
• What is being referred to as "the Overwhelming [event]" in this verse?
Answer:
• The "Overwhelming [event]" refers to the Day of Judgment.
Verse 2
ِ وه ي َْو َمئِ ٍذ َخ ٰـ
شعَة ٌۭ ُو ُج
Roman Transliteration:
Wujoohun yawma’idhin khaashi’ah
Translation:
"Some faces, that Day, will be humbled."
Question:
• What will be the condition of some faces on the Day of Judgment?
Answer:
• Some faces will be humbled.
Verse 3
ِ َّعَامِ لَ ٌۭة ن
اصبَة
Roman Transliteration:
Aamilatun naasibah
Translation:
"Working [hard] and exhausted."
Question:
• What will the state of the people with humbled faces be?
Answer:
• They will be working hard and exhausted.
Verse 4
ًارا حَامِ يَة
ً َصلَ ٰى ن
ْ َت
Roman Transliteration:
Taslaa naaran haamiyah
Translation:
"They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire."
Question:
• What will happen to those with humbled faces?
Answer:
• They will enter to burn in an intensely hot Fire.
Verse 5
َ سقَ ٰى مِ ْن
عي ٍْن َءانِيَ ٍة ْ ُت
Roman Transliteration:
Tusqaa min ‘ainin aaniyah
Translation:
"They will be given drink from a boiling spring."
Question:
• What will they drink from in the Hereafter?
Answer:
• They will drink from a boiling spring.
Verse 6
َ ْس لَ ُه ْم
ٍطعَام إِ ََّّل مِ ن ض َِريع َ لَّي
Roman Transliteration:
Laisa lahum ta’aamun illa min daree’
Translation:
"For them there will be no food except from a bitter, thorny plant."
Question:
• What food will they have in the Hereafter?
Answer:
• They will have no food except a bitter, thorny plant.
Verse 7
ٍ ََّّل يُسْمِ نُ َو ََّل يُ ْغنِى مِ ن ُج
وع
Roman Transliteration:
Laa yusminu wa laa yughnee min joo’
Translation:
"Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger."
Question:
• What is the characteristic of the food they will eat?
Answer:
• The food will neither nourish nor relieve hunger.
Verse 8
وه ي َْو َمئِ ٍذ نَّا ِع َمة
ٌۭ ُو ُج
Roman Transliteration:
Wujoohun yawma’idhin naa’imah
Translation:
"Other faces, that Day, will show pleasure."
Question:
• What will be the condition of other faces on the Day of Judgment?
Answer:
• Other faces will show pleasure.
Verse 9
اضيَة
ِ س ْعيِهَا َر
َ ِل
Roman Transliteration:
Lisaa’yihaa raadiyah
Translation:
"With their effort [they are] satisfied."
Question:
• Why will the people with pleased faces be satisfied?
Answer:
• They will be satisfied with their effort.
Verse 10
فِى َجنَّ ٍة عَا ِليَ ٍة
Roman Transliteration:
Fee jannatin ‘aaliyah
Translation:
"In an elevated garden."
Question:
• Where will the pleased people be?
Answer:
• They will be in an elevated garden.
Verse 11
ًس َم ُع فِيهَا لَ ٰـ ِغيَة
ْ َََّّل ت
Roman Transliteration:
Laa tasma’u feehaa laaghiyah
Translation:
"Wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech."
Question:
• What will they not hear in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• They will not hear any unsuitable speech.
Verse 12
َاري ٌَۭة
ِ عي ٌْۭن ج
َ فِيهَا
Roman Transliteration:
Feehaa ‘aynun jaariyah
Translation:
"Within it is a flowing spring."
Question:
• What is present in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• A flowing spring.
Verse 13
س ُر ٌۭر َّم ْرفُوع ٌَۭة
ُ فِيهَا
Roman Transliteration:
Feehaa sururum marfoo’ah
Translation:
"Within it are couches raised high."
Question:
• What furniture is described in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• Couches raised high.
Verse 14
ٌۭ َوأَك َْو
اب َّم ْوضُوع ٌَۭة
Roman Transliteration:
Wa akwaabum mawdoo’ah
Translation:
"And cups put in place."
Question:
• What utensils are mentioned in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• Cups put in place.
Verse 15
صفُو َف ٌۭة ُ َونَ َم ِار
ْ ق َم
Roman Transliteration:
Wa namaariqu masfoofah
Translation:
"And cushions lined up."
Question:
• What kind of seating is described in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• Cushions lined up.
Verse 16
ى َم ْبثُوثَ ٌۭة
ُّ َِو َز َراب
Roman Transliteration:
Wa zaraabiyyu mabthoothah
Translation:
"And carpets spread around."
Question:
• What is spread out in the elevated garden?
Answer:
• Carpets are spread around.
Verse 17
ْْف ُخ ِلقَت ُ أَ َف ََل يَن
ِ ْ ظ ُرونَ ِإلَى
َ ٱْل ِب ِل َكي
Roman Transliteration:
Afa laa yanzuroona ilal-ibili kaifa khuliqat
Translation:
"Then do they not look at the camels – how they are created?"
Question:
• What creation does Allah ask people to reflect upon in this verse?
Answer:
• Allah asks people to reflect on the creation of camels and how they are made.
Verse 18
ْْف ُر ِفعَت َّ َوإِلَى ٱل
َ س َما ٓءِ َكي
Roman Transliteration:
Wa ilas-samaa’i kaifa rufi’at
Translation:
"And at the sky – how it is raised?"
Question:
• What does Allah ask people to ponder about the sky?
Answer:
• Allah asks people to ponder how the sky is raised.
Verse 19
َ َوإِلَى ٱ ْل ِجبَا ِل َكي
ْْف نُ ِصبَت
Roman Transliteration:
Wa ilal-jibaali kaifa nusibat
Translation:
"And at the mountains – how they are erected?"
Question:
• What does Allah highlight about the mountains?
Answer:
• Allah highlights how the mountains are erected.
Verse 20
ْْف سُطِ َحت ِ َو ِإلَى ْٱْل َ ْر
َ ض َكي
Roman Transliteration:
Wa ilal-ardi kaifa sutihat
Translation:
"And at the earth – how it is spread out?"
Question:
• What does Allah ask people to consider about the earth?
Answer:
• Allah asks people to consider how the earth is spread out.
Verse 21
َفذَك ِْر إِنَّ َما ٓ أَنتَ ُمذَك ٌِۭر
Roman Transliteration:
Fadhakkir innamaa anta mudhakkir
Translation:
"So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder."
Question:
• What is the role of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to this verse?
Answer:
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a reminder to people.
Verse 22
َ علَ ْي ِهم بِ ُم
صيْطِ ٍر َ َلَّسْت
Roman Transliteration:
Lasta ‘alaihim bimusaitir
Translation:
"You are not over them a controller."
Question:
• What responsibility is not assigned to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Answer:
• He is not responsible for controlling the actions of people.
Verse 23
ِإ ََّّل َمن ت َ َولَّ ٰى َو َك َف َر
Roman Transliteration:
Illaa man tawallaa wa kafar
Translation:
"However, he who turns away and disbelieves –"
Question:
• Who is mentioned in this verse as turning away?
Answer:
• Those who turn away and disbelieve are mentioned.
Verse 24
اب ْٱْل َ ْكب ََر ُ َّ َُفيُعَ ِذبُه
َ َٱَّلل ٱ ْلعَذ
Roman Transliteration:
Fayu’azzibuhul laahul ‘azaabal akbar
Translation:
"Then Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment."
Question:
• What is the consequence for those who disbelieve and turn away?
Answer:
• Allah will punish them with the greatest punishment.
Verse 25
إِنَّ إِلَ ْينَا ٓ إِيَابَ ُه ْم
Roman Transliteration:
Inna ilaynaa iyaabahum
Translation:
"Indeed, to Us is their return."
Question:
• To whom will people return?
Answer:
• People will return to Allah.
Verse 26
َ َّث ُ َّم ِإن
َ ِعلَ ْينَا ح
سابَ ُهم
Roman Transliteration:
Thumma inna ‘alainaa hisaabahum
Translation:
"Then indeed, upon Us is their account."
Question:
• Who will take account of people's deeds?
Answer:
• Allah will take account of people's deeds.
Summary of Surah Al-Ghashiya
Surah Al-Ghashiya, meaning "The Overwhelming Event," is a Makki Surah with 26 verses. It highlights the
realities of the Hereafter and serves as a reminder of Allah’s signs in His creation. The Surah can be
summarized as follows:
1. The Overwhelming Event (Verses 1-7):
The Surah begins by asking about the Day of Judgment, described as an overwhelming event. On that
Day, there will be two groups of people:
o Those whose faces will be humbled and distressed due to their suffering in Hellfire, where they
will endure punishment, drink from boiling springs, and eat from a thorny, unsatisfying plant.
o This depicts the fate of those who denied Allah and ignored His guidance.
2. The Reward of the Righteous (Verses 8-16):
Another group of people will have radiant, contented faces, enjoying the rewards of their efforts. They
will reside in an elevated paradise with flowing springs, luxurious seating, and carpets spread for their
comfort. This portrays the bliss of those who believed and acted righteously.
3. Reflection on Creation (Verses 17-20):
Allah invites people to reflect on His creation as evidence of His power and wisdom:
o The camels and how they are created.
o The sky and how it is raised.
o The mountains and how they are firmly established.
o The earth and how it is spread out.
These signs encourage contemplation and recognition of Allah’s greatness.
4. The Prophet’s Role (Verses 21-26):
The Surah emphasizes the role of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a reminder, not a controller. His duty
is to convey Allah's message, while accountability lies with individuals. Those who reject the message
will face the greatest punishment, but ultimately, all will return to Allah, who will take account of their
deeds.
Key Lessons from the Surah:
• The Day of Judgment is inevitable, and its events will be overwhelming.
• The fate of individuals in the Hereafter depends on their deeds in this world.
• Reflecting on the natural world leads to recognition of Allah's power and authority.
• The Prophet (PBUH) is a guide, but ultimate accountability rests with each person.
This Surah serves as a powerful reminder of accountability in the Hereafter and the importance of reflecting on
Allah’s signs in the universe.
