WOE unto every slanderer, fault-finder!1
Asad Translation Note Number :
[Woe unto him2] who amasses wealth and counts it a safeguard,
Asad Translation Note Number :
thinking that his wealth will make him live forever!3
Asad Translation Note Number :
Nay, but [in the life to come such as] he shall indeed be abandoned to crushing torment!4
Asad Translation Note Number :
And what could make thee conceive what that crushing torment will be?
Asad Translation Note Number :
A fire kindled by God,
Asad Translation Note Number :
which will rise over the [guilty] hearts:5
Asad Translation Note Number :
verily, it will close in upon them
Asad Translation Note Number :
in endless columns!6
Asad Translation Note Number :
I.e., everyone who maliciously tries to uncover real or imaginary faults in others.
This repetitive interpolation is necessary because the blameworthy attitude spoken of in verses {2-3} obviously belongs to a category entirely different from the two mentioned in verse {1}.
This is a metonym for the tendency to attribute an almost "religious" value to the acquisition and possession of material goods and facilities - a tendency which precludes man from giving any real importance to spiritual considerations (cf. note [1] on 102:1 ). My rendering of 'addadahu in the preceding verse as "[he] counts it a safeguard" is based on Jawhari's explanation of this term.
Al-hutamah - one of several metaphors for the otherworldly suffering comprised within the concept of "hell" (see note [33] on {15:43-44}.
I.e., originating in their hearts - thus clearly alluding to the spiritual nature of the "fire" in the sinners' belated realization of their guilt.
Lit., "in extended columns", i.e., overwhelming with despair.
