Surah 104. Al-Humazah

Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter ⁶²⁶⁶

Three vices are here condemned in the strongest terms: (1) scandal-mongering, talking or suggesting evil of men or women by word or innuendo, or behaviour, or mimicry, or sarcasm, or insult; (2) detracting from their character behind their backs, even if the things suggested are true, where the motive is evil; (3) piling up wealth, not for use and service to those who need it, but in miserly hoards, as if such hoards can prolong the miser's life or give him immortality: miserliness is itself a kind of scandal.

Who pileth up wealth and layeth it by

Thinking that his wealth would make him last for ever!

By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into that which breaks to pieces. ⁶²⁶⁷

Hutama: that which smashes or breaks to pieces: an apt description of the three anti-social vices condemned. For scandal-mongering and backbiting make any sort of cohesion or mutual confidence impossible; and the miser's hoards up the channels of economic service and charity, and the circulation of good-will among men.

And what will explain to thee That which Breaks to Pieces?

(It is) the Fire of (the Wrath of) Allah kindled (to a blaze)

The which doth mount (Right) to the Hearts: ⁶²⁶⁸

The Fire of Punishment mounts right up to the hearts and minds of such men, and shuts them out of the love of their fellows. "Heart" in Arabic means not only the seat of affection, pity, charity, etc., but also of understanding and intelligent appreciation of things.

It shall be made into a vault over them

In columns outstretched. ⁶²⁶⁹

Those guilty of these vices will be choked and suffocated, for this Vault of Fire will cover them all over, and its scorching columns will extend over a far wider area than they imagine.