Surah ad-Dukhan (Smoke) 44 : 48

Overview (Verses 43 - 59)

Two Different Fates

The final scene in the surah depicts the two different ends of the believers and the unbelievers. Again, the scene and its images are violent, in keeping with the surah's general ambiance: The fruit of the Zaqqum tree will be the food of the sinful like molten lead will it boil in the belly, like the boiling of scalding water. `Take him, and drag him into the midst of the blazing fire; then pour over his head the suffering of scalding water! Taste this, you powerful and honourable man! This is the very thing you surely doubted.'

The God-fearing will certainly be in a safe position, amid gardens and fountains, wearing garments of silk and brocade, facing one another. Thus shall it be. And We shall pair them with pure companions with most beautiful eyes. There they can call for every kind of fruit, enjoying peace and security. They shall not taste death there, having had their one death. He will have preserved them from suffering through the blazing fire, an act of your Lord's favour. That is the supreme triumph. (Verses 43-57)

The scene begins with an image of the Zaqqum tree, which is stated to provide the food of sinners. It is a powerful image that strikes fear and panic in the audience's hearts. The closest thing we know to this food is the lees, the sediment that remains when oil has been long boiled. This lees continues to boil in their bellies like molten lead. The sinful person who behaved towards his Lord and His trusted messenger with arrogance will be standing there. An order is issued to the guards of hell to take him away in a brutal manner that suits his `honourable' position: "Take him, and drag him into the midst of the blazing fire; then pour over his head the suffering of scalding water." (Verses 47-48) Drag him away so as to make him feel his humiliation, for there is no honour for such sinners! When he gets there, pour scalding water over his head so as to burn his skin. Then, added to all this punishment is a strong rebuke: "Taste this, you power* and honourable man!' (Verse 49) This is indeed the fate best suited to the one who boasted of his power and honour. Now he has none of this, because his boasting was an affront to God and His messengers. "This is the very thing you surely doubted." (Verse 50) When you were warned against this fate, you received the warning with mockery, doubting that it would ever happen.

Our eyes stretch to the other side to see the God-fearing who took the warning seriously and feared what may happen on this day of decision. We see them in a safe position' , where there is nothing to fear and no harsh treatment. They revel in their splendour 'amid gardens and fountains'. Their garments are made of silk and brocade. They take their positions facing one another talking about whatever is of concern to them. In addition, they are given pure companions with beautiful eyes to make their bliss perfect. There, in heaven, they are the 'owners' of the place. They can ask for whatever they want and it will be given: "There they can call for every kind of fruit, enjoying peace and security." (Verse 55) They expect no end to this happiness, as death does not occur here. They have already died once and they will not be made to taste death again. This contrasts with what the unbelievers used to say in this present world: "We shall die but one death, and we shall not be raised to life again." (Verse 35) In the unbelievers' case, the one death is followed by suffering in hell. The believers, who are in heaven, "shall not taste death there, having had their one death. He will have preserved them from suffering through the blazing fire." (Verse 56) This is yet another aspect of God's favour which He bestows on believers. No one is saved from suffering on the Day of Judgement unless the Lord grants this favour. It is all through "an act of your Lord's favour. That is the supreme triumph." (Verse 57)

The surah concludes with a reminder of the great blessing God has bestowed on us by sending His message to warn us against the consequences of disbelief: "We have made this Qur'an easy to understand, in your own language, so that they may take heed. Wait, then; they too are waiting." (Verses 58-59)

It is a fitting conclusion that sums up the message of the surah, reflects its ambiance, and fits with its beginning and line of discussion. It started with a reference to the book God revealed as a reminder for people so that they may take heed. It warned against what may happen on the Day of Judgement, with God saying: "On that Day We shall deliver a mighty onslaught; We will indeed exact retribution." (Verse 16) The two short verses at the end remind them of the favour God granted them by giving them the Qur'an in the Arabic tongue, which they understand. They are finally given an implicit but nonetheless fearful warning: "Wait, then; they too are waiting." (Verse 59)