Protect the honor of the Prophethood – Explanation of Surah Al-Humazah
Meaning of Humazah
Allah, the Most High, has stated: ‘Woe to every backbiter, slanderer.’ The meaning of ‘Humazah’ is a person who is accustomed to backbiting, meaning someone who speaks ill of others behind their backs, takes pleasure in it, and considers themselves superior in gatherings while disclosing the faults of others.
The meaning of the word:
And the meaning of the word “لمزۃ” refers to a person who speaks ill of others, criticizing them to their faces. It is indeed an act of goodwill to point out someone’s mistakes to help them correct themselves. However, speaking ill of someone and causing them distress is a grave sin. “لمزۃ” describes someone who accumulates wealth and keeps count of it, always boasting about how much they have gathered, saying, “Today, my wealth has grown to such an extent.”
يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ اخْلَدَهُ
He believes that his wealth will always keep him alive.
It means that my hope will deliver me from death, and I will always remain alive through this wealth.
The outcome of such a person
كَلَّا لَيُنْبَدَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَة
Allah Almighty says: Such a fate will not be for everyone, but for the person who engages in backbiting, speaks ill of others, accumulates wealth and keeps counting it, and does not fulfill the rights and obligations imposed by Allah Almighty. Such a person will undoubtedly be thrown into a fire that will break bones. Then it is said,
وَمَا أَدْرَكَ مَا الْحُطَمَة
Addressing the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), it was said, “Do you know how the fire that breaks bones is?
نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوْقَدَةُ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَة
It is the kindled fire of Allah Almighty that will reach the hearts of people. This is the translation of that passage.
The occasion of the revelation of the Surah
This Surah was revealed at the time when the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) began his mission of calling people to Islam in Mecca, and many people became his enemies. They went to great lengths in their enmity, part of which included speaking ill of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) behind his back and sometimes even to his face, hurling both insults and praises, and if they ever came face to face with him, they would criticize him.
Allah saved me
Once, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said to his noble companions that Allah Almighty has saved me from their curses and condemnation in such a way that when they curse, they say, ‘Cursed is the accursed one,’ but I am Muhammad, so they are cursing someone else, not me. I am not accursed. Both from the perspective of my parents and from the perspective of Allah, my name is Muhammad. Therefore, their curses do not affect me. Allah Almighty has saved me from their curses in this way. The point is that they tried every possible way to harm the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), including making accusations against him from behind and openly, which led to the revelation of Surah Humazah.
In any case, this series has been going on since ancient times. Even during the blessed era of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), there were individuals with such wickedness and low mentality who had no way to prove their claims with evidence. Whereas, regarding the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), his truthfulness, trustworthiness, and honesty, the whole world testifies, and those who harbored evil intentions against Islam had no way to reject the words of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) told them that Allah is One, and you have made these idols with your own hands, considering them your providers and deities. How can they provide for you? How can they give you children? The entity that created the earth, the heavens, the rivers, and raised the clouds is the Creator and Master. He alone is worthy of worship. They had no reasonable answer with evidence for these statements.
When the cat scratches the pole
When a person faces defeat in the field of evidence, but still remains stubborn, it’s like the famous saying in our culture: ‘When the cat scratches the pole.’ At that time, they resort to insults and condemnation, launching verbal attacks. They start making accusations without any basis. Allah Almighty bestowed strength and resilience to Islam during the time of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and in the subsequent eras. So, those who opposed Islam were defeated in every way, both intellectually and physically. However, at that time, they resorted to low tactics and slander, initiating a trend of saying anything against the Holy Prophet (ﷺ).
Even today, the situation of the so-called champions of modern civilization and culture, who have fiercely promoted their civilization and culture, is not much different from those with malicious intentions. They, too, have no evidence against Islam, as they have already been defeated in the field of evidence. The derogatory tactics of those with low intellects are, in fact, a testament to their own ignominy, their defeat, and their inability to present any evidence. This is why they express their anger, envy, and jealousy through such lowly tactics. May Allah protect us.
They began with insults against the honor of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), then resorted to caricatures, and now they are trying to counter the cartoons of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) on an international level by inviting all enemies of Islam.
Defeat in the Field of Evidence
All these actions are actually signs of defeat in the field of evidence. Those who have evidence never resort to insults or baseless accusations. They engage in discourse through evidence and use it to explain their perspective. They challenge the arguments of others with evidence. However, those who lack evidence descend to low tactics, such as spreading false information or creating cartoons, which is an admission on their part that they have no response to the evidence presented. Instead, they attempt to cool down the fire of their anger through these low tactics. In reality, this is an acknowledgment of their defeat.
Challenging the Zeal of Muslims
On the other hand, there is a challenge to the zeal of Muslims. Those who bear the name of Muhammad (ﷺ) and claim to love the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) must decide how they respond to these low tactics. This is a challenge, and I believe that the entire Muslim community should accept this challenge with unwavering faith, demonstrating their readiness to sacrifice even their lives for the honor of our Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ).
What is the degree of Allah’s love?
The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had instructed that
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ»
Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you believes till I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all mankind.”(Mishkat al-Masabih 7)
Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam (رضي الله عنه) once expressed, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise be to Allah! You are more beloved to me than my parents, more beloved to me than my own children, and you are the most beloved to people in the world, 13/20 of them. But I fear that I may not love you more than my own life.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) placed his hand on the chest of Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam (رضي الله عنه) and said, ‘Until you love me more than your own life, you cannot be a true believer.’ Immediately after this, a revolutionary change occurred within Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam (رضي الله عنه), and he exclaimed, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Now I am certain that I love you more than my own life.’
A Reflection of the Love for the Prophet (ﷺ)
The noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, presented exemplary instances of their love and devotion to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) through their words and actions. No nation or community in the world has ever displayed such an example of love for their leaders, their Prophet, and their guide. Hazrat Abu Mahzoorah (رضي الله عنه) was one such companion. In his childhood, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) had placed his blessed hand on his head, and as a result, Allah bestowed him with the gift of faith. So, the place where the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) had placed his blessed hand became a special mark, and they never shaved their hair from that spot because it was the hair that the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) had touched. Such was the state of love and devotion of the noble companions.
Today, it is a test for Muslims
Today, there is a small test for you. In the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, you celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (ﷺ), and you also claim to have love for him. Today, this is a small test for you: What is your attitude towards those who disrespect the honor of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ)? Will you still maintain a relationship with them? Will you still strive to bring them economic benefits?
The Eminence of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ)
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is beyond our praise and sanctification; He is independent of our admiration and reverence. Allah, the Exalted, Himself declared, “And We have raised high your fame.” Behold, there is no moment in the twenty-four hours of the day when the call to prayer, bearing witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, is not being proclaimed somewhere in the world. At all times and every moment, testimony to the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is being loudly announced. Allah, the Exalted, has indeed elevated His mention to such a degree that despite the many denunciations by people, the entire universe exalts the greatness and sanctity of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and sends blessings upon him.
إنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ
Allah, the Almighty, bestows His mercy upon them; the angels send blessings upon them. They do not require our or your blessings. They do not require our or your praise. They do not need any praise from those with ill intentions. Their essence is exalted, transcendent, and supreme. They surpass all forms of praise. From the time of their birth, Allah, the Almighty, has named them “Muhammad.” Their essence is elevated, transcendent, and supreme. They surpass all forms of praise.
In Surah Humazah, Allah Subhanahoo Wata’ala, speaks about such individuals:
وَيْلٌ لِكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ
For them, there is destruction. Today, these people may rejoice that they have fulfilled their plan and take pride in it. However, their end is destruction. The destruction lies in the fact that.
ليُنبَزَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَة
They will be cast into the fire that will break bones into pieces.
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحُطَمَةُ نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوْقَدَةِ
This is the fire kindled by Allah, the Almighty, into which they will be thrown, and this fire will reach into their hearts. This is an announcement from Allah, not from me, nor from any human being. It will certainly happen, and those unfortunate souls who have carried out this action will ultimately face its consequences. Whether they raised banners of success, drove luxurious cars, or celebrated in this world, it will remain with them in the Hereafter. However, within this world, we also have a duty. May Allah, the Almighty, grant us the ability to fulfill this duty through His grace and mercy.
