Surah Al-Gashiyah(88)

IntroductionThe name of the surah means ‘The Overwhelming Event’ This was one of the earliest surahs to be revealed. This was after the Prophet (sws) started preaching publicly The people of Makkah were hearing the words of the Prophet but didn’t care about it

Introduction (cont.)Since this was just the beginning, the Prophet wanted to only talk about two main points:

1. Tauhid (belief in one God) 2. Hereafter

During this time, the people of Makkah did not have belief in either of the two.

Introduction (cont.)The Overwhelming Event refers to the Day of Judgment (DOJ)The prophet asks the people if they are even aware of the DOJ/ know about it? The first part of the surah describes how people will be sorted in to two different categories: the good people and the badAllah describes the state that both of these groups will be in

Introduction (cont.)In the second part of the surah, Allah asks the people to look around them and asks if they ever considered how the world is running as smoothly as it is? Who created and maintains all creations? Everything around us is a sign of Allah’s existence. If Allah can create this world, then it is no problem for Him to create the world in the Hereafter.

Introduction (cont.)The surah ends with these important statements:

The Prophet and our jobs is to just spread the message of Islam. It is not our responsibility of what people choose to do after being given the message or advice. We are not allowed to, as the Prophet (sws) was not allowed to force anyone to practice Islam; it is their choice to make. Everyone will return to where they started, from Allah. Allah will deal with justice in the Hereafter.

Questions (Introduction)1. What does the name of the surah mean? 2. During what time period was this surah revealed? 3. What two major points did the Prophet only focus on during this time?4. What does Tauhid mean? 5. What does the first part of the surah describe?6. What is the second part of the surah about? 7. What important points does the Surah end on?

Ayah One: Has the news of the overwhelming event reached you?

This is a question the Prophet (sws) had asked the people of Makkah at the time and also a question that Allah asks us:

Do you really know about the overwhelming event/ the DOJ? Were you warned about this event?

In the next few ayahs , Allah describes the overwhelming event. There will be two groups of people.

Ayah Two: Some faces that Day shall be downcast with fear, Ayah Three: be toiling and worn-out; Ayah

Four: they shall burn in a Scorching Fire; In these few ayahs, Allah is describing the first group of people: the people who have done bad in this world. On the DOJ, their faces will display fear. They will be very afraid of the punishment they will get. They will know even before Allah has to say something. For example, if you did badly on an exam, you know even before the teacher hands you back your paper. You do not want to receive your paper.These people will be sent to the Hellfire.

Ayah Five: their drink shall be from a boiling spring. Ayah Six: They shall have no food except bitter dry thorns Ayah Seven: that will neither nourish nor satisfy their

hunger. These verses continue to talk about the first group of people. They will have nothing else to drink but boiling water. The only food they will get are dry and bitter thorns. No matter how much they drink this boiling water or eat these thorns, they will still be hungry and thirsty. This is what is unique about the food and drink of Hell.

Ayah Eight: On that very Day, some faces shall be radiant with joy, Ayah Nine: well-

pleased with their striving. Now, Allah goes on to talk about the second group of people: those who were good in this life and will inshaAllah get Heaven. The faces of these believing people will be bright with happiness. Think about when you are about to receive a gift that you’ve waited a very long time for. What does your face look like? These people will be super happy because they had sacrificed a lot in this life in order to get the honor that they will in the Hereafter. Think of when you study very hard, sacrificing time to play or hang out and then when you get what you were aiming for.

Ayah Ten: They will be in a lofty Garden Ayah Eleven: wherein they shall hear no

vain talk. The believers will be rewarded for their deeds. Allah will grant them the biggest honor by allowing them to enter Jannah, what is referred to as the lofty garden. In Jannah, no one will say mean things, backbite, curse, or harm anyone. It will be a peaceful place where everyone will be happy.

Ayah Twelve: In it, there shall be a flowing spring, Ayah Thirteen: and couches raised high, Ayah Fourteen: and goblets laid out,

Ayah Fifteen: and cushions arrayed in rows, Ayah Sixteen: and rich carpets leveled out. These ayahs describe Jannah in more detail. In Jannah there will be flowing water, comfy couches for believers to sit in. They will drink from goblets that will be handed to them and there will be cushions to sit on as well. There will be beautiful carpets laid out.

Questions (Part I: Ayahs 1-16) 1. Who are the first group of people? 2. Describe their faces on the DOJ? 3. What will be their drink?4. What will be their food? 5. What is unique about the food and drink of those who are in the first group? 6. Whose faces will be radiant on that Day?7. What will it be like in Jannah?

There are four specific signs Allah asks the people of Makkah and us by extension to observe:

1. Camels2. Sky 3. Mountains4. Earth

Ayah Seventeen: Do (these unbelievers) not observe the camels :how they were created? The people of Makkah would use camels all the time for their travel. These camels allowed them to participate in so much business and make it easy for them to carry goods and earn wealth. However, without the camels, this would not be possible. Allah asks them to think who is the one who craeted these camels in the first place? We should be grateful for every blessing that we’ve received from Allah.

Ayah Eighteen: And the sky: how it was raised high?

The next sign is the sky. There are so many things in this world that we take for granted. Think about how the sky operates/ works. We receive rain and snow and wind and air. During the day, it is lit up by the sun which allows us to work and go to school and carry on regular activities. During the night, it is dark so we can easily rest.

Ayah Nineteen: And the mountains : how they were fixed?

The third sign are the mountains. Mountains keep the earth stable and together. If the mountains weren’t there, then the world would be in chaos. Although we don’t realize it, mountains are a blessing of Allah and it is no coincidence that they were created. Allah had created the world with infinite wisdom. All of these things could not have happened by mere chance.

Ayah Twenty: And the earth: how it was spread out?

Everything on Earth was created to fulfill our needs. Everything is so perfect. Think about the position the Earth is at. Its at a perfect distance from the sun, it rotates at a perfect pace and degree, the air, the sun, the moon, the food, and all that the earth contains is so perfect for our existence that it could not have all been an accident or just a random thing of nature. Such a perfect world can only be the product of a perfect creator.

Ayah Twenty-One: So render good counsel, for you are simply required to counsel,

After seeing all of these signs and truly contemplating over it, one cannot deny the existence of Allah. So our job is to give good advice and spread the message of Islam: this is to Muslims and non-Muslims. Its our duty to always let other people know about Islam, also in specific things that you have knowledge about.

Ayah Twenty-Two: and are not invested with the authority tc compel them.

Although it is our job to spread the message and give advice when we have knowledge, it is not up to us to make the final decision. We should not and cannot force anyone to take our advice. It is ultimately up to the person to decide what they want to do. It is not up for us to judge others, just spread the word, and implement into your own life what you know.

Ayah Twenty-Three: But whoever will turn away (from the Truth), Ayah Twenty-Four: Allah will

chastise him with the most terrible chastisement.Allah will be the one to be the judge. For whoever chooses not to take the advice or accept the good counsel, Allah will punish them for it in the next life.

Ayah Twenty-Five: Surely to Us is their return; Ayah Twenty-Six: and then it is for Us to call

them to account.Ultimately, we are all going to have to return to Allah. When we do, we will be held accountable for everything that we did in this life.May Allah(swt) forgive us for all of our sins, help us become better Muslims, and enter us into Jannah.

Questions (Part II: Ayahs 17-26) 1. What are the four specific signs that Allah asks us to look at? Describe each.2. What is our responsibility towards others?3. What are we NOT allowed to do when spreading the message of Islam? 4. What will be the consequence for those who do not pay any attention to the advice?

DisclaimerThese slides are an abridged,

simplified version of tafseer. For detailed explanations, please view

other sources.