طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ 44
Translations
Is food for the sinful.
Transliteration
Ta'amu al-atheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the food of the sinners in Hell, specifically the fruit of the tree of Zaqqum, which is described earlier in the surah (44:43-46) as a bitter, repulsive sustenance. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents the punishment and humiliation of those who rejected Allah's signs, as even their sustenance in the afterlife reflects their spiritual corruption. The mention of such a vile food emphasizes the severity of divine punishment for those who persist in sin and disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader eschatological discourse of Surah Ad-Dukhan, a Meccan surah that emphasizes the Day of Judgment and the fate of believers versus disbelievers. The context describes the punishment of the people of Pharaoh and extends to all who reject the message, making this part of Quranic passages designed to warn the Meccans of the consequences of denying the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the resurrection.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this specific ayah, it relates thematically to Hadith Qudsi and various hadith collections describing the punishment of Hell. See Sunan At-Tirmidhi where the Prophet describes the severity of hellish punishment. Also relevant: Sahih Muslim 2626, describing the discomfort and humiliation of the inhabitants of Hell.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate consequences of rejecting divine guidance and persisting in sin, encouraging believers to reflect on their actions and seek repentance. It emphasizes that Allah's justice is perfect—even the sustenance provided in punishment reflects the spiritual condition of those who denied the truth.
Related Ayahs
۞ فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا
But there came after them successors [i.e., later generations] who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
وَثَمُودَا۟ فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰ
And Thamūd - and He did not spare [them] -
فَلَمَّا نَسُوا۟ مَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَٰبَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتُوٓا۟ أَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ
So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair.
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُودٍ
And they were [therefore] followed in this world with a curse and [as well] on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, ʿAad denied their Lord; then away with ʿAad, the people of Hūd.