وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَـٰشِعَةٌ 2
Translations
[Some] faces, that Day, will be humbled,
Transliteration
Wujuhun yawma-idhin khashi'ah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the faces of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment as being in a state of humiliation and abasement (khashi'ah). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the word 'khashi'ah' conveys both physical degradation and spiritual humiliation—the faces will be darkened, distorted, and marked by shame as a manifestation of their rejection of Allah's signs in this world. This visual description emphasizes the ultimate consequence of turning away from divine guidance.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ghashiyah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and addresses the reality of the Day of Judgment. This ayah is part of a depiction of the contrasting states of the blessed and the condemned on that day, serving to warn the polytheists of Mecca about the inevitable consequences of disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the faces of the believers will be bright and radiant, while the faces of the disbelievers will be dark and gloomy' (paraphrased from various hadith collections including themes in Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah regarding the signs on the Day of Judgment).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that one's choices and beliefs in this world have eternal consequences reflected in the next life. It encourages believers to reflect on their relationship with Allah and the importance of sincere faith, as the state of one's face and soul on the Day of Judgment reflects the condition of one's heart in this world.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوٓا۟ إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ ٱلنَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَدْ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِلِقَآءِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُهْتَدِينَ
And on the Day when He will gather them, [it will be] as if they had not remained [in the world] but an hour of the day, [and] they will know each other. Those will have lost who denied the meeting with Allāh and were not guided.
يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allāh and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.
يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا
The Day they are thrust toward the fire of Hell with a [violent] thrust, [its angels will say],
فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذَنۢبِهِۦٓ إِنسٌ وَلَا جَآنٌّ
Then on that Day none will be asked about his sin among men or jinn.