Zaqqum tree and boiling lead, etc. in Hell for rejecters
17. Surah Al Isra
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا
لَكَ إِنَّ
رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ
بِالنَّاسِ...
17: 60. Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about:
C2248. The reference may be to 72:28, probably an earlier Makkan revelation. But the argument is independent of time.
This verse falls naturally into three divisions. Warnings and Portents and Signs are sent or not sent according to Allah's All-Wise Plan of Mercy and Justice, this is in no wise inconsistent with the apparent freedom given to the wicked: because:
- in any case Allah is all round all His creatures, and His delay as a Sign of Mercy in no way diminishes His power;
- the Visions of Truth vouchsafed to Prophets of Allah are themselves Signs by which they can warn the ungodly; and
- sometimes it is more merciful to give them time by not immediately bringing the matter to judgment. (R).
...وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ إِلاَّ فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ...
We granted the Vision which We showed thee, but as a trial for men --
C2249. Some Commentators take this as referring to the Mi'raj (17:1) and others to other visions. Such visions are miracles, and become a stumbling block to unbelievers.
They are an encouragement to men of faith. Thus they are "a trial for men".
...وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُونَةَ فِي القُرْآنِ...
as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'án:
C2250. The tree Zaqqum, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable.
See 37:62-65; 44:43-46; and 56:52.
All these are Surahs chronologically earlier than this Surah.
The application of the name to a tree of the myrobalan kind in the region of Jericho is, I think, of post-Quranic date.
It is a trial for wrong- doers. See 37:63 and n. 4073.
...وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلاَّ طُغْيَانًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٦٠﴾
We put terror (and warning) into them, but it only increases their inordinate transgression!
Other versions:
17: 60
Asad …encompasses all mankind [within his knowledge and might[]: and so We have ordained that the vision which We have shown thee [note 73]. – as also the tree [of Hell,] cursed in this Quran – shall be but a trial for men. [note 74].
Yusuf Ali Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about: We granted the vision which We showed thee but as a trial for men as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an: We put terror (and warning) into them but it only increases their inordinate transgression!
Pickthall And (it was a warning) when We told thee: Lo! thy Lord encompasseth mankind, and We appointed the vision which We showed thee as an ordeal for mankind, and (likewise) the Accursed Tree in the Qur'an. We warn them, but it increaseth them in naught save gross impiety.
Yuksel We had said to you: "Your Lord has encompassed the people." We did not make the vision that We showed you except as a test for the people, and the tree that was cursed in the Quran. We alert them, but it only increases their transgression.*
Wa iz qulna_ laka inna rabbaka aha_ta bin na_s(i), wa ma_ ja'alnar ru'yal lati araina_ka illa_ fitnatal lin na_si wasy syajaratal mal'u_nata fil qur'a_n(i), wa nukhawwifuhum, fama_ yaziduhum illa_ tugya_nan kabira_(n).
[[ Ali’s notes - 2248 The reference may be to lxxii. 28, probably an earlier Makkan revelation. But the argument is independent of time. This verse falls naturally into three divisions. Warnings and Portents and Signs are sent or not sent according to Allah's All-Wise Plan of Mercy and Justice, this is in no wise inconsistent with the apparent freedom given to the wicked: because (1) in any case Allah is all round all His creatures, and His delay as a Sign of Mercy in no way diminishes His power; (2) the Visions of Truth vouchsafed to Prophets of Allah are themselves Signs by which they can warn the ungodly; and (3) sometimes it is more merciful to give them time by not immediately bringing the matter to judgment. (17.60)
2249 Some Commentators take this as referring to the Mi'raj (xvii. 1) and others to other visions. Such visions are miracles, and become a stumbling block to unbelievers. They are an encouragement to men of faith. Thus they are "a trial for men". (17.60)
2250 The tree Zaqqum, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable. See xxxvii. 62-65; xliv. 43-46; and lvi. 52. All these are Suras chronologically earlier than this Sura. The application of the name to a tree of the myrobalan kind in the region of Jericho is, I think, of post-Quranic date. It is a trial for wrong-doers. See xxxvii. 63 and n. 4073. (17.60) ]]
[[ Asad’s note 74 – As regards “the tree cursed in this Quran”, there is no doubt that it is the “tree of deadly fruit” [shajarat az-zaqqum] spoken of in 37:62 ff. and 44:43 ff. as one of the manifestations of hell [ see 37:62-63 and the corresponding notes 22 and 23, …meant to convey a warning.]]
[[Ruby’s note- A tree bears a fruit that is the result of the entire system of a tree to produce the fruit. If that fruit becomes deadly the purpose of the tree [Allegorically here a life] is not only of vain but of negative consequences. This is perhaps an allegory.]]
[[Yuksel - 017:060 This might be a reference to Muhammad's journey to receive revelation (17:1 and 53:1-18). The diabolically poisonous tree, zaqqum, grows inside hell (37:62-66) and we are informed that it will confuse and expose the hypocrites as unappreciative people since they cannot understand that the hellfire is a metaphor. With their shallow literal understanding, they solidify their dogmatic fanaticism by scoffing at the Quran, "How can a tree grow in the middle of fire?" God uses examples with multiple purposes, thereby guiding those who are appreciative and misleading those who have already made their minds and chosen the wrong path (2:26; 3:7; 17:82; 74:31). No wonder, the Quran is a mercy and reminder for those who wish to take heed (6:157; 7:203; 12:111; 17:82; 29:51; 31:3; 45:20). ]]
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44. Surah Ad-Dukhan
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ
شَجَرَةَ
الزَّقُّومِ
﴿٤٣﴾
44: 43. Verily the tree of Zaqqum
C4721. Now follows a word-picture of the horrors to which Evil must lead us. What human language and what figures of speech can adequately describe them?
C4722. The opposite of "delicious Fruits" is the terrible tree of Zaqqam, which is further described in 37:62-68, where see n. 4073.
طَعَامُ
الْأَثِيمِ
﴿٤٤﴾
44: 44. Will be the food of the Sinful --
كَالْمُهْلِ
يَغْلِي فِي
الْبُطُونِ
﴿٤٥﴾
44: 45. Like molten brass; it will boil in their insides,
كَغَلْيِ
الْحَمِيمِ
﴿٤٦﴾
44: 46. Like the boiling of scalding water.
خُذُوهُ
فَاعْتِلُوهُ
إِلَى سَوَاء
الْجَحِيمِ
﴿٤٧﴾
44: 47. (A voice will cry:)
"Seize ye him and drag him into the midst of the Blazing Fire!
ثُمَّ
صُبُّوا
فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِ
مِنْ عَذَابِ
الْحَمِيمِ
﴿٤٨﴾
44: 48. "Then pour over his head the Penalty of Boiling Water;
ذُقْ
إِنَّكَ
أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ
الْكَرِيمُ
﴿٤٩﴾
44: 49. "Taste thou (this)!
Truly wast thou Mighty, full of honor!
C4723. In this particular Surah the besetting sin we are considering is the arrogance born of place or power, wealth or honour, as understood in this world. The punishment of ignominy looks back to the kind of sin which is to be punished.
Asad’s Version:
44:43 Verily, [in the life to come] the tree of deadly fruit 24
(44:44) will be the food of the sinful: 25
(44:45) like molten lead will it boil in the belly,
(44:46) like the boiling of burning despair. 26
(44:47) [And the word will be spoken:] "Seize him, [O you forces of hell,] and drag him into the midst of the blazing fire:
(44:48) then pour over his head the anguish of burning despair!
(44:49) Taste it - thou who [on earth] hast considered thyself so mighty, so noble! 27 (44:50) This is the very thing which you [deniers of the truth] were wont to call in question!" 28
[[Asad’s notes -
24 See scrah 37, note 22.
25 The term al-athim (lit., "the sinful one") has here apparently a specific connotation, referring to a wilful denial of resurrection and of God's judgment: in other words, of all sense and meamng in man's existence.
26 For this tropical meaning of the term hamfm, see surah 6, note 62.
27 Lit., "for, behold, thou wert...", etc. - thus alluding to the sin of arrogance due to disbelief in a continuation of life after death and, hence, in man's ultimate responsibility to God. (Cf - "Verily, man becomes grossly overweening whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient" - and the corresponding note 4.)
28 I.e., the continuation of life after death. ]]