You are here: Home » Chapter 104 » Verse 1 » Translation
← Sura 104 →
← Aya 1 →

Chapter 104

The Scandal-mongeral-Humazah ( الهمزة )

9 verses • revealed at Meccan

»The surah that opens with a threat of impending affliction and grief to The Scandal-monger or the slanderous reviler, one who, in greediness of wealth and acclaim, defames others. It takes its name from “the slanderer” (humazah) mentioned in verse 1. The surah condemns the greedy backbiter and gives a description of Hell.«

The surah is also known as The Backbiter, The Gossipmonger, The Slanderer, The Slanderous Reviler

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Yusuf Ali: In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1
وَيلٌ لِكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُمَزَةٍ

Yusuf Ali

This Meccan Sūra condemns all sorts of scandal, backbiting, and selfish hoarding of wealth, as destroying the hearts and affections of men.
C. 284 | [104:1-9] Woe to the man or woman who deals in scandal, in word or act, or by insults or suggestions. Woe to the backbiter, even if his tale is true, for the taint is in his motive. Woe to the miser who blocks up the channels of use and service and dams up his wealth, as if he could remain in possession for all time! The Fire of Wrath will envelop them and wither up their hearts and minds, and consume that largeness of life which is the portion of mankind.
Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter,1
  • Three vices are here condemned in the strangest terms: (1) scandal-mongering, talking or suggesting evil of men or women by word or innuendo, or behaviour, or mimicry, or sarcasm, or insult; (2) detracting from their character behind their backs, even if the things suggested are true, where the motive is evil; (3) piling up wealth, not for use and service to those who need it, but in miserly hoards, as if such hoards can prolong the miser’s life or give him immortality: miserliness is itself a kind of scandal.