Chapter 111

ENTITLED, THE SLANDERER; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

WOE unto every slanderer, and backbiter:l who heapeth up riches, and prepareth the same for the time to come!

i i.e., Until ye die. According to the exposition of some commentators, the words should be rendered thus: The contending or vieing in numbers wholly employeth you, so that ye visit even the graves, to number the dead: to explain which, they relate that there was a great dispute and contention between the descendants of Abd Menâf and the descendants of Sahm, which of the two families were the more numerous; and it being found, on calculation, that the children of Abd Menâf exceeded those of Sahm, the Sahmites said that their numbers had been much diminished by wars in the time of ignorance, and insisted that the dead, as well as the living, should be taken into the account; and by this way of reckoning they were found to be more than the descendants of Abd Menâf.1 k Or the time from the sun's declination to his setting, which is one of the five appointed times of prayer. The original word also signifies, The age, or time in general. This passage is said to have been revealed against al Akhnas Ebn Shoreik, or al Walîd Ebn al Mogheira, or Omeyya Ebn Khalf, who were all guilty of slandering others, and especially the prophet.1

1 Al Zamakh., al Beidâwi, Jallal. 1 Idem.

He thinketh that his riches will render him immortal. By no means. He shall surely be cast into Al Hotama.m And who shall cause thee to understand what Al Hotama is? It is the kindled fire of GOD;n which shall mount above the hearts of those who shall be cast therein. Verily it shall be as an arched vault above them on columns of vast extent.

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