Detailed Scholarly Analysis
Detailed Analysis: Surah Al-Ghaashiya Ayah 6
Explore comprehensive scholarly analysis, linguistic insights, and practical applications of this verse from the Holy Quran based on classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship.
Introduction
Quran 88:6 appears in Surah Al-Ghashiyah's vivid description of the Day of Judgment, specifically detailing the wretched sustenance awaiting hell's inhabitants. According to Al-Tabari and other classical commentators, this verse follows the description of humiliated faces and provides specific details about their punishment through inadequate food. The verse serves as part of Allah's complete picture of divine justice, showing how even basic sustenance becomes a source of torment for those who rejected divine guidance.
Translation Overview
The Arabic 'laysa lahum ta'amun illa min dari'' maintains consistent meaning across translations. Saheeh International renders it 'For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant,' while Yusuf Ali provides 'No food will there be for them but a bitter Dhari.' Dr. Mustafa Khattab translates it as 'They will have no food except a foul, thorny shrub.' The consensus emphasizes the wretched nature of this sustenance, with variations primarily in describing the plant's characteristics rather than its fundamental meaning.
Classical Interpretation
Al-Tabari provides extensive chain of transmission showing Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and Qatadah unanimously identified dari as shibriq - a thorny plant that becomes dari when dried. Ibn Kathir explains that this plant is so bitter and poisonous that animals avoid it completely. Al-Qurtubi notes that dari represents the worst possible food, emphasizing its role in divine punishment. Some scholars like Ibn Zaid suggest dari in hell could be thorns of fire, while maintaining the worldly reference as dried thorny grass.
Linguistic Analysis
The Arabic 'dari'' comes from the root meaning to be worn down or withered, connecting to the deteriorated state of both the plant and those who consume it. Classical grammarians note the word specifically refers to dried, thorny vegetation that has lost all nutritional value. The linguistic structure 'illa min dari'' (except from dari) emphasizes the exclusive nature of this wretched sustenance, indicating no alternative food sources exist for hell's inhabitants.
Historical Context
According to classical sources, Arabian tribes were familiar with dari/shibriq as a plant that grew in harsh conditions but became inedible when dried. Al-Qurtubi mentions that Bedouins recognized this plant as emergency fodder that actually harmed animals when consumed. The Quranic reference uses this familiar example to convey the concept of sustenance that increases rather than alleviates suffering, making the divine punishment comprehensible to the original audience.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Kathir preserves traditions describing how hell's inhabitants will experience hunger equivalent to their other torments, leading them to cry for food, only to be given dari that increases their suffering. Al-Baghawi mentions the hadith tradition where Abu Darda and Al-Hasan describe Allah sending hunger upon hell's people until they beg for food, then being given dari that provides no relief from their torment.
Practical Applications
Islamic scholars derive lessons about contentment with halal sustenance, gratitude for Allah's provisions, and the importance of choosing spiritual nourishment over forbidden pleasures. The verse encourages believers to appreciate lawful food while recognizing that rejection of divine guidance leads to spiritual and physical deprivation. Contemporary applications include mindful consumption, avoiding haram sustenance, and understanding that worldly choices have eternal consequences.
Scholarly Insights
Al-Qurtubi's detailed analysis explains why dari was chosen specifically - it represents sustenance that appears to be food but actually increases suffering. Modern scholars note the psychological aspect of this punishment: the perpetual hope for nourishment that never comes, creating an additional layer of torment. The verse demonstrates divine justice through the principle that those who rejected divine sustenance in life receive only punishment disguised as sustenance in the afterlife.
Cross References
This verse connects directly to 88:7 which explains dari neither fattens nor satisfies hunger. It relates to other hellfire food descriptions including 69:36 (ghislin), 37:66 (zaqqum fruit), and 44:43-46 (zaqqum tree). These collectively demonstrate the Quranic theme that hell's sustenance serves punishment rather than nourishment, creating a comprehensive picture of divine justice through deprivation of basic comforts.
Conclusion
Quran 88:6's description of dari as hell's only food establishes the principle that divine punishment extends to the most basic human needs. The scholarly consensus reveals how this verse uses familiar earthly references to convey eternal spiritual realities. This verse serves as both warning about the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and reminder of Allah's mercy in providing wholesome sustenance for believers in this life, encouraging gratitude and proper worship.
Note: This analysis is compiled from authentic Islamic sources and scholarly interpretations. Always consult qualified Islamic scholars for religious guidance and understanding.