Surah 104 - Al-Humazah (The Slanderer)

1 Woe to every slandering defamer,

The surah opens with a pronouncement of judgment (“woe”), targeting verbal cruelty and social contempt. Christianity strongly affirms this moral concern: sins of the tongue are treated as spiritually deadly (James 3:6). From a Christian standpoint, this verse correctly identifies speech as a window into the heart, though it immediately moves to condemnation rather than repentance.

[Tags: slander , speech ethics , judgment , social sin , hypocrisy]

2 Who has gathered wealth (of this world) and arranged it.

The target is now clarified: the slanderer is often wealthy, self-secure, and obsessed with accumulation. Wealth here is not neutral; it becomes a source of arrogance and false identity. Christianity closely parallels this critique (Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:9), warning that wealth can distort moral vision.

[Tags: wealth , greed , materialism , false security , pride]

3 He thinks that his wealth will render him immortal.

4 No, but verily he will be flung to the Consuming One.

5 Ah, what will convey to you what the Consuming One is!

6 (It is) the fire of Allah, kindled,

7 Which leaps up over the hearts (of men).

8 See! it is closed in on them

9 In outstretched columns.