Surah Al Ghashiyah – The Overwhelming (سورۃ الغاشیۃ)

Surah Al Ghashiyah is the 88th chapter of the Holy Quran. It consists of 26 verses and was revealed in Makkah. This Makki Surah vividly describes the events of the Day of Judgment, the contrasting fates of the believers and disbelievers, and the signs of Allah’s power visible in the universe. Its name “Al-Ghashiyah” means “The Overwhelming Event” — referring to the Day of Resurrection that will overwhelm and cover everything.
The Surah serves as a powerful reminder for humanity to reflect on creation, prepare for the Hereafter, and turn to Allah before that overwhelming day arrives. It is short yet deeply impactful, often recited in the Friday prayer and during travel for protection and reflection

Surah Al Ghashiyah Overview

Surah Gashiya Ayats	Surah Al Ghashiyah Words	Surah Ghashiyah Letter	Surah Ghashiya Ruku
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Written by Muhammad Mobushir
Founder, Faiz e Islam

Assalamu Alaikum! This detailed explanation of Surah Al-Ghashiyah has been prepared with love and care using authentic sources of the Quran and Tafseer. My goal is to make the beautiful message of the Quran easy to understand and implement in our daily lives. May Allah accept this effort and make it a Sadaqah Jariyah for all of us. Ameen.

Arabic + Transliteration + English Translation of Surah Al Ghashiyah

Ayah 1 Arabic: هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ

Transliteration: Hal atāka ḥadīthul-ghāshiyah?

English: Has there reached you the story of the Overwhelming Event?

Ayah 2 Arabic: وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَاشِعَةٌ

Transliteration: Wujūhun yawma-idhin khāshiʿah.

English: Faces, on that Day, will be humbled.

Ayah 3 Arabic: عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ

Transliteration: ʿĀmilatun nāṣibah.

English: Working hard and exhausted.

Ayah 4 Arabic: تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً

Transliteration: Taṣlā nāran ḥāmiyah.

English: They will enter a scorching Fire.

Ayah 5 Arabic: تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ آنِيَةٍ

Transliteration: Tusqā min ʿaynin āniyah.

English: They will be given drink from a boiling spring.

Ayah 6 Arabic: لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ

Transliteration: Laysa lahum ṭaʿāmun illā min ḍarīʿ.

English: There will be no food for them except from a bitter thorny plant.

Ayah 7 Arabic: لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِن جُوعٍ

Transliteration: Lā yusminu wa lā yughnī min jūʿ.

English: Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.

Ayah 8 Arabic: وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ

Transliteration: Wujūhun yawma-idhin nāʿimah.

English: Faces, on that Day, will be joyful.

Ayah 9 Arabic: لِّسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ

Transliteration: Lisaʿyihā rāḍiyah.

English: Satisfied with their effort.

Ayah 10 Arabic: فِي جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ

Transliteration: Fī jannatin ʿāliyah.

English: In an elevated garden.

Ayah 11 Arabic: لَّا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَاغِيَةً

Transliteration: Lā tasmaʿu fīhā lāghiyah.

English: They will hear no idle talk therein.

Ayah 12 Arabic: فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ

Transliteration: Fīhā ʿaynun jāriyah.

English: Within it is a flowing spring.

Ayah 13 Arabic: فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ

Transliteration: Fīhā sururun marfūʿah.

English: Within it are raised couches.

Ayah 14 Arabic: وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ

Transliteration: Wa akwābun mawḍūʿah.

English: And cups put in place.

Ayah 15 Arabic: وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ

Transliteration: Wa namāriqu maṣfūfah.

English: And cushions lined up.

Ayah 16 Arabic: وَزَرَابِيُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ

Transliteration: Wa zarābiyyu mabthūthah.

English: And carpets spread around.

Ayah 17 Arabic: أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى الْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ

Transliteration: A-fa-lā yanẓurūna ilal-ibili kayfa khuliqat?

English: Then do they not look at the camels — how they are created?

Ayah 18 Arabic: وَإِلَى السَّمَاءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ

Transliteration: Wa ilas-samā’i kayfa rufiʿat?

English: And at the sky — how it is raised?

Ayah 19 Arabic: وَإِلَى الْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ

Transliteration: Wa ilal-jibāli kayfa nuṣibat?

English: And at the mountains — how they are erected?

Ayah 20 Arabic: وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ

Transliteration: Wa ilal-arḍi kayfa suṭiḥat?

English: And at the earth — how it is spread out?

Ayah 21 Arabic: فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ

Transliteration: Fa dhakkir innamā anta mudhakkir.

English: So remind them — you are only a reminder.

Ayah 22 Arabic: لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ

Transliteration: Lasta ʿalayhim bi-muṣayṭir.

English: You are not over them a controller.

Ayah 23 Arabic: إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ

Transliteration: Illā man tawallā wa kafara.

English: Except for those who turn away and disbelieve.

Ayah 24 Arabic: فَيُعَذِّبُهُ اللَّهُ الْعَذَابَ الْأَكْبَرَ

Transliteration: Fa yuʿadhibuhu Allāhul-ʿadhābal-akbar.

English: Then Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment.

Ayah 25 Arabic: إِنَّ إِلَيْنَا إِيَابَهُمْ

Transliteration: Inna ilaynā iyābahum.

English: Indeed, to Us is their return.

Ayah 26 Arabic: ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُمْ

Transliteration: Thumma inna ʿalaynā ḥisābahum.

English: Then indeed, upon Us is their account.

History and Background of Surah Al-Ghashiyah

Surah Al-Ghashiyah was revealed in the early Makkah period when the Quraysh were strongly opposing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. At that time, the main message of the Quran focused on Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), the Hereafter, and warning the disbelievers about the consequences of their arrogance.

This Surah was revealed to shake the hearts of the people of Makkah by painting a terrifying yet truthful picture of the Day of Judgment. It addresses the disbelievers who mocked the idea of resurrection and accountability. Through beautiful descriptions of Paradise and Hell, and by pointing to the signs in nature (camels, sky, mountains, earth), Allah invites every reader to reflect and believe.

According to scholars, this Surah is often paired with Surah Al-Ala and Surah Al-Fajr because of its similar theme of the Hereafter and the signs of Allah.

Importance of Surah Al-Ghashiyah

Surah Al-Ghashiyah is one of the short Makki Surahs that powerfully remind humanity of the reality of the Hereafter. It contrasts the fate of the arrogant disbelievers with the reward of the believers in a very vivid way. The Surah is frequently recited in the Sunnah prayers of Eid and Jumu’ah, showing its importance in Islamic tradition.

Virtues and Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Ghashiyah

Reciting this Surah increases awareness of the Day of Judgment and motivates good deeds.
It protects the reciter from heedlessness and arrogance.
Many scholars recommend reciting it for protection during travel and for attaining peace of mind.
It helps in developing Taqwa and encourages reflection on the signs of Allah in nature.

Practical Benefit: Reciting it regularly helps one stay focused on the eternal life rather than getting lost in worldly distractions.

Disclaimer:

This content is prepared for educational and spiritual purposes only. All translations and explanations are based on authentic sources of the Holy Quran and classical Tafseer. Faiz e Islam does not issue any religious rulings (fatwa). For any personal religious matters, please consult qualified Islamic scholars.

Last Updated: April 2026
Author: Muhammad Mobushir
Website: Faiz e Islam – Authentic Islamic Knowledge

May Allah accept this humble effort and make it beneficial for the Ummah. Jazakumullah Khairan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Surah Al Ghashiyah

The main message is to remind humanity about the Day of Judgment and to reflect on the signs of Allah in creation.

Yes, it increases reflection on the Hereafter, brings peace, and protects from heedlessness.

It is a Makki Surah revealed in Makkah.

It is highly recommended to recite it in the Sunnah prayers of Eid and Jumu’ah, and any time you want to remember the Hereafter.

“Al-Ghashiyah” means “The Overwhelming Event” — referring to the Day of Resurrection that will overwhelm everything.

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