وَطَعامًا ذا غُصَّةٍ وَعَذابًا أَليمًا

And a food that chokes [those who gulp it], and a painful punishment.

EXPOSITION

Ṭūsī reports the explanation of Ibn Abbas who explained this verse to mean ‘food that chokes due to thorns, which seize the throat such that nothing enters it or leaves it’. It has also been suggested to mean ‘food that seizes the throat due to its coarseness and roughness and its utter reprehensibility’.^{‎[1]Tibyan, 10/166. This hellish food is described in further vivid detail in 44:44-46, 69:36, and 88:6-7.}

It is reported that when the Prophet heard this verse being recited he swooned, and it is also narrated in another tradition that it was the Prophet himself who was reciting this verse and swooned on reaching it.^{‎[2]Tabrisi, 10/571.}

Verses 12 and 13 describe four types of painful punishments that the haughty unbelievers will be subjected to: heavy fetters, fierce fire, food that chokes, and painful punishment. These punishments are in effect the opposites of their state in the world. In this world they enjoyed absolute freedom, a comfortable and leisurely life, delicious food, and means of comfort. These will be the punishments that they will suffer in complete contrast to the blessings enjoyed in the worldly life due to their oppression, pride, and heedlessness from God.^{‎[3]Amthal, 19/142.}

[1] Tibyan, 10/166. This hellish food is described in further vivid detail in 44:44-46, 69:36, and 88:6-7.
[2] Tabrisi, 10/571.
[3] Amthal, 19/142.