هٰذا فَليَذوقوهُ حَميمٌ وَغَسّاقٌ
This; let them taste it: scalding water and pus.
EXEGESIS
Ḥamīm (scalding water) means water that is intensely hot.
Ghassāq (pus) has various meanings suggested for it. The verb ghasaqa is used for something that flows down. It most likely refers to what flows out of the wounds of the people of hell and is said by some to have a horrible smell. At times, the people of hell have no other choice but to drink that to satiate their thirst. Tasting in it neither any coolness nor drink, except boiling water and pus (ghassāq) (78:24-25). It is sometimes consumed as food if it is thicker and is called ghislīn: So he has no friend here today, nor any food except pus (ghislīn) (69:35-36).
EXPOSITION
Continuing with the same style as before, once again we are told that This – the bad destination mentioned in the previous verse – is the punishment awaiting the evildoers. It has been said that This precedes the verb, but in fact means: this is scalding water and pus, let them taste it. The first seems more appropriate though, and in keeping with the style of the previous verses.
They are then told to taste the punishment of hell. The usage of the verb taste is fitting here for two reasons; firstly, because it is the most sensitive and intense form of sensing something, by placing it in one’s mouth. Secondly, the two punishments described both relate to the mouth. The scalding water that is given to the people of hell to drink, which burns their mouth and insides, and the pus that flows out of their wounds which they resort to drinking in desperation. In any case, the order, let them taste it, is given in a way to imply that there is no choice in the matter for them; they must taste the offending liquids.
This is again in contrast to the abundant and unending food and drink served to the people of heaven.
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
There is some debate about the meaning of the word ghassāq. It is used in different meanings. Ghasaqa al-layl means the night grows dark, like in the verse, Maintain the prayer from the sun’s decline till the darkness (ghasaq) of the night (17:78). Makārim Shīrāzī argues it might be used for that since what flows out should be charred and black due to being burned in the fires of hell. This does not seem likely, as the meaning of flowing is probably more likely the link to pus rather than darkness.
Ibn Manẓūr lists the various usages of ghasaq. Ghasaqat ʿaynuh means his eyes filled with tears. Ghasaqa al-laban means milk came down (inṣabba) out of the udder. Ghasaqa al-jarḥ means yellow liquid flowed out (inṣabba) of the wound. In the same way, ghasaqa al-layl also means the night came down (inṣabba). The connection between all these usages seems to be idea of flowing down. Perhaps because of this some have said it refers to the tears of the people of hell which gather in pools.
Another aspect of the word seems to link it to coldness. It is said the night is called ghāsiq because it is colder than the day. It is also reported that it is an ice-cold stream in hell, the chill of which burns like fire. Makārim Shīrāzī argues that there is nothing in the root of the word to suggest such a meaning, and says it seems to be based just on juxtaposition to ḥamīm.
[1] Raghib, p. 254.
[2] Tabari, 23/113.
[3] Tibyan, 8/575; Tabari, 23/113; Zamakshari, 4/101; Qurtubi, 15/221; Lisan, 10/289.
[4] Tibyan, 8/574-575.
[5] Tabari, 23/133; Tabrisi, 8/573; Razi, 26/404.
[6] Tibyan, 8/575.
[7] Mizan, 12/219.
[8] Raghib, p. 606.
[9] Nemuneh, 19/321.
[10] Lisan, 10/288.
[11] Tabari, 23/113. This has also said to be the meaning of ḥamīm, although the connection to that is less apparent.
[12] Razi, 26/404; Lisan, 10/289.
[13] Tibyan, 8/575; Tabari, 23/114.
[14] Nemuneh, 19/320.