Sūrat al-Humazah is a Meccan chapter and consists of nine verses. The chapter presents a social problem that could exist in any community, caused mostly by the obsession with wealth that leads to an egoistic and arrogant attitude, leading to ill feelings towards others, and ultimately to offending them. The chapter ends with the description of the severe, degrading, and painful punishment in the hereafter for such offenders.
Samarqandī mentions that a group of exegetes have considered the revelation of this chapter was in condemnation of al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah, describing his character. He was a rich Meccan idol worshipper who used to mock and slander the Prophet in his presence and in his absence.
Other exegetes have indicated other culprits, such as Akhnas ibn Shurayq, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and ʿĀṣ ibn Wāʾil. However, the majority of the commentators have indicated that these historical examples do not limit the application of the chapter to them only, and the chapter may be applied to anyone who has a similar attitude in the past, present, or future, and any such person would suffer the painful consequences mentioned in the surah. Moreover, the warning of the punishments mentioned in the surah is not restricted to the offender of the Prophet only, but is inclusive of anyone who repeatedly offends, insults, accuses, or hurts the feelings of any innocent person, regardless of time and place.
Ṭabatabai, as well as many other exegetes, mentions that this surah generally indicates a strong warning and condemnation for all those who are obsessed with collecting wealth and are arrogant and egoistic in dealing with people by repeatedly slandering them according to their defects and shortcomings.
Some exegetes have connected this surah with Sūrat al-ʿAṣr (103) which precedes it, indicating that an example of the verse Indeed man is in loss (103:2) in that surah could be a reference to the scandal-monger and slanderer, who amasses wealth in this surah. > A stronger connection can be made with the next surah, Sūrat al-Fīl (105), in which the arrogant Abrahah, who was obsessed with his wealth and power, came to mock and insult the Meccans by looting their wealth and destroying their revered monument, the Kaaba.
Therefore, the comprehended connecting pattern between these three chapters is that Sūrat al-ʿAṣr mentions the loss incurred by man, Sūrat al-Humazah mentions some of the major crimes committed by the person in loss and the consequences he must face, and Sūrat al-Fīl gives an example of an arrogant person and his power, who was crushed and humiliated.
[1] Samarqandi, 3/616. [2] Imani, An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an, https://www.al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-2. [3] Mizan, 20/358. [4] Gharaib, 6/562. [5] Muhit, 10/541.