Surah Al-Haqqah — Verse 34

Word Meanings:

• لَا يَحُضُّ — does not urge or encourage others.
• طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ — feeding the poor and the needy.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse continues to describe the traits of the wicked sinner who is being cast into the Fire. Among the most glaring of his faults is that he not only refrains from feeding the poor himself, but he also fails to encourage others to do so. He does not urge his family, his friends, or his community to show compassion toward those in need. He is entirely indifferent to the suffering of the destitute, and he never lifts a finger—nor even a word—to alleviate their hunger. This is a sign of a heart that has been hardened by selfishness and a soul that has lost touch with the natural human instinct of mercy.

The verse highlights that true faith is not merely a matter of belief in the heart; it must manifest in action. A person who truly believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment cannot remain unmoved by the plight of the hungry and the helpless. The Qur'an repeatedly links faith with feeding the poor, showing that charity and social responsibility are inseparable from genuine piety.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, this verse is a profound reminder that Islam is a religion of compassion and social justice. It is not enough to pray and fast while ignoring the needy around us. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor goes hungry." Let this verse inspire you to be a person who not only gives but also encourages others to give. A single word of encouragement to feed a hungry person can be a means of immense reward. Be the one who opens doors of goodness for others, for the one who guides to good is like the one who does it. Let us strive to be among those who feed the poor and urge others to do the same, so that we may be saved from the punishment of the Fire and admitted into the gardens of eternal bliss.