Surah 'Abasa — Verse 36

Word Meanings:

• Ṣāḥibatihi (وَصَاحِبَتِهِ): His wife — the life companion and partner.
• Banīhi (وَبَنِيهِ): His children — his sons and offspring.

Explanation of the Verse:

On the Day of Judgment, when the deafening Blast (the second Trumpet) pierces the ears with its sheer terror, every person will be consumed by their own overwhelming fear and desperation. In that moment of utter chaos, a man will flee from those who were dearest to him in this worldly life — even from his own brother, his mother and father, his wife, and his children. The verse highlights that he runs from his wife and his sons as well, because each soul on that Day will be entirely preoccupied with its own fate, drowning in the weight of its own deeds and the dread of what lies ahead. No one will have the capacity to care for another, no matter how close the bond was in the world. The ties of love and kinship that once held people together will dissolve in the face of that immense terror, as every person realises that their loved ones cannot save them, and they cannot save their loved ones.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This vivid scene from the Qur'an is not meant to frighten us into despair, but to awaken our hearts to a profound truth: this world, with all its attachments, is fleeting, and the real meeting with Allah is inevitable. The very fact that a man would flee from his wife and children — those he loved most — shows how immense that Day will be. But Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given us the roadmap to safety. He has sent the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to guide us. If we build our lives on faith, sincere deeds, and love for Allah above all else, then on that Day we will not be among those fleeing in terror — rather, we will be among those who are secure, welcomed into gardens of eternal bliss. So let this verse be a gentle reminder: invest your love and your efforts in what truly lasts — your relationship with your Creator — and you will find that even your family ties become a source of joy in this world and the next, not a source of regret. The Qur'an is a light; walk by it, and you will never stumble in the darkness of that Day.