Al-Humazah, "The Scorner," is the hundred-and-fourth surah — 9 verses revealed in Mecca.1
What it is about
The surah opens with a curse on a type of person: "Woe to every scorner and mocker who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal."2 It answers: "No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what is the Crusher? It is the fire of Allah, [eternally] fueled, which mounts directed at the hearts. Indeed, it [i.e., Hellfire] will be closed down upon them in extended columns."3
Why it matters
Al-Humazah joins two faults that often go together: contempt for others and devotion to wealth. It exposes the illusion behind both — that money can secure a person against loss and even death — and it condemns mockery and slander as serious sins. To read Al-Humazah in Arabic with translations and recitation, open it on Quran.com.