OTHER FOODS AND DRINKS

 FAJR REMINDER: OTHER FOODS AND DRINKS

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Qa'dah 25, 1447 (13-May-2026)

In addition to the tree of Zaqqum, which the inhabitants of Hell will be compelled to eat, they will also be fed Ḍarī'. But what exactly is Aḍ-Ḍarī'? Allāh says: “No food will there be for them but Ḍarī' (a poisonous thorny plant), Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.” [Sūrah Al-Ghāshiyah (88): 6-7]

The majority of Qur’ān commentators, including Ibn ‘Abbās, Mujāhid, ‘Ikrimah, and Qatādah, explained that it refers to Ash-Shibriq, a certain type of thorny plant. It has also been mentioned that the Quraysh used to call it Ash-Shibriq during the spring season, but when it dried in the summer, they called it Aḍ-Ḍarī'. Imām Al-Bukhārī related from Mujāhid that he said, “The people of the Ḥijāz call it Aḍ-Ḍarī' when it dries, and it is poisonous.” [Check Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 88:6]

Ordinarily, people drink water after eating food. However, the people of Jahannam, after consuming the tree of Zaqqum or Ḍarī', will seek relief through drink, but what they will be given is Al-Ḥamīm — scalding boiling water. They will gulp it down like intensely thirsty camels, yet it will never satisfy their thirst. Instead, it will destroy them internally and rip apart their bowels. Allāh says: “(Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink boiling water (Ḥamīm), so that it cuts up their bowels?” [Sūrah Muḥammad (47): 15] 

In another verse, Allāh says: “Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies).” [Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37): 67] Abū Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Indeed Ḥamīm will be poured over their heads. The Ḥamīm will penetrate until it finds its way to his insides. Then whatever is inside him will fall out until it pours over his feet while it melts away. Then he will be reformed to how he was.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhī 2582]

Will they have other drinks besides this? Yes — among them are Al-Ghislīn and Al-Ghasāq, two horrifying substances that essentially refer to the filthy pus and discharge flowing from the bodies of the inhabitants of Hell. It is a revolting and unbearable drink beyond imagination. Allāh says: “Hell! Where they will burn, and worst (indeed) is that place to rest! This is so! Then let them taste it, a boiling fluid (Ḥamīm) and dirty wound discharges (Ghasāq).” [Sūrah Ṣād (38): 56-57]

There is also Ṭīnat al-Khabāl. This is another vile substance from the people of Hell that will be given as a drink to those who consumed intoxicants during worldly life. The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said: “Every intoxicant is forbidden. Verily Allāh the Exalted and Majestic, made a covenant to those who drank intoxicants to make their drink Ṭīnat al-Khabāl. They said: Allāh's Messenger, what is Ṭīnat al-Khabāl? He said: It is the sweat of the denizens of Hell or the discharge of the denizens of Hell.” [Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 2002]

Such is the dreadful reception awaiting the people of Hell in their everlasting abode. I beseech Allāh, the Most Merciful, to protect us from such humiliation and punishment, and to envelop us in His Mercy and Favour. Aameen.