al-Wāqi‘ah

فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ

فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ

هَذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ

54. "And drink boiling water on top of it.

55. "And you shall drink it like thirsty camels!"

56. That shall be their preliminary entertainment on the Day of Resurrection!

The blessed Verses in question are saying that when they eat the disgusting food, they become thirsty. But, what shall their drink be? The blessed Qur’anic Verses reflect that they shall drink boiling water on top of the disgusting food such that they are likened to thirsty camels suffering from dropsy or edema. Camels afflicted with the disease get so thirsty and drink so much water that they perish. This is the fate of the erring and the deniers on the Day of Resurrection. The Arabic word hamim denotes very hot and boiling water. The Arabic phrase wali hamim is applied to a very intimate friend.

The word hammam ("bathroom") is a cognate of the same. The word him is applied to burning thirst or dropsy with which camels may be afflicted. Some Qur’anic exegetes maintain that the word is applied to sandy deserts absorbing water even in large quantities. The blessed Verse 56 makes another reference to the food and drink in question saying that they shall be their means of entertainment. Au contraire, the people on the Right Hand rest in very pleasant shades and eat of the best fruits and drink of sweet spring water and pure wine and are absorbed in Divine Love.

Thus, there shall be a great difference between the twain groups. The Arabic word nuzul is applied to the preliminary entertainment provided for the company who are ad hoc disbelievers and further excruciating torments shall be in store for them. Thus, God Almighty is Just and His Chastisements are Fair. All hardships are the consequences of deeds and that Day shall be the Day of Recompense and Reward.