شئم

Core meaning

The left side, opposite the right side. The text uses it only to place, on the last day, those who have disowned.

Uses

1. ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَة → "the left side" : always in "the companions of the left side", facing the companions of the right side (ٱلْمَيْمَنَة).

   • «وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ» — "And the companions of the left side — what are the companions of the left side?" (56:9)
   • «هُمْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ» — "they are the companions of the left side" (90:19)

Evidence from the text

The word comes each time after ٱلْمَيْمَنَة, "the right side" (56:8-9, 90:18-19): people are divided into two sides. In 56:9, the doubled question leaves the fate in suspense, after the companions of the right side; in 90:19, the text names those who are there: those who disowned the signs. The place is therefore no accident of direction: it answers a choice made before.

Distinctions

• شمل — the left, ٱلشِّمَال: the side itself, which goes with the right to say all sides; ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَة serves only for the sharing of the last day

See also

يمن (the right)