What will be the food for the people in Hell

What will be the food for the people in Hell

The Qur'an makes the following statements regarding the food that unbelievers will have in hell:
No food will there be for them but a bitter Dhari S. 88:6 Y. Ali
Nor hath he any food except the foul pus from the washing of wounds, S. 69:36 Y. Ali
In a footnote, Yusuf Ali gives the following explanation for Dhari:
It is a plant, bitter and thorny, loathsome in smell and appearance, which will neither give fattening nourishment to the body nor in any way satisfy the burning pangs of hunger. ...
Other translators render the term as "bitter thorn-fruit" (Pickthall) "dry, bitter and thorny herbage" (Sher Ali), "cactus thorn" (Arberry), "the foul thorn" (Palmer).
Obviously, both kinds of ‘food’ are chosen to evoke a feeling of horror when thinking about Hell. However, the contradiction is in the double claim that this or that will be the only food, i.e.
⦁ No food except Dhari (88:6).
⦁ No food except foul pus (69:36).
There is yet another passage that is relevant to this discussion:
Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?
For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.
For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:
The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:
Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.
Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.
Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire. S. 37:62-68 Y. Ali; cf. 56:52
Thus, regarding this one topic alone, the Qur'an contains three contradictions:
⦁ "Eating of the tree of Zaqqum" (37:66) contradicts "eating only Dhari" (88:6).
⦁ "Eating of the tree of Zaqqum" (37:66) contradicts "eating only foul pus" (69:36).
⦁ "Eating only Dhari" (88:6) contradicts "eating only foul pus" (69:36).

What is the Tree of Zaqqum?

The tree of Zaqqum is mentioned in 4 separate Surahs in the Noble Quran, and possible references to it have been made in other Surahs too.

The tree of Zaqqum is found in the heart of Hellfire and its bitter and throny product (a kind of awful fruit) will be eaten by the dwellers of Hellfire. This food will neither nourish nor taste good. It will only serve as a punishment for the dwellers of Hell. Its ugly fruit resembles the heads of the devils. The sinners at Hellfire who will be denied forgivness on the Day of Judgment will be hungry, yet the only food they will find will be the frightening product of the tree of Zaqqum. They will be compelled to eat it for lack of anything else or anything better. It will be so terrible that when consumed it will scald and burn the insides of those who eat it, make them feel choked and increase their suffering.

The following verses of the Noble Quran are worth reading in this regard, and remembering. They are a warning to disbelievers who refuse to reflect upon the Truth and are too distracted by the temporary worldly pleasures.

"And (it was a warning) when we told thee: Lo! thy Lord encompasseth mankind, and We appointed the sight which We showed thee as an ordeal for mankind, and (likewise) the Accursed Tree in the Qur'an. We warn them, but it increaseth them in naught save gross impiety." 17:60

"Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum ? Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong-doers. Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell. Its crop is as it were the heads of devils And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith." 37:62-66

"Lo! the tree of Zaqqum, The food of the sinner! Like molten brass, it seetheth in their bellies As the seething of boiling water." 44:43-46

"Then lo! ye, the erring, the deniers, Ye verily will eat of a tree called Zaqqum And will fill your bellies therewith;" 56:51-53

"Lo! with Us are heavy fetters and a raging fire, And food which choketh (the partaker), and a painful doom" 73:12-13

"No food for them save bitter thorn-fruit Which doth not nourish nor release from hunger." 88:6-7