كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ 45
Translations
Like murky oil, it boils within bellies
Transliteration
Ka-al-muhli yaghli fi al-butun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of the inhabitants of Hell, comparing the fluid they drink to molten fat or oil that boils within their bellies. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'al-muhl' refers to the purulent discharge from the wounds of the people of Hell, or molten brass, which will cause extreme agony as it boils inside them. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this depicts the severe internal torment of the damned, as this liquid will burn their insides while they are forced to drink it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ad-Dukhan, a Meccan surah that emphasizes divine judgment and the consequences of rejecting faith. The broader context (44:40-49) describes the punishment awaiting disbelievers in the afterlife, serving as a warning to the Meccan polytheists about the reality of the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the inhabitants of Hell: 'The least punished person in Hell will have two soles of fire under his feet, and his brain will boil from the heat' (Sahih Muslim 2844). Additionally, the Quran mentions in Surah Al-Hajj 22:20 a similar description of boiling fluid in their bellies.
Themes
Key Lesson
This vivid description of hellish punishment serves as a powerful reminder of the serious consequences of rejecting Allah's signs and guidance. For believers, it reinforces the importance of sincere faith and obedience, motivating them to seek Allah's mercy and avoid the path that leads to such dreadful punishment.