ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ 48
Translations
Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."
Transliteration
Thumma subboo fawqa ra'sihi min adhabi al-hameem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a punishment in the Hellfire where boiling water is poured over the head of the disbeliever, representing an intensification of their torment. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this sequential punishment (indicated by 'thumma' - then) follows other torments, emphasizing the severity and multiplicity of suffering in the afterlife for those who rejected faith. The 'hameem' (boiling water) is considered one of the most painful punishments, as it scalds both externally and internally.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ad-Dukhan, a Meccan chapter that vividly describes the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. The broader context depicts scenes from the Hellfire as a warning to those who deny the truth and reject Allah's signs, fitting the Meccan period's emphasis on warnings about the Last Day.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the people of the Fire: 'The least punishment of the people of the Fire is to have shoes of fire put on them, by which the brains in their heads will boil' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:47 describes the snatching of the forelock into the fire before this ayah, showing the progression of torment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of rejecting faith and Allah's guidance, urging believers to strengthen their conviction and warn others. It emphasizes that worldly pleasures and denial of truth lead to unimaginable suffering, making repentance and obedience to Allah paramount for both spiritual and eternal well-being.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
۞ وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And if you are astonished, [O Muḥammad] - then astonishing is their saying, "When we are dust, will we indeed be [brought] into a new creation?" Those are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord, and those will have shackles upon their necks, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame
كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"