لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يَسْمَعُونَ 100
Translations
For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.
Transliteration
Lahum fīhā zafīrun wa-hum fīhā lā yasma'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Hell, stating that they will have intense sighing and groaning (zafīr) within it, yet they will not hear one another's voices. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this represents a state of profound isolation and despair—despite their proximity to one another, they are consumed by their individual torment and unable to communicate or find solace. The contradiction between their collective presence and individual isolation emphasizes the complete severance from mercy and comfort that characterizes Hell.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anbiya's description of the Day of Judgment and the final destinies of the righteous and the wicked. The surah, revealed in Mecca during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, presents vivid scenes of the afterlife to warn disbelievers and encourage believers in their faith during persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The distance between the two ears of Hell is seventy years' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi describes the vastness and horrors of Hell, reinforcing the Quranic descriptions of its torment and the isolation of its inhabitants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting faith and guidance, emphasizing that Hell is not merely physical punishment but a state of complete spiritual desolation where one is cut off from all mercy and community. For believers, it reinforces the urgency of seeking Allah's forgiveness, maintaining brotherhood with others, and avoiding actions that lead to such a dire fate.