قَالَ ٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَّدْحُورًا ۖ لَّمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 18
Translations
[Allāh] said, "Depart from it [i.e., Paradise], reproached and expelled. Whoever follows you among them - I will surely fill Hell with you, all together."
Transliteration
Qāla akhruJ minhā madhūman madhūrā, liman tabi'aka minhum la-amlā'anna jahannama minkum ajma'īn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Iblis to exit Paradise in disgrace and humiliation as punishment for his disobedience and arrogance. Allah then declares that He will fill Hell with Iblis and all of his followers among mankind and jinn who obey him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this ayah establishes the consequence of rejecting divine guidance and following Satan's whispers—a warning applicable to all who choose rebellion against Allah's commands.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Iblis's expulsion from Paradise (Surah Al-A'raf: 11-18), which occurs in the context of the story of creation and humanity's elevated status. The surah addresses the Meccan polytheists, and this account serves as a foundational warning about the consequences of pride, disobedience, and leading others astray from the path of Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When Allah created the creation, He wrote in His Book: My mercy will overcome My wrath.' (Sahih Bukhari 3194). Additionally, regarding Iblis's rejection: 'Iblis refused and was arrogant' (18:34), emphasizing that arrogance is the root of damnation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting divine guidance through pride and arrogance leads to inevitable punishment, while also reminding us that we have the power to resist Satan's influence by choosing obedience to Allah. For believers, it is a sobering reminder to remain humble, seek Allah's guidance, and protect ourselves from following those who lead us away from righteousness.
Related Ayahs
وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْأَيْكَةِ وَقَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ ۚ كُلٌّ كَذَّبَ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ وَعِيدِ
And the companions of the thicket and the people of Tubbaʿ. All denied the messengers, so My threat was justly fulfilled.
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.
ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
Then We drowned the others.
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ
And they attribute to Allāh that which they dislike [i.e., daughters], and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best [from Him]. Assuredly, they will have the Fire, and they will be [therein] neglected.