عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌۢ 20
Translations
Over them will be fire closed in.
Transliteration
Alayihim narun mu'asadah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a fire that is 'closed in' or 'sealed' upon the inhabitants of Hell, indicating a comprehensive and inescapable punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret mu'asadah (مُّؤْصَدَةٌ) as a fire that is locked, enclosed, or sealed from all sides, from which there is no escape or relief. This emphasizes the totality and permanence of the divine punishment for those who reject faith and commit transgressions.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Balad is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, and this ayah appears in the concluding section that contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the arrogant disbelievers. The surah emphasizes moral accountability and divine justice, warning those who reject guidance about the inevitable consequences.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The fire will be shut upon the people of the fire,' which aligns with the concept of mu'asadah. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths describing the comprehensive nature of Hell's punishment and the impossibility of escape for its inhabitants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance has absolute and irreversible consequences, encouraging believers to reflect deeply on their choices and commitment to faith. It underscores that true success lies in following the path of righteousness, as the alternative is a comprehensive and inescapable punishment.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ
And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment."
وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا وَمَا لَيْسَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِن نَّصِيرٍ
And they worship besides Allāh that for which He has not sent down authority and that of which they have no knowledge. And there will not be for the wrongdoers any helper.
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.