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
ٱلَّذِى يَصْلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ
[He] who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire,
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."
فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَآ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ فَجَاسُوا۟ خِلَـٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولًا
So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ
So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.