إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ 6
Translations
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina kafaroo min ahli al-kitabi wa-al-mushrikina fi nari jahannam khalidina fihaa. Ulaika hum sharru al-bariyyah.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that those who disbelieve from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and the polytheists will dwell eternally in Hellfire, and they are described as 'the worst of creation.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as addressing those who reject the clear proofs and signs of Allah despite receiving revelation or clear monotheistic guidance. The emphasis on their eternal punishment (khalidina fihaa) underscores the severity of rejecting divine guidance when it has been made manifest.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof) is a Medinan surah revealed to clarify that the religion of Islam is based on clear evidence and proof, distinct from the confusion of previous communities. This ayah concludes the surah by emphasizing the consequence for those who stubbornly reject this clear proof despite its clarity, encompassing all categories of disbelievers—whether from People of the Book or pagan Arabs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari 1385). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the intercession of the Prophet emphasizes that those who die in disbelief will not benefit from intercession.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the gravity of rejecting Allah's clear signs and the importance of accepting guidance when it is made evident. For modern readers, it serves as a call to recognize the clarity of Islamic truth and to be grateful for faith, while motivating sincere reflection on one's relationship with divine guidance.