لَهَا سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَٰبٍ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌ مَّقْسُومٌ 44
Translations
It has seven gates; for every gate is of them [i.e., Satan's followers] a portion designated."
Transliteration
Laha saba'atu abwab; likull bab minhum juz'un maqsum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Hell (Jahannam) as having seven gates, with each gate assigned a specific portion of the inhabitants of Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that these seven gates represent different levels or divisions of Hell, and each gate receives those destined for it according to Allah's justice and their deeds. The division of inhabitants by gate emphasizes the order and precision of Divine justice, as well as the gradations of punishment corresponding to the severity of sins.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan surah that discusses the creation of humanity, the nature of the Hereafter, and warnings about the consequences of disbelief. The broader context (15:43-44) describes the location and structure of Hell, serving as a stark reminder to the Meccan disbelievers of the reality of the Day of Judgment and the certainty of accountability.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly explains the 'seven gates,' Sahih Muslim contains hadiths about the levels and gates of Paradise and Hell. The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned in various authentic traditions that Hell has different compartments and levels of punishment corresponding to the degrees of sins committed.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's justice is perfectly organized and comprehensive—no sin is overlooked, and each person will face consequences proportionate to their deeds. It serves as a powerful motivation to abstain from disobedience and maintain consciousness of Allah's accountability in this life.