فَأَنذَرْتُكُمْ نَارًا تَلَظَّىٰ 14
Translations
So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.
Transliteration
Fa-andhartukum naran talazza
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warns his people of a blazing Fire that intensifies in heat and flames. Ibn Kathir explains that 'talazza' (تَلَظَّىٰ) means a fire that is intensely hot and ever-increasing in its severity, emphasizing the magnitude of the punishment awaiting those who reject faith and follow their base desires. This warning serves as a merciful call to repentance before the Day of Judgment, as Al-Tabari notes that the Prophet's primary duty is to convey this stern warning to humanity.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Layl is a Meccan surah addressing the early believers and disbelievers of Mecca during the Prophet's initial preaching. This ayah comes toward the end of the surah as a climactic warning, part of the broader Meccan emphasis on the reality of the Hereafter and the consequences of one's choices in this life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Fire has seventy thousand veils, each veil is as thick as the distance between the heavens and the earth' (Musnad Ahmad). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018) relates to the warning nature of this message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that warnings about the consequences of our actions are signs of divine mercy, not cruelty, designed to guide us away from destructive paths. The intensity described should motivate sincere self-reflection and course correction toward righteousness in this life.