لَا يَصْلَىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْأَشْقَى 15
Translations
None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one
Transliteration
Lā yaslāhā illā al-ashqā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that only the most wretched and sinful (al-ashqā) will be cast into the Hellfire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret al-ashqā as referring to those who persist in grave sins and reject the truth despite clear signs. The ayah emphasizes that entering Hell is reserved for those who reject faith and persist in disobedience, highlighting divine justice in punishment.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Layl was revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam, addressing the fundamental themes of accountability and the afterlife. This ayah appears within a passage describing the contrasting fates of the righteous and the wicked on the Day of Judgment, reinforcing the Quranic theme that consequences are determined by one's spiritual state and choices.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire has eighty thousand gatekeepers, each with eighty thousand soldiers' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim describes the severity of punishment: 'The least torment in Hell is that a man will have two shoes of fire that will cause his brains to boil.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's punishment is just and measured, reserved for those who willfully reject truth and persist in transgression. It should inspire Muslims to seek repentance, avoid grave sins, and remember that sincere faith and righteous deeds are the means of salvation.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا۟ كُلَّ أُنَاسٍۭ بِإِمَـٰمِهِمْ ۖ فَمَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَقْرَءُونَ كِتَـٰبَهُمْ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
[Mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will call forth every people with their record [of deeds]. Then whoever is given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and injustice will not be done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside the date seed].
وَرَءَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٱلنَّارَ فَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مُّوَاقِعُوهَا وَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا
And the criminals will see the Fire and will be certain that they are to fall therein. And they will not find from it a way elsewhere.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيرًا
Indeed, Allāh has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze.
وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ
And burning in Hellfire.