كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّهَا لَظَىٰ 15
Translations
No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell],
Transliteration
Kallā innahā laẓā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah emphatically refutes the false hopes of the disbelievers who think they can escape punishment, asserting that Hell (Jahannam) is indeed a blazing fire of intense heat and pain. The word 'Ẓā' (ظى) refers to the most severe type of fire—one that burns and consumes without smoke, representing the ultimate suffering reserved for those who reject faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as a decisive divine statement rejecting any possibility of escape or mercy for those who persist in disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period context of Surah Al-Ma'arij, which discusses the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers and believers. It responds to the arrogance of Meccan polytheists who mocked the concept of resurrection and divine punishment, providing them with a stern warning about the absolute reality of Hell.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The Fire of this world is one of seventy parts of the Fire of Hell,' (Sahih Muslim 2841). Additionally, the Prophet described the intensity of Hell's heat in multiple narrations emphasizing its unprecedented severity (Sahih Bukhari 3265).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the serious consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the absolute certainty of divine justice—it should motivate sincere repentance and steadfastness in faith. For modern readers, it emphasizes that turning away from truth has real, eternal consequences, urging us to reflect deeply on our spiritual state and choices.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And what will be the supposition of those who invent falsehood about Allāh on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of them are not grateful.
قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰ وَيْلَكُمْ لَا تَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَيُسْحِتَكُم بِعَذَابٍ ۖ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ
Moses said to them [i.e., the magicians summoned by Pharaoh], "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allāh or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."
أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ
How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.
فَلَنُذِيقَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
But We will surely cause those who disbelieve to taste a severe punishment, and We will surely recompense them for the worst of what they had been doing.