لَا تُبْقِى وَلَا تَذَرُ 28
Translations
It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned],
Transliteration
Lā tubqī wa lā tadharu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of Hellfire (Jahannam), stating that it 'neither leaves anything uneaten nor does it spare anything.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this emphasizes the consuming, all-encompassing nature of the Fire—it devours everything cast into it without mercy or remainder. The verse conveys the terrifying reality of divine punishment and serves as a stark warning to those who reject faith.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission. This particular ayah appears in a section describing the Day of Judgment and Hellfire, forming part of the surah's powerful message about accountability and the consequences of disbelief. The context emphasizes the certainty and severity of the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Hellfire: 'The fire of Hell is 69 times hotter than the fires of this world' (Sahih Bukhari 3265). Additionally, in Sunan Ibn Majah, there are descriptions of Hell's intensity that correlate with the Quranic descriptions of its all-consuming nature.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the serious consequences of rejecting divine guidance and encourages sincere repentance and obedience to Allah in this life. For modern readers, it serves as a profound spiritual reminder that our choices have eternal consequences, motivating us toward righteousness and fear of Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا ۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment for what you used to deny."
فَكُبْكِبُوا۟ فِيهَا هُمْ وَٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
So they will be overturned into it [i.e., Hellfire], they and the deviators
ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ
[They will be told], "Proceed to that which you used to deny.
وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَـٰسِقُونَ
And judge, [O Muḥammad], between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allāh has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allāh only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient.