عَنِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 41
Translations
About the criminals,
Transliteration
'An al-mujrimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase, appearing in Ayah 74:41, refers to 'concerning the criminals' or 'about the guilty ones,' and is part of the question the blessed inhabitants of Paradise ask about those in Hell. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the concern of the righteous for those who rejected faith, demonstrating that even in Paradise, the believers maintain awareness of the fate of the disbelievers. The phrase emphasizes the sharp distinction between the two groups and the eternal consequences of one's choices in this world.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission, addressing themes of accountability and the afterlife. This particular ayah appears within the passage describing the scene in Paradise (74:39-48), where the inhabitants of Paradise inquire about the criminals in Hell, underscoring the reality of divine justice and the permanent separation between the righteous and the wicked.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2865) from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri describes the intercession of the Prophet and believers on behalf of their relatives in Hell, which relates thematically to the concern shown in this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-A'raf (7:49) contains a parallel passage where the people of Paradise address those in Hell, reinforcing this Quranic theme.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that our choices in this life have eternal consequences, and that righteousness in this world grants us awareness and concern even in the hereafter. It should motivate believers to live consciously, remembering that the fate of the criminals serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and moral rectitude.