لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهَبِ 31
Translations
[But having] no cool shade and availing not against the flame."
Transliteration
Laa zalīl wa lā yughnī min al-lahab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the state of the disbelievers in the Hellfire, indicating that they will have no shade (zalīl) to protect them from the intense heat and flames, nor will anything avail them against the scorching fire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this emphasizes the complete helplessness and vulnerability of those in punishment—there is no refuge, no comfort, and no means of escape from Allah's severe torment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mursalat, a Meccan chapter that vividly describes the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers and believers. The surah repeatedly emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment with the refrain 'Woe to the deniers' (waylan lil-mukadhdhibin), and this particular verse is part of a passage detailing the torment awaiting those who rejected faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, there will be no shade except the shade of Allah's Throne' (Sahih Bukhari 3437). This hadith relates directly to the ayah's mention of the absence of shade (zalīl) in the Hellfire, highlighting that only Allah's mercy provides protection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting Allah's guidance leads to complete abandonment and suffering, with no one to help or provide comfort. It should motivate believers to seek Allah's mercy, maintain faith, and appreciate the protection that comes through obedience to the Divine.
Related Ayahs
وَأَلْقَتْ مَا فِيهَا وَتَخَلَّتْ
And has cast out that within it and relinquished [it].
يَوْمَ تَمُورُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ مَوْرًا
On the Day the heaven will sway with circular motion
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوا۟ مِنَّا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ حَسَرَٰتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَمَا هُم بِخَـٰرِجِينَ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who followed will say, "If only we had another turn [at worldly life] so we could disassociate ourselves from them as they have disassociated themselves from us." Thus will Allāh show them their deeds as regrets upon them. And they are never to emerge from the Fire.
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
The Day their plan will not avail them at all, nor will they be helped.