فِى سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ 42
Translations
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
Transliteration
Fī samūmin wa hamīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of the inhabitants of Hell, who will be immersed in scorching wind (samūm) and boiling water (hamīm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, samūm refers to an intensely hot, dry wind that burns from the outside, while hamīm is the boiling fluid of the people of Hell that scalds from within. Together, these torments represent the comprehensive nature of hellish punishment affecting both the external and internal states of the damned.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan chapter that vividly depicts the Day of Judgment and the states of the blessed and damned. The broader context describes the three categories of people on the Day of Resurrection, with verses 42-44 specifically addressing the condition of those in Hell (the companions of the left hand), emphasizing the certainty and severity of their punishment.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report various hadiths about the Fire of Hell, including the Prophet's (ﷺ) description that 'the heat of the Fire is seventy times more intense than the heat of this world's fire.' Additionally, Tirmidhi records that the Prophet warned that the people of Hell will experience various forms of punishment according to their deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of Hell's torment, motivating believers to obey Allah's commands and avoid disobedience in this life. It underscores that ultimate justice is guaranteed in the Hereafter, encouraging patience through worldly hardships and steadfastness in faith.