فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ 56
Translations
And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers."
Transliteration
Fa-amma alladhina kafaroo fa-u' azzibuhum 'adhaban shadidan fi ad-dunya wa-al-akhirah wa-ma lahum min nasirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares Allah's promise of severe punishment for those who disbelieve, both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, with no one to help or protect them from His punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a divine warning following the mention of Jesus (Isa) and the consequences of rejecting faith in him. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the punishment encompasses both temporal consequences in this life (through defeat, hardship, and calamities) and eternal torment in the Afterlife, with no refuge or supporter available to intercede on their behalf.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion about Jesus and the People of the Book. The broader thematic context addresses the consequences of disbelief and rejection of divine guidance, serving as a solemn warning to those who turn away from Allah's signs and the message brought by His messengers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of 'Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: There is nothing comparable unto Him' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim describes the punishment of the disbelievers in detail when the Prophet describes the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejection of divine truth carries grave consequences both in this life and the eternal life to come, emphasizing that no one can escape Allah's justice or intercede against His punishment without His permission. For believers, it reinforces the importance of faith and obedience while cautioning against arrogance and turning away from guidance.
Related Ayahs
فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَآ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ فَجَاسُوا۟ خِلَـٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولًا
So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.
عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌۢ
Over them will be fire closed in.
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then, do those who have planned evil deeds feel secure that Allāh will not cause the earth to swallow them or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.