خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ 88
Translations
Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved,
Transliteration
Khālidīna fīhā lā yukhaffafu 'anhumu al-'adhābu wa lā hum yunẓarūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the eternal punishment of disbelievers in Hell, emphasizing that their torment will neither be reduced nor will they be granted respite or delay. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a definitive statement about the permanence and unrelenting nature of divine punishment for those who reject faith and persist in disbelief, highlighting both the justice and severity of Allah's judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the consequences of rejecting divine signs and the fate of disbelievers. The broader context (verses 85-88) addresses those who reject Islam despite clear knowledge, emphasizing that such rejection carries grave eternal consequences. This theme recurs throughout the Medinan surahs as the Muslim community faced opposition from various groups.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the people of Hell: 'A time will come upon the people of Hell that they will hope for relief, but they will find no relief.' (Sahih Muslim 2851). Additionally, the Quran emphasizes in 5:37 that disbelievers will wish to exit Hell but cannot, reinforcing this ayah's meaning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of rejecting divine guidance and the reality of accountability in the afterlife. For believers, it reinforces the importance of gratitude for faith and steadfastness, while offering a warning about the eternal consequences of turning away from truth despite clear understanding.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ ۙ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people.
فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ
So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised -