لَّـٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا 23
Translations
In which they will remain for ages [unending].
Transliteration
Lābithīna fīhā aḥqāban
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Hell remaining therein for ages (aḥqāb - plural of ḥuqb, a lengthy period of time). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as emphasizing the long duration of punishment for the disbelievers, though some note theological discussions about whether this duration is eternal or for extended periods. The context of Surah An-Naba emphasizes divine justice and the reality of the Hereafter, warning of inevitable consequences for those who reject faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period within Surah An-Naba, which is devoted entirely to establishing belief in the Day of Judgment and describing the states of the righteous and the wicked. The surah serves as a warning to the Quraysh who mocked the concept of resurrection, making this verse part of that broader message of accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire will continue to say: Is there any more? Until the Lord places His foot upon it, then it will say: Enough, enough!' (Sahih Bukhari 4736). This hadith relates to the duration and nature of punishment in Hell.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder of the permanence and severity of consequences for rejecting faith, motivating believers to maintain steadfastness and gratitude in this life, while emphasizing the importance of sincere repentance and righteous deeds as safeguards against Hell.
Related Ayahs
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."
أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ
Is that [i.e., Paradise] a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqūm?
مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof; but whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account.
قُلْ تَرَبَّصُوا۟ فَإِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُتَرَبِّصِينَ
Say, "Wait, for indeed I am, with you, among the waiters."