هَـٰذِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ ٱلَّتِى يُكَذِّبُ بِهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ 43
Translations
This is Hell, which the criminals deny.
Transliteration
Hadhihi jahannam allatī yukadhdhibu bihā al-mujrimūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents Hell (Jahannam) as a reality that the criminals and evildoers deny and reject in this worldly life. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Allah is pointing to the tangible existence of Hell as a place of punishment, emphasizing that despite the deniers' rejection, it remains an inevitable reality awaiting those who commit sins. The surah's recurring phrase 'Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?' contrasts with this statement, highlighting that while the criminals reject Hell's existence, they cannot escape its truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan surah that emphasizes Allah's countless blessings and the certainty of the Hereafter. This ayah appears in the latter section of the surah where the description of Hell is presented as a counterpoint to the blessings of Paradise mentioned earlier, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Hell-fire complained to its Lord saying, O Lord! My different parts eat one another.' So Allah allowed it to breathe twice a year—once in winter and once in summer. (Sahih Bukhari 3260). This hadith emphasizes the physical reality of Hell as taught in Quranic passages like this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that denying or ignoring spiritual realities does not negate their existence; the consequences of our actions are inevitable regardless of our acceptance. Believers should use this as motivation to reflect on their deeds and seek sincere repentance while in this life.