وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَلِقَآئِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُونَ 16
Translations
But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our verses and the meeting of the Hereafter, those will be brought into the punishment [to remain].
Transliteration
Wa-amma alladhina kafaroo wa kadhdhabo bi-ayatina wa liqai al-akhirah fa-ula'ika fi al-adhabi muhdaroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the fate of those who reject Allah's signs and deny the meeting with Him in the Afterlife—they will be brought forth into punishment. Ibn Kathir explains that 'muhdaroon' (brought forth/present) emphasizes their inevitable confrontation with divine punishment, while Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as a stark contrast to the previous ayah describing the reward of believers, highlighting the ultimate consequences of disbelief and denial.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes a passage in Surah Ar-Rum that contrasts the destinies of believers and disbelievers. It appears in the Meccan period when Muslims faced persecution and ridicule for their belief in the Hereafter—a doctrine the pagan Arabs of Mecca rejected. The ayah provides reassurance to believers that deniers will face accountability despite their present arrogance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2298): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers,' relating to those who reject Allah's signs. Also relevant: Surah Al-Anfal 8:36 - addressing those who deny divine signs and face punishment in the Hereafter.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that rejecting Allah's clear signs and denying the reality of the Hereafter carries grave spiritual consequences, serving as a sobering warning that our choices in this life determine our eternal fate. It should motivate believers to firmly hold onto faith and invite others to truth before it is too late.