وَنَادَوْا۟ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ 77
Translations
And they will call, "O Mālik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."
Transliteration
Wa nadaw ya Malika liyaqdhi 'alayna Rabbuka qala innakum makithun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Hell cry out to Malik, the guardian angel of Hell, begging him to petition their Lord to end their existence and suffering. Malik's response—'Indeed, you will remain [forever]'—emphasizes the eternal and inescapable nature of Hell's punishment for those who rejected Allah's signs. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this exchange demonstrates both the desperation of the damned and the immutability of divine justice; there is no escape or reprieve from the consequences of one's rejection of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Az-Zukhruf's description of the Day of Judgment and the fate of the disbelievers. It is situated in a Meccan surah designed to warn the polytheists of Mecca about the reality of the Hereafter and the consequences of their choices, serving as a powerful deterrent against denying Allah's oneness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the horrors of Hell in multiple hadiths. In Sahih Muslim, he mentioned that the inmates of Hell will seek death, but death will not come to them. Additionally, in Jami' at-Tirmidhi, there are descriptions of Hell's keepers and the permanent nature of Hell's punishment for disbelievers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that rejecting divine guidance has irreversible consequences in the Hereafter, and that sincere repentance and faith in this life are the only paths to avoiding eternal punishment. It encourages believers to reflect on their spiritual state and strengthen their commitment to Allah while they still have the opportunity.