قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ 72
Translations
[To them] it will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant."
Transliteration
Qila idkhulu abwaba jahannama khalidina fiha, fa-bi'sa mathwa al-mutakabbirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the entry of the arrogant into Hellfire, where they will dwell eternally. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that the plural 'gates' (abwab) may indicate different levels of punishment or that they are driven into Hell from all directions, symbolizing the complete and inescapable nature of their punishment. The final phrase condemns arrogance (takabbur) as the root cause of their damnation, making Hell an evil and despicable dwelling place for those who rejected Allah's signs and exalted themselves.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Az-Zumar, a Meccan surah that extensively discusses the themes of Tawhid (monotheism), the Day of Judgment, and the consequences of arrogance and disbelief. The broader context (verses 71-72) depicts the scene on the Day of Judgment when the disbelievers and arrogant are cast into Hell, serving as a vivid warning to the Meccan idolaters who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No one will enter Paradise who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart' (Sahih Muslim 91). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Arrogance is rejecting the truth and despising people' (Sahih Muslim 91), directly connecting takabbur to disbelief and rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that arrogance toward Allah and His message leads to the worst possible outcome—eternal punishment in Hell. Believers should cultivate humility before Allah, reject arrogance, and accept His signs with open hearts, recognizing that true honor lies in submission to the Divine, not in worldly pride or self-exaltation.
Related Ayahs
فَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْكُفَّارِ يَضْحَكُونَ
So Today those who believed are laughing at the disbelievers,
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ
For the disbelievers - not easy.
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allāh. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."