مِّن وَرَآئِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ وَيُسْقَىٰ مِن مَّآءٍ صَدِيدٍ 16
Translations
Before him is Hell, and he will be given a drink of purulent water.
Transliteration
Min waraaihi jahannamu wa yusgaa min maaain sadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of those who turn away from Allah's guidance, depicting Hell (Jahannam) awaiting them and their being forced to drink pus (sadid) - the discharge from the wounds of the inhabitants of Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as graphic imagery emphasizing the severity of divine punishment for those who reject faith, with the pus representing the ultimate degradation and suffering of the disbelievers. The ayah serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of turning away from God's signs and guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ibrahim, a Meccan chapter addressing the persistent rejection of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by the Quraysh. The surah contextualizes this verse within a broader discussion of the fate of believers versus disbelievers, where verses 12-17 contrast the blessings granted to grateful believers with the severe punishment awaiting those who deny God's signs. This specific ayah reinforces the theme of inescapable divine justice for the rejecters of truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the punishment of Hell: 'The thickness of the skin of the disbeliever in the Fire is forty-two cubits' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the description of sadid (pus) is mentioned in Surah 69:36 with similar contextual warnings about the punishment of the disbelievers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that rejection of divine guidance has inevitable and severe consequences that extend beyond this worldly life. For believers, it reinforces the importance of gratitude, obedience, and steadfastness in faith, knowing that turning away from God's message leads to a fate worse than any earthly suffering.