وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا 71
Translations
And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.
Transliteration
Wa in min-kum illa wariduhaa; kana ala rabbika hatman maqdhiyyaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that every soul among you will inevitably pass through Hell (warid it), though this does not necessarily mean entering it permanently—rather, it refers to passing by or experiencing it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a decreed matter from Allah that all creation must witness the reality of Hell, after which the believers will be saved and the disbelievers will remain. The phrase 'hatman maqdhiyyaa' (a determined decree) emphasizes the absolute certainty and divine wisdom behind this cosmic event.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Maryam's broader discussion of the Day of Judgment and the ultimate fate of humanity. It contextualizes the eschatological reality that no one escapes the encounter with Hell, establishing the gravity and universality of divine judgment. This is part of the Meccan period's focus on warning about the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Everyone will enter the Fire, then Allah will save those who feared Him and leave the wrongdoers in it, bowing down' (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith #7410). Related thematically is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Sirat (bridge) that everyone must cross over Hell.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the encounter with divine judgment is inevitable and certain, motivating sincere repentance and righteous action in this life. It also provides comfort that Allah's plan is perfectly wise—the saved will be protected by their taqwa (God-consciousness) while justice is served to all.