وَنَسُوقُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًا 86
Translations
And will drive the criminals to Hell in thirst
Transliteration
Wa nasooqu al-mujrimeena ilaa jahannama wirdan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the criminals and sinners will be driven toward Hell in groups or successive waves (wirdan). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'wirdan' literally means 'in groups coming one after another,' emphasizing the relentless procession of the condemned. The verb 'nasuqu' (we drive/lead) conveys divine authority and the inevitability of their fate, reflecting that their punishment is a certain consequence of their rebellion against Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Maryam, a Meccan surah that frequently juxtaposes the fate of the righteous with the punished. It occurs within the broader eschatological narrative (verses 85-87) that describes the Day of Judgment, contrasting how the righteous will be brought to mercy while the criminals face justice. The thematic context emphasizes the certainty of divine reckoning.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Hell will be brought on that day with seventy thousand reins, and each rein will be held by seventy thousand angels, dragging it.' (Sahih Muslim 2842). Additionally, 'The people of Hell will be driven to it like herds of cattle.' (Tirmidhi 2525)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that those who persist in crime and sin cannot escape divine justice, regardless of their power or worldly status in this life. For believers, it reinforces the importance of repentance and righteous conduct, knowing that accountability before Allah is absolute and inescapable.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.
تَلْفَحُ وُجُوهَهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَهُمْ فِيهَا كَـٰلِحُونَ
The Fire will sear their faces, and they therein will have taut smiles.
رُّسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ حُجَّةٌۢ بَعْدَ ٱلرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allāh after the messengers. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
كُلُوا۟ وَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُم مُّجْرِمُونَ
[O disbelievers], eat and enjoy yourselves a little; indeed, you are criminals.