هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنَّ لِلطَّـٰغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَـَٔابٍ 55
Translations
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -
Transliteration
Haadhaa wa-inna lil-ttaghheena lasharru ma-aabin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the description of Paradise for the righteous by affirming that while the believers have the best of abodes, the transgressors and rebels against Allah have the worst of returns and final destinations. Ibn Kathir notes that 'ma-aab' (place of return) refers to the final abode in the Hereafter, emphasizing the stark contrast between the eternal rewards of the obedient and the eternal punishment of those who rejected Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter portion of Surah Sad, which is a Meccan surah dealing with themes of belief, disbelief, and the final judgment. The surah contrasts the states of the righteous and the wicked, and this particular ayah serves as a concluding statement emphasizing the justice of Allah's division between the two groups on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character,' (Tirmidhi) - relating to who attains the best abode. Additionally, Surah At-Taubah 9:72 contains a similar theme: 'Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's justice ensures that the righteous will be rewarded with the best of dwellings while those who transgress and reject guidance will face the worst outcome, encouraging adherence to Islamic principles and discouraging rebellion against Allah's commands.
Related Ayahs
يَقُولُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَيْنَ ٱلْمَفَرُّ
Man will say on that Day, "Where is the [place of] escape?"
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَنكَفُوا۟ وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
And as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will not find for themselves besides Allāh any protector or helper.
وَرَبُّكَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
But the ones who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.