ٱلَّذِى يَصْلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ 12
Translations
[He] who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire,
Transliteration
alladhee yaslaa al-nara al-kubra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the wretched individual who will enter the greatest Fire of Hell. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this describes those who rejected faith and divine guidance, particularly referencing Abi Lahab and those who opposed the Prophet Muhammad. The 'greatest Fire' (al-nara al-kubra) emphasizes the severity and intensity of punishment awaiting the disbelievers in the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-A'la, revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period, addresses themes of divine greatness and accountability. This specific ayah concludes the surah's discourse on human moral choice—contrasting the blessed state of those who purify themselves and remember Allah's name with the doom of those who reject guidance. The reference may allude to specific opponents of the Prophet, though the message applies universally to all who turn away from truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the Hellfire: 'The least punished person in the Fire will be Abi Talib, who will have two coals placed under his feet causing his brain to boil' (Sahih Bukhari 3882). Additionally, the Prophet warned: 'Save yourselves from the Fire even by giving half a date in charity' (Sahih Bukhari 1417), emphasizing the severity of Hell's punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a solemn reminder that rejecting divine truth and guidance leads to the most severe consequences in the afterlife, motivating believers to constantly seek Allah's guidance and purify their hearts from arrogance and denial. It underscores the importance of heeding the message of the prophets while we still have the opportunity to choose righteousness in this life.