سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ 18
Translations
We will call the angels of Hell.
Transliteration
Sanaд'u al-zabāniyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's threat to call upon the angels of punishment (zabāniyah) to seize the one who disobeys and denies the truth. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the zabāniyah are the harsh and severe angels of Hell who execute Allah's punishment, emphasizing the grave consequences of arrogance and rejection of divine guidance. This ayah serves as a powerful warning that defiance of Allah's commands will result in divine retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the closing verses of Surah Al-'Alaq, which was the first chapter revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The surah addresses the arrogance of man who forgets his dependence on Allah and disobeys His commands. This particular ayah is directed at those who prevent the Prophet from praying and worshipping, likely referencing Abu Jahl's hostility toward the Prophet's early preaching in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The concept of zabāniyah is referenced in various hadiths about the punishment of the Fire. See Sahih Muslim's hadith about the angels of Hell being described as harsh and severe in their execution of divine punishment. Additionally, hadiths in Sahih Bukhari describe the consequences awaiting those who reject divine guidance and persist in defiance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that resistance to Allah's will and persistent disobedience carry serious consequences, serving as both a deterrent to wrongdoing and an encouragement toward submission to divine commands. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of humility, obedience, and respect for the boundaries set by Allah, knowing that accountability is inevitable.
Related Ayahs
ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا ۖ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ
The Fire; they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], "Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.
لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَافِعٌ
To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer.
وَأَصْحَـٰبُ مَدْيَنَ ۖ وَكُذِّبَ مُوسَىٰ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ
And the inhabitants of Madyan. And Moses was denied, so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My reproach.