لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 41
Translations
They will have from Hell a bed and over them coverings [of fire]. And thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Lahum min jahannama mihaadun wa min fawqihim ghawashin wa kathalika najzi al-dhalimuun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of the inhabitants of Hell, depicting their torment from below (a bed/foundation of Hell) and from above (coverings/layers of punishment). The repetition of 'and thus' (wa kathalika) emphasizes that this is how Allah justly recompenses the wrongdoers. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that the 'mihad' (bed) refers to the base of Hell beneath them, while 'ghawashin' (coverings) refers to layers or walls of fire above them, creating a complete enclosure of punishment from all sides.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf's broader narrative about the Day of Judgment and the consequences for those who rejected faith and committed injustices. It follows the description of Hell and precedes the dialogue between the inhabitants of Hell and the inhabitants of Paradise, establishing the theme of divine justice and proportionate punishment for transgressions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Hell: 'The thickness of the wall of Hell is as far as the distance of forty years' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The fire of this world is one part of seventy parts of the fire of Hell' (Sahih Bukhari, from Abu Hurairah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the serious consequences of injustice and wrongdoing, encouraging moral accountability and righteous conduct in this life. It serves as a powerful deterrent against oppression and disbelief, emphasizing that Allah's justice is perfect and inescapable.
Related Ayahs
مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
What comes to you of good is from Allāh, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
إِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ
Indeed, the Hour is coming - I almost conceal it - so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.
ٱقْرَأْ كِتَـٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا
[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant."
يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ٱلْمُبِينُ
That Day, Allāh will pay them in full their true [i.e., deserved] recompense, and they will know that it is Allāh who is the manifest Truth [i.e., perfect in justice].