وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ 19
Translations
But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left.
Transliteration
Wa alladhina kafaru bi-ayatina hum ashabu al-mash'amah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes Surah Al-Balad by stating that those who reject Allah's signs are the companions of the left hand—a Quranic metaphor for the inhabitants of Hell on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that rejection of clear divine signs (ayat) represents a deliberate turning away from truth, and carries severe consequences in the afterlife. The term 'ashabu al-mash'amah' (people of the left) is contrasted throughout the Quran with 'ashabu al-yameen' (people of the right), denoting the ultimate division of humanity based on their response to divine guidance.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Balad, revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period, addresses the fundamental choice between belief and disbelief. This final ayah provides the conclusion to the surah's message about human responsibility and accountability, reminding the Meccan polytheists of the inevitable consequence of their rejection of the Quranic message and the oneness of Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the people will be divided into groups. Some will enter Paradise and some will enter the Fire.' (Sahih Muslim 2849). Additionally, the Quran mentions in Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:41) the ashab al-mash'amah in detail, describing their state in the Hereafter.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting clear divine signs carries eternal consequences, urging believers to reflect deeply on their acceptance of Allah's guidance and warnings. For modern readers, it emphasizes personal responsibility in discerning and responding to truth, and the gravity of deliberately turning away from clear evidence of God's existence and oneness.