Al-Balad · Ayah 20

عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌۢ 20

Translations

Over them will be fire closed in.

Transliteration

Alayihim narun mu'asadah

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah describes a fire that is 'closed in' or 'sealed' upon the inhabitants of Hell, indicating a comprehensive and inescapable punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret mu'asadah (مُّؤْصَدَةٌ) as a fire that is locked, enclosed, or sealed from all sides, from which there is no escape or relief. This emphasizes the totality and permanence of the divine punishment for those who reject faith and commit transgressions.

Revelation Context

Surah Al-Balad is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, and this ayah appears in the concluding section that contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the arrogant disbelievers. The surah emphasizes moral accountability and divine justice, warning those who reject guidance about the inevitable consequences.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The fire will be shut upon the people of the fire,' which aligns with the concept of mu'asadah. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths describing the comprehensive nature of Hell's punishment and the impossibility of escape for its inhabitants.

Themes

Divine Justice and PunishmentHell and the AfterlifeConsequences of DisbeliefInescapability of Divine Decree

Key Lesson

This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance has absolute and irreversible consequences, encouraging believers to reflect deeply on their choices and commitment to faith. It underscores that true success lies in following the path of righteousness, as the alternative is a comprehensive and inescapable punishment.

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Related Ayahs

16:45An-Nahl

أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Then, do those who have planned evil deeds feel secure that Allāh will not cause the earth to swallow them or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?

43:55Az-Zukhruf

فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَـٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all.

28:82Al-Qasas

وَأَصْبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا۟ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ۖ وَيْكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ

And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allāh extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allāh had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"

11:64Hud

وَيَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ

And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."