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
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.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.
فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ
And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved.
مِّن وَرَآئِهِمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُم مَّا كَسَبُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا مَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Before them is Hell, and what they had earned will not avail them at all nor what they had taken besides Allāh as allies. And they will have a great punishment.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
And when the messengers came to the family of Lot,