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
قُلْ هَلْ تَرَبَّصُونَ بِنَآ إِلَّآ إِحْدَى ٱلْحُسْنَيَيْنِ ۖ وَنَحْنُ نَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمْ أَن يُصِيبَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِعَذَابٍ مِّنْ عِندِهِۦٓ أَوْ بِأَيْدِينَا ۖ فَتَرَبَّصُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّتَرَبِّصُونَ
Say, "Do you await for us except one of the two best things [i.e., martyrdom or victory] while we await for you that Allāh will afflict you with punishment from Himself or at our hands? So wait; indeed we, along with you, are waiting."
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.