خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ 162
Translations
Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
Transliteration
Khalideen feeha, la yukhaffafu anhumu al-adhab wa la hum yunzaroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the eternal punishment of those who disbelieve, stating they will remain in Hell forever without any reduction or respite from their torment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'khalideen' (eternally abiding) is a definitive description of the disbelievers' state, and the dual negation—neither lightening of punishment nor postponement—underscores the absolute nature of their torment as a consequence of rejecting divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of the Day of Judgment and the fates of believers and disbelievers. It follows the description of those who reject faith and broken covenants, serving as a severe warning about the consequences of persistent disbelief and heedlessness of God's signs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The people of Hell will not die, and the people of Paradise will not die' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the eternity of Paradise and Hell reinforces the concept of 'khalud' (eternal abiding) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a profound reminder that rejection of divine truth carries ultimate and irreversible consequences, encouraging believers to cherish their faith and reflect deeply on accountability. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of sincere belief and repentance while in this life, before the opportunity for change is forever closed.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَةً ۚ قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَهْدًا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ ٱللَّهُ عَهْدَهُۥٓ ۖ أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for [a few] numbered days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allāh? For Allāh will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allāh that which you do not know?"
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَـٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ
Who break the covenant of Allāh after contracting it and sever that which Allāh has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا ٱللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَآ ءَايَةٌ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۘ تَشَـٰبَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
Those who do not know say, "Why does Allāh not speak to us or there come to us a sign?" Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain [in faith].