بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَـٰطَتْ بِهِۦ خَطِيٓـَٔتُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ 81
Translations
Yes, [on the contrary], whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
Transliteration
Balā man kasaba sayyi'atan wa-aḥāṭat bihi khaṭī'atuhu fa-ulā'ika aṣḥābu al-nāri hum fīhā khālidūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that whoever commits evil deeds and becomes engulfed by their sins will be among the inhabitants of the Fire, dwelling therein eternally. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to those who persist in sin without repentance and die in a state of disbelief or major disobedience. The phrase 'aḥāṭat bihi khaṭī'atuhu' (his sins have encompassed him) suggests a comprehensive entanglement in wrongdoing that leaves no room for redemption, emphasizing the gravity of accumulated sin.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader passage (2:80-81) addressing the false claims of certain People of the Book who believed they would enter Paradise regardless of their actions. The context refutes their assertion that they possess exclusive salvation, establishing the Islamic principle that deeds and accountability are universal. It responds to their spiritual arrogance and misconceptions about divine mercy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Whoever meets Allah with no partner unto Him shall enter Paradise, and whoever meets Him ascribing partners to Him shall enter the Fire.' (Sahih Muslim 93). Additionally, the hadith regarding the three who will not enter Paradise emphasizes the consequence of dying upon disbelief or major sin (Sunan Ibn Mājah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no one possesses automatic salvation regardless of their actions, and that we are accountable for our deeds before Allah. It underscores the critical importance of seeking repentance and turning away from sin before death, as persistent wrongdoing without tawbah leads to the most severe consequence—eternal separation from Allah's mercy.
Related Ayahs
وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And the evil consequences of what they did will appear to them, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water
وَٱلَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَـٰنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَٔاذُوهُمَا ۖ فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And the two who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
سَيَعْلَمُونَ غَدًا مَّنِ ٱلْكَذَّابُ ٱلْأَشِرُ
They will know tomorrow who is the insolent liar.