إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ 8
Translations
Indeed, it [i.e., Hellfire] will be closed down upon them
Transliteration
Innaha alayhi mu'sadah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the Fire of Hell is sealed or locked upon the wrongdoers, meaning they will be trapped within it with no escape. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'mu'sadah' (مُّؤْصَدَةٌ) literally means sealed shut or locked, emphasizing the finality and permanence of their punishment. The ayah conveys the severity of consequences for those who mock and ridicule others, which is the central sin condemned in Surah Al-Humazah.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Humazah addresses the sin of backbiting, mockery, and slanderous behavior ('humazah' and 'lumazah'). This ayah appears at the conclusion of the surah as part of the vivid description of the punishment awaiting those who engage in such destructive social conduct. The context emphasizes how seemingly minor character flaws lead to severe eternal consequences.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The backbiter and the one who listens to backbiting will be punished in the Fire' (Narrated in various collections). Additionally, 'Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari, from Abu Hurairah) relates to avoiding the sins addressed in this surah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that sins of the tongue—mockery, backbiting, and slander—carry severe consequences that extend into the eternal realm, serving as a powerful deterrent against destructive speech. It emphasizes the importance of guarding one's words and treating others with dignity and respect in this life.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّتِى لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِى ٱلْبِلَـٰدِ
The likes of whom had never been created in the land?
وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُۥ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُۥ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا
But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allāh has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.
تَصْلَىٰ نَارًا حَامِيَةً
They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire.
فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.