لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِۦ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا 17
Translations
So We might test them therein. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord He will put into arduous punishment.
Transliteration
Linaftinnahum fīhi wa man yuʿriḍ ʿan dhikri rabbihī yaslukhu ʿadhāban ṣaʿadan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the discussion about the diversity of mankind's response to the Qur'an, stating that Allah allows some to be tested through wealth and provision, while warning that whoever turns away from the remembrance of their Lord will be guided into severe punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that 'ṣaʿadan' (translated as 'increasing/severe') emphasizes an escalating and intensifying torment, indicating that rejection of divine guidance leads to progressively harder hearts and greater punishment in the afterlife.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Jinn is a Meccan chapter that addresses the jinn's belief in the Qur'an and their recognition of Allah's oneness, contrasting this with some humans' rejection. This particular ayah appears near the end of the surah, reinforcing the theme that turning away from Allah's message has grave consequences, serving as a warning to those who reject divine guidance despite its clarity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari), emphasizing the importance of engaging with divine remembrance rather than turning away from it.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejection of Allah's message is not without consequence—those who persistently turn away from remembrance of their Lord face escalating spiritual and eternal punishment. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of maintaining connection to divine guidance through the Qur'an and remembrance (dhikr), recognizing that indifference to Allah's message gradually hardens the heart and distances one from mercy.